All cases
Vandalism and Anti-Christian Slogans Target Karlskirche and Antonskirche in Vienna
June 8, 2025, AustriaOn 8 June 2025, a church in Vienna was targeted in a severe act of vandalism involving the destruction of memorial crosses and anti-religious graffiti reading “Islam will prevail”. The incident combined property damage with elements of desecration and ideological messaging.
Orthodox Chapel in Olbia Desecrated on Pentecost Sunday
June 7, 2025, ItalyOn the night of June 7th–8th, 2025, during Pentecost celebrations, the Orthodox chapel of Santa Croce in Olbia, Sardinia, was desecrated in a deeply disturbing attack. The door of the chapel, which is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, was broken open, sacred objects were defiled, and an icon of Christ Pantocrator was destroyed. Parish priest Fr. Nikolay Volskyy described the incident as painful and explicitly anti-Christian, while Don Gianni Satta of the neighboring Catholic parish condemned the act as a cowardly offense against religious faith.
Repeated Vandalism and Desecration Target Church in Trento
June 7, 2025, ItalyA church in Trento was targeted in a fourth attempted break-in, amid a series of incidents involving vandalism and degrading behaviour affecting multiple nearby church sites.
Church in Sindelfingen Vandalised
June 7, 2025, GermanyA church situated on Liebenzeller Straße in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, was targeted in a spree of vandalism. The damage was discovered later that day, with police confirming that unknown individuals had overturned liturgical furnishings, breaking off several candle holders, removing floral arrangements, plant pots, shelving, and other church fixtures, and relocating them to the building’s entrance vestibule.
Germany: Anti-Christian Hate Crimes rise by 22%
June 6, 2025, GermanyThe German Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) recorded 337 politically motivated anti-Christian hate crimes for 2024, an increase of 21.66% from 277 crimes in 2023. This represents a continuation of the negative trend observed in the previous year, during which anti-Christian hate crimes increased by 100%.
Swastika Graffiti Defaces Church in Altmannstein
June 6, 2025, GermanyA church in Altmannstein was vandalised with a swastika, indicating an ideologically charged act targeting a place of worship.
Desecration of Crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie Forest
June 5, 2025, PolandA wooden roadside crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie, Poland, was deliberately vandalised in a shocking incident. The perpetrators sawed off the arms of the figure of Jesus, turned it upside down and draped rubbish over the desecrated image. Locals say this was timed to coincide with a significant celebration at the nearby sanctuary marking the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Our Lady of Pokorna. Residents described the incident as a deeply symbolic and intentional assault on their place of prayer.
Nocturnal Vandalism at Monthey Church: Confessional Left in “Appalling Condition”
June 5, 2025, SwitzerlandA church in Monthey was affected by repeated acts of nighttime vandalism, including misuse of liturgical objects and damage inside the building. The incidents prompted the parish to restrict access.
Vandalism Defaces Fresco in Baveno Church
June 4, 2025, ItalyAs reported on June 4th, the Church complex of Gervaso e Protaso in Baveno, on Lake Maggiore, saw intentional vandalism to one of its Via Crucis frescoes and the toppled external cross. The community reacted with sadness and concern, prompting calls for reflection and collective response.
Religious Statue Stolen from Church in Ashby de la Launde
June 2, 2025, United KingdomA church in Ashby de la Launde was targeted in a theft involving religious objects, including a statue of St Francis of Assisi. The incident has prompted concerns within the local community and led to increased security measures.
Vandalism at St. Michael's Church in Sonthofen
June 1, 2025, GermanyA church in Sonthofen was vandalised with graffiti accusing the institution of abuse. The wording of the message points to a defamatory and accusatory motive beyond material damage.
Spanish Evangelicals banned from using funeral chapels
May 31, 2025, SpainIn May 2025, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) filed a formal complaint with the Spanish ombudsman, denouncing discrimination against the evangelical community in Spain, including a ban on using funeral chapels.
St. Anton's Church in Vienna Vandalised With Anti-Religious Slogans
May 31, 2025, AustriaThe Church of St. Anton of Padua in Vienna’s 10th district, Favoriten, was once again defaced with graffiti, marking the third such incident within a short period. This time, the perpetrators spray-painted a mix of meaningless phrases and clear slogans with religious connotations on the church walls.
Rushmoor Council Withdraws Proposed Ban on Christians Street Preachers
May 31, 2025, United KingdomIn March 2025, Rushmoor Borough Council applied for a court order that would have significantly restricted public expressions of Christian faith—including prayer, singing, and the distribution of religious literature. Following public backlash and engagement with local churches and legal representatives, the Council withdrew the proposed injunction.
Vandals Assault Parishioner And Destroy Church Window During Choir Practice
May 30, 2025, United KingdomOn 30 May, 2025, a choir member was physically assaulted and a historic stained-glass window was broken during an evening rehearsal at St. Mary the Virgin Church in West Derby, Liverpool. This attack deeply shook both the choir members and the wider parish and raises concerns about personal safety in this sacred space.
Swastika Carved Into Church Door
May 28, 2025, GermanyA church in Berlin was vandalised with Nazi symbols, including a swastika and SS runes. Authorities are investigating the incident as ideologically motivated act targeting a place of worship.
Catholic Building Defaced With anti-Catholic Slogan
May 28, 2025, SpainA Mairena del Aljarafe association of Catholic faithful was targeted in a vandalism incident when the exterior of its premises was defaced with the anti‑Catholic slogan "The most beautiful church is the one that burns the most."".
Graphic Depicting Violence Against Christians Shared Ahead of Vienna March for Life
May 27, 2025, AustriaOn 27 May 2025, a graphic portraying violence against a Christian figure was shared on an Instagram account linked to left-wing extremist group in Vienna. The image formed part of a broader series of hostile posts targeting religious groups.
Altar Destroyed in Vandalism Attack on Shrine in Atri
May 26, 2025, ItalyThe Sanctuary of Santa Rita shrine in Atri was vandalised, with the altar overturned and liturgical objects damaged, leaving the faithful and the entire religious community dismayed.
Chapel and cemetery in Levens damaged by fires
May 26, 2025, FranceThe commune of Levens in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France experienced a series of deliberate fires targeting sacred sites. The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and the adjacent cemetery were both affected, with fires being started on the altar cloths in the chapel and in plastic flower pots in front of several graves. These acts of vandalism have left the local community in shock and mourning, particularly as some of the incidents occurred during visits to the cemetery on Mother's Day.