All cases
Vandalism of church doors in Prato
January 18, 2025, ItalyUnknown vandals have caused serious damage to both the main and side doors of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Carceri in Prato. The incident, described by the local bishop as a "serious and senseless gesture", is being investigated by the police.
Sacrilegious Theft in Czarna Parish
January 18, 2025, PolandUnknown perpetrators broke into the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Czarna and stole several liturgical objects, including a chalice and a container for hosts. The incident caused shock among parish clergy and local residents.
Islamist Bomb threats to church in Palencia
January 18, 2025, SpainTwo Islamist bomb threats against a church via a Telegram group caused great concern and prompted the immediate deployment of security forces in the city of Palencia.
Religious Statue Forcibly Removed and Stolen
January 17, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators stole a statue of St Martin from a monument in front of the monastery church in Aldekerk, Germany. The incident caused significant shock among local residents.
Bible Stolen from Church
January 17, 2025, ItalyUnknown perpetrators stole a Bible from the ambo of the Church of Sant’Anna in Cagliari, Italy. The parish reported the incident with concern, noting that the church had repeatedly been targeted by disruptive behaviour and theft.
Swiss Federal Court Bans Subsidies for Catholic Girls' school
January 17, 2025, SwitzerlandThe Federal Court sitting in Lausanne has withdrawn from the Catholic girls' school Saint Katharina of Wil (Canton of Saint-Gall) the possibility of receiving public funds, considering that being Catholic and reserved for girls, it practices "discrimination".
Vandalism at St Matthew's Cemetery in Cainscross
January 16, 2025, United KingdomVandalism at the churchyard of St Matthew’s Church in Cainscross has caused distress among families. The incident affected a space of religious significance for the local community.
School counsellor sacked for promoting Christian views on marriage
January 16, 2025, United KingdomGozen Soydag, who was sacked from a Catholic school in February 2023 for publicly promoting traditional Christian beliefs on marriage, has received news that the court has rejected all her claims. Ms Soydag will appeal the decision as she feels she is being discriminated against because of her faith.
"Low-status" prisoners in Belarus banned from religious practice
January 16, 2025, BelarusIn a growing assault on religious freedom, several prisoners in Belarus are being denied any contact with religious services or members of the clergy because they are considered 'low status'. The ban even prevents them from possessing religious literature or devotional objects.
Several graves vandalised in Coron
January 16, 2025, FranceDuring the night of 15 to 16 January, several graves in the cemetery of Coron (Maine-et-Loire) were vandalised by unknown persons. The plaques were broken and the marble slab on top of one grave was smashed.
41 tombstones on church cemetery smeared with Nazis symbols
January 15, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators vandalised a cemetery in Berlin-Heiligensee, Germany, damaging numerous gravestones and other property with extremist symbols. The incident is being investigated by police.
Figure of Jesus vandalised and thrown in the garbage
January 15, 2025, PolandOn the night of 14-15 January, unknown offenders committed an act of vandalism in the cemetery of the Parish of the Nativity of St John the Baptist in Tychy-Cielmice, Poland. The oak cross was destroyed with an axe, and the figure of Jesus was removed from the cross, smashed and thrown into a rubbish bin. The police are now investigating.
UPDATE: £7,500 PROSECUTION COSTS FOR HOLDING BIBLE VERSE SIGN
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January 2025, the Crown Court rejected Stephen Green's appeals and confirmed his guilty verdict. The Christian preacher will now have to pay more than £7,500 in fines and prosecution costs for silently holding a Bible verse.
Occult vandalism at Lyndhurst church
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January, a severed deer head was found on the porch of St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst. A similar incident occurred at the same church four years ago.
Teacher Sacked for Christian Beliefs Appeals Tribunal Decision
January 14, 2025, United KingdomBen Dybowski, a teaching assistant in Wales, was sacked after expressing his Christian views during a school seminar on diversity. Although the Education Workforce Council found no wrongdoing, an employment tribunal rejected his claim of harassment. He is now appealing the decision, raising concerns about the treatment of Christian teachers in Europe.
Religious Autonomy at Risk: Spain Investigates Dioceses under Trans Equality Law
January 14, 2025, SpainThe Spanish Ministry of Equality launched an investigation against seven Catholic dioceses over alleged breaches of the 2023 Trans Equality Law, following a complaint by the Spanish Association Against Conversion Therapies. As the law contains very vague wording—criminalising any “method (...) aimed at modifying the sexual orientation or gender identity” of an individual, even with their consent—it could potentially criminalise Catholic teaching and pastoral care around issues of sexual morality. Sanctions under the law include fines of up to €150,000 and exclusion from public funding.
Nativity scene in Bernay church defaced with atheist inscription
January 13, 2025, FranceDuring the Christmas holidays, unknown vandals defaced a crib in the church of Sainte-Croix in Bernay with an atheist inscription. The parish has already reacted and called for a spirit of dialogue.
Suspected arson attack on church in Borgholm
January 13, 2025, SwedenA fire inside a church in Borgholm is being investigated as a suspected arson attempt after smoke developed from an object inside the building. Authorities found no natural cause for the incident.
Second attack on Rennes Basilica within days
January 13, 2025, FranceFollowing the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary a few days ago, unknown perpetrators have again vandalised the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. This time, a statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated. The city of Rennes is facing a serious wave of hate crimes against Christians.
Nativity scene destroyed in Persico Dosimo
January 12, 2025, ItalyOn the night of 11 January, unknown perpetrators seriously damaged a nativity scene in the churchyard of the Dosimo parish church. Several figures were smashed to pieces, a gesture that caused great indignation among the local population.