All cases

Analysis: Increased anti-Christian vandalism during the Christmas season

January 26, 2024, Italy

OIDAC Europe's analysis shows an increase of anti-Christian incidents over Christmas. Next to tightened security due to terrorism threats to some major churches in European cities, a high number of vandalism of nativity scenes in Italy is raising concerns.

Eggs Thrown at Church

January 26, 2024, Germany

An unknown perpetrator threw eggs at the entrance doors of a church. This caused property damage and the police are investigating for the offense of disrupting the practice of religion.

Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg

January 26, 2024, Germany

An unknown perpetrator threw rotten eggs at the five doors of St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg. The parish priest said he did not believe that this was simply a joke by youth. This is not the first time the church has been targeted.

Church in Saint-Chély-d'Apcher vandalised with red spray paint

January 26, 2024, France

On the night of Thursday, January 25 to Friday, January 26, 2024, the facades of the church in Saint-Chély-d'Apcher was vandalised with red spray paint.

Vandal Targeted Haussy Church: Religious Statues Stolen and Defaced

January 26, 2024, France

A man was identified after stealing sacred objects and vandalizing a statue inside the Saint-Pierre church in Haussy, France.

Church vandalised with spray-painting

January 24, 2024, Germany

On the evening of January 24, the church of St Jodok was vandalised. An unknown person painted the façade of the church and the entrance area. A political motivation for the graffiti has been ruled out. Graffiti damage amounts to €1,000. The police are appealing for witnesses.

Thieves Steal Cross and Statutes from Salford Church

January 22, 2024, United Kingdom

A statue of Jesus on a crucifix was stolen from outside a church using an electric saw. Along with a kneeling angel and a kneeling figure of St Bernadette.

Metropolitan Longin attacked in Bancheny

January 22, 2024, Ukraine

On the night of January 22, 2024, an unknown person attacked the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Longinus of Bancheny, severely striking the bishop in the face. Metropolitan Longin lost consciousness, and surgery was performed on his eyelids.

Basque Protest Group Interrupts Mass and Vandalises Churches

January 21, 2024, Spain

Members of "Defentsa Komunitatea", a youth section of the Basque independence and nationalist movement, interrupted a mass throwing leaflets and fake money. During the last weeks some churches in Azpeitia and Beasain, as well as churches in Lasao, Arroa and Aizarna, have also been vandalized by members of that same group.

Vandalism to the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

January 21, 2024, Russia

In the Kalininsky district of St. Petersburg, vandals painted the walls of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Peter the Great Polytechnic University (SPbPU). The archpriest said that unknown persons painted offensive slogans on the wall of the building. The police are currently investigating.

Church vandalised with anti-Semitic slur

January 19, 2024, Netherlands

On January 19, an anti-Israel tag "F*ck Israel" was discovered on the floor of the New Church of Putten in Gelderland, the Netherlands. On New Year's Eve 2023, the memorial space in the same Veluwe village was also covered with a green star of David and the date "7 October 2023". This was a direct reference to the day when Hamas carried out a major terrorist attack on Israel, killing 1200 people.

Cemetery vandalism

January 16, 2024, Spain

On January 16, some hooded men, during the early morning, destroyed the graves and tore off crosses and other religious images from the cemetery of Espinardo, Murcia, in order to steal them.

Parish priest in Varapodio physically attacked

January 15, 2024, Italy

On January 15, Father Giovanni Rigoli, the parish priest of Varapodio, was attacked and intimidated after a funeral service at the parish church of Santo Stefano.

Vandalism and Desecration of Bible in Ossingen Church

January 14, 2024, Switzerland

Over the weekend of 13-14 January, the Reformed Church in Ossingen (Weinland Mitte) was vandalised. According to local news reports, the perpetrator also tried to set fire to the Bible on display.

Church walls vandalised with Nazi symbols

January 13, 2024, Poland

On 13 January 2024, the walls of the Protestant Church of Peace in Świdnica, Lower Silesia, were vandalised and painted with Nazi symbols and slogans insulting Prime Minister Donald Tusk. One suspect has been arrested.

Teaching Assistant Wins Legal Case After Being Fired for Street Preaching

January 12, 2024, United Kingdom

In March 2022, Andy Nix, 65, was called to the headteacher's office from Temple Moor High School and interrogated about his street preaching in the summer of 2021. This happened after some students complained that his street preaching made them feel "unsafe". He was fired on the spot and had to leave the school premises immediately. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), Mr Nix took legal action against the school claiming harassment, discrimination and a breach of his right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Now, the school decided to settle the case and pay him £7,000 in compensation instead of going to trial.

UPDATE: Prosecutor Will Take Päivi Räsänen Case to The Supreme Court

January 12, 2024, Finland

After the Court of Appeal cleared Päivi Räsänen of all charges in November 2023, the prosecutor has decided to take the case against the Finnish politician to the Supreme Court of Finland. The case started back in 2019 due to do social media postings by Mrs. Räsänen, in which she quoted a bible verse and asked the Finnish Lutheran Church to stop the support of the Helsinki Gay Pride Parade. Part of the charges were also directed against the Lutheran bishop Juhana Pohjola, who published a booklet by Mrs Räsänen about the Christian teaching on marriage and family.

Glass door of Guildford Cathedral smashed to pieces in senseless vandalism act

January 12, 2024, United Kingdom

As reported on January 12, vandals have caused considerable damage to the iconic glass panes at Guildford Cathedral. The door, which had sentinel angels engraved by a renowned glass artist, has been smashed. The Cathedral team said they were devastated by a “senseless act of vandalism at a holy place.”

Prayer book set on fire in church

January 12, 2024, Germany

On January 12, someone set fire to a prayer book in the Weihenlinden church in Germany. Thanks to the quick action of the people who were in the church, the damage was limited to a few pages of the book. Earlier, two children had pointed out a man smoking next to the book of wishes. The police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses.

Fire set on church of San Matteo

January 9, 2024, Italy

On January 9, someone set fire to wooden pallets leaning against the walls of the Salesian Oratory of San Matteo in Messina, Italy. The fire blackened the walls of the church and the pavement. The incident was reported to the police by the oratory's director, Don Gabriele Cardaciatto. "We consider certain behaviours to be absurd and unseemly incivility," said Raffaele Verso, President of the V Municipality of Messina.