All cases
Virgin del Carmen Statue and Shrine Damaged for the Fourth Time
May 25, 2024, SpainVandals broke the shrine and damaged the statue of the Virgin del Carmen in Rincón de la Victoria by throwing stones. The incident was the fourth targeting the religious site and prompted a police investigation and public condemnation.
Vandalism in St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen
May 24, 2024, GermanyOn Friday evening, May 24, an intoxicated man committed an act of vandalism and damaged the St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen. According to the police, the man went on a rampage in the chapel "like a madman". The man smashed objects, flower decorations and destroyed plaster angels. He also tore down a crucifix and ripped off the hand of a statue of a saint. The police arrested a 32-year-old suspect. According to the initial estimate, the damage amounts to 10,000 euros.
Statue and church vandalised in Diespeck
May 24, 2024, GermanyOn 24 May 2024, around 6:30 p.m., a 40-year-old man entered the cemetery chapel in Diespeck and damaged a wooden statue of Jesus, breaking off its arm.
Vandalism in the Lutheran church in Diespeck
May 24, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday, May 25, vandalism was reported at the local Lutheran church. An unknown individual damaged a pew, scattered flyers and brochures, and left waste inside the building. The estimated damage is €100.
Vandalism of statues in Szydłowo
May 24, 2024, PolandUnknown perpetrators have painted defaced statues of Mary and Jesus in a roadside chapel in Szydłowo. In red colour they painted the eyes, nails and mouths. "This is a shameful and blasphemous act. It appears to have been done consciously and boldly during the day.", the local parish priest, Fr. Maruszewski said.
Vandalism in the church of Sant'Angelo Magno
May 20, 2024, ItalyOn May 20, it was discovered that unknown vandals had broken inside the Church of Sant'Angelo Magno and destroyed candelabras, a crucifix, a statue, sacred vestments, and the 17th-century organ.
Stone Cross Destroyed in Act of Vandalism
May 20, 2024, SpainA historic Christian cross in Órgiva was toppled and broken in a deliberate attack.
Vandals set fire to altar in Dannevoux church
May 19, 2024, FranceOn Pentecost, Sunday, May 19, between 9 am and 7.30 pm, in the church of Saint-Hippolyte in Dannevoux (Meuse), an act of vandalism was recorded and caused over €1,500 worth of material damage. According to a news report, fire was set to the altar. Fortunately, it was quickly extinguished with water from the holy water font, thus avoiding potentially dramatic consequences. The fire did, however, cause some damage to the altar. The tablecloth, base and column were partially burnt.
Police accused of pressuring Tory party to unseat Councillor Stevens
May 18, 2024, United KingdomMedia revealed that a police detective allegedly put pressure on the Wellingborough local Tory party to unseat councillor Anthony Stevens after Mr. Stevens had defended the freedom of speech of a Christian street preacher and a Christian councillor. According to reports, the police detective explained that “in her opinion” Mr Steven was “not a fit person to be a councillor” because of his free speech beliefs and used internal information ton put pressure on the local chair of the committee. The incident happened just before the police searched and detained Cllr Stevens for supporting the freedom of speech case of Christian councillor King Lawal on his personal Twitter account in August 2023. The incident has prompted accusations of political interference by police.
"Allah" graffiti on Christ Church in Philippsburg
May 17, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators daubed the facade of the Protestant Christ Church with the word "Allah" in Arabic language. The words were written with neon pink spray paint on the door and the wall. The town's inhabitants are shocked about the incidents, local media says.
Vandalism at of San Lorenzo
May 16, 2024, ItalyIn Perugia, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, forcibly detaching the metal railing in front of the Jubilee Door created by artist Artemio Giovagnoni. The damage occurred on the side of the cathedral and required considerable force, as the railing had been securely fastened to both the travertine column and the pavement.
"Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?"
May 16, 2024, United KingdomSebastian Vaughan-Spruce was fined on May 16th in Birmingham while standing in a buffer zone near an abortion clinic. Among other things, the police asked him "Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?", in order to establish whether he was committing a crime. Sebastian replied that he was not praying silently in his head and further clarified: "I did not approach anyone, I did not speak to anyone, I did not breach anyone's privacy. I simply stood silently." He carried no sign either. The police could not tell him which crime he was committing, but nevertheless asked him to move away and leave the zone. When he inquired why, he was fined for not moving.
Church of the Holy Trinity near Peć vandalised with Islamist graffiti
May 15, 2024, KosovoUnknown individuals broke into the Church of the Holy Trinity a village near Peć and vandalised it with graffiti. The messages included “Allah Akbar,” as well as Albanian phrases such as “Remove this church from here,” “Only Muslims are here,” “We don’t want churches, we want mosques,” and “Islam is the only true religion!”
Attempted petrol bomb arson attack on Glasgow Baptist Church
May 15, 2024, United KingdomOn Wednesday, May 15, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to Dennistoun Baptist Church in Glasgow with a petrol bomb which exploded in front of the entrance door of the church. Images show the charred pavement in front of the church. Police received reports of attempts to damage Dennistoun Baptist Church on Finlay Drive at around 10:50 a.m., and an investigation has been launched.
Catholic cemetery in Smorgon vandalised
May 15, 2024, BelarusOn Wednesday, May 15, unknown perpetrators set fire to a 19th century large brick chapel on the catholic cemetery in the town of Smorgon in Belarus. An image of Jesus and the roof of the chapel was burned. Parishioners are convinced that there was an act of profanation.
Arson and Vandalism in Sainte-Thérèse de Poitiers
May 14, 2024, FranceOn May 14, benches were gathered in heaps and set on fire in front of the choir in the church of Sainte-Thérèse in Poitiers. Furthermore, a statue of Mary was beheaded by the vandals.
Statue of Padre Pio Vandalised at Church in Pescara
May 13, 2024, ItalyOn 13 May 2024, residents of the Colle Pineta hill in Pescara discovered that a statue of Padre Pio had been vandalised and thrown onto the asphalt outside the “Santa Famiglia” parish church, resulting in its destruction. The statue had stood near the church entrance.
Man armed with knife caught in church
May 13, 2024, PolandOn Monday, May 13, a 40-year-old man entered a church in Czaplinek with a knife while a First Communion service for children was taking place. The adult worshippers overpowered the man and called the police. The latter detained him for disrupting the service. According to witnesses, the man was dressed all in black, held a long kitchen knife and was walking towards the priest.
LibDems reported to EHRC for deselecting Christian candidate
May 12, 2024, United KingdomMore than 400 party members filed a complaint with the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission which accuses the Liberal Democrats of deselecting a candidate based on his Christian faith in breach of equality law and having tolerated a “hostile environment” for people of faith. David Campanale, an Anglican believer and award-winning former BBC journalist has been targeted by an activist group within the party who has been lobbying against him because of his Christian believes since his selection as a candidate in 2021. The campaign alleged that he had not sufficiently disclosed his faith during the selection process, which he denies, and complained that a decade earlier he had been a member of the Christian People’s Alliance (CPA).
Islamic graffiti on church wall in Vienna
May 12, 2024, AustriaNext to the entrance to the church of St. Anthony of Padua slogans written in black pen appeared on the wall. "Islam will win, with you or without," and "Deen over Dunya" ("Religion over worldly life") are just some of the numerous slogans on the wall. Some of the words have been crossed out or replaced, but the graffiti has not been removed.