All cases

Church vandalised and statue destroyed in Rennes Basilica

January 12, 2025, France

Unknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.

Christ Figure Repeatedly Destroyed At Memorial Chapel in Peißenberg

January 10, 2025, Germany

The Christ figure on a field cross near the miners’ memorial chapel on the Neue Bergehalde in Peißenberg was deliberately damaged twice, with both arms broken off. The repeated targeting of the depiction of Christ has raised concern among local community members.

Sacred Objects Targeted in Catholic Church in Schleiden-Gemünd

January 10, 2025, Germany

Unknown perpetrators robbed and vandalised a Catholic church in Schleiden-Gemünd, deliberately targeting religious objects, including a gilded cross and a baptismal font. Water was removed from the font and poured onto the floor.

Repeated vandalism of Salò nativity scene

January 9, 2025, Italy

Unknown persons have vandalised the nativity scene set up by the fire brigade for the local community. The vandals not only damaged the nativity scene, but also urinated on the scene and set off a firecracker in the middle of the hay.

Two arson attacks on Valledoria church in 4 days

January 8, 2025, Italy

The Church of Christ the King in Valledoria has been attacked twice in a very short period of time. The first arson attack took place during the celebration of mass on 5 January, and the second only a few days later, on 8 January.

Unknown perpetrators vandalise religious figures

January 7, 2025, Germany

On the afternoon of 7 January, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Francis Hochdahl in Erkhart. A leg of a religious figure, one of the Three Magi, disappeared and the burglars knocked over several other figures. Police are now investigating and looking for suspects.

Priest receives letter threatening parishioners

January 6, 2025, Italy

In early January, the priest of the San Giovanni Battista parish in Siniscola received a letter containing threats against two of his parishioners. The case is now being investigated by the police.

Debate over refusal of communion and religious autonomy rights

January 6, 2025, Spain

Rubén García de Andrés, mayor of Torrecaballeros, was denied communion by a local priest because of his homosexuality, which he denounced as homophobic. His political party is demanding an apology and threatening legal action. The Diocese of Segovia defended the priest, citing Canon 915, which allows for the denial of communion on moral grounds, and denied any accusations of homophobia. The case raised concerns about the involvement of secular groups in church affairs, which is seen as a potential threat to religious freedom.

Relics stolen from church

January 5, 2025, Germany

As reported on 1 January, unknown perpetrators stole religious relics and a nativity figure from a church in Brendlorenzen, Germany. The incident caused shock among parishioners and local clergy.

Church targeted in sacrilegious theft

January 5, 2025, Italy

Unknown perpetrators have broken into the tabernacle and stolen the vessel containing the consecrated hosts from the Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Trento.

Fire set to nativity scene in Ingolstadt

January 5, 2025, Germany

A nativity scene was burned and vandalised in the Catholic church of St Pius in Ingolstadt. The parish priest reported that "the stable was thrown over down and one figure was completely burnt".

Grave Crosses and Christ Figures Targeted in Repeated Cemetery Vandalism in Appenzell

January 5, 2025, Switzerland

Grave crosses and depictions of Christ were again deliberately damaged at a cemetery in Appenzell, marking a repeated pattern of vandalism targeting Christian symbols. The incidents have raised concern due to the specific destruction of crosses and religious figures.

Theft and Vandalism of Nativity Scene at Mother Church in Augusta

January 5, 2025, Italy

A case of theft and vandalism was reported inside the Mother Church in Augusta, involving damage to a traditional nativity scene.

Desecration and Theft at Church in Sola

January 4, 2025, Italy

Unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of San Lorenzo Martire in Sola, stealing the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts and later scattering them outside the church. As the hosts are of central religious significance in Catholic belief, the act constitutes desecration and has caused particular distress within the local parish community.

Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia

January 4, 2025, Italy

On 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."

San Filippo Neri Church Repeatedly Attacked with Gunfire and Explosives

January 3, 2025, Italy

In Palermo’s Zen district the parish church of San Filippo Neri was repeatedly targeted in a series of violent attacks at the end of December and in the early days of January, with explosions and gunfire directed at the building’s entrances and interior.

Suspected arson attack at church in Skórzewo near Poznań

January 2, 2025, Poland

On 2 January 2025, a fire broke out in a church in Skórzewo near Poznań, Poland, with the parish indicating that it may have been caused by arson. A witness reported seeing a person where the fire started, but the suspect escaped.

Nativity Scene Repeatedly Attacked: Infant Jesus Decapitated

January 2, 2025, Italy

As reported in January 2025, a nativity scene in Empoli was vandalised for the fourth time in recent years. Unknown perpetrators decapitated a statue of the infant Jesus, prompting strong reactions from the local community.

Nativity scene in front of Roncoferraro church vandalised

December 31, 2024, Italy

On the night of New Year's Eve, unknown people destroyed the nativity scene on the square of the Roncoferraro church. The vandals tore to pieces almost all of the particular figures depicting the nativity and scattered the fragments in the surrounding garden. This is not the first time that similar episodes have occurred.

Police prevents terrorist attack on Elche Basilica

December 31, 2024, Spain

Spanish police have foiled a terrorist attack just before Christmas. Four suspects aged between 14 and 17 were arrested on 19 December during a raid in the city of Elche. The group is accused of planning an Islamist terrorist attack on a Christian church.