All cases
Fire and Vandalism at Roßwein Church
April 6, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday, April 6, unknown persons set fire to a memorial table of the Church in Roßwein and damaged the donation box.
Minors Set Altar on Fire
April 6, 2024, AustriaTwo Children, one of them a 12-year-old boy, set a fire to the Serbian Orthodox Church of Our Lady in Feldkirch causing considerable damage. After searching the unlocked donation boxes for cash, they set the cloth at the altar in the back of the church on fire endangering liturgical objects.
Vandalism and Theft in Den Bosch Church
April 6, 2024, NetherlandsBurglars broke into St. John's Cathedral in Den Bosch, smashed stained-glass windows, emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building and stole a time capsule intended to be opened in the year 2122.
Arson attack on French Church
April 4, 2024, FranceA fire broke out in the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Agneaux on Thursday afternoon, April 4. According to police investigation's initial findings, the fire was intentional.
Desecration of Mission Cross
April 4, 2024, PolandIn the Church of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe in Bogatynia, a Mission Cross was chopped down over night.
Swastika Graffiti Smeared at Church Wall
April 4, 2024, SpainA graffiti with the word "memory" and just below Nazi swastika in red were smeared at the wall of Church of Santa Maria in Marrón in the Cantabria region.
Armenian Church Demolished in Nagorno-Karabakh
April 4, 2024, OtherBetween December 28, 2023 and April 4, 2024, St. John the Baptist Church (S. Hovhannes Mkrtich) in Nagorno-Karabakh was destroyed, according to Caucasus Heritage Watch, referring to satellite pictures. The church was built in 1818 had been a landmark in Shusha/Shushi.
After Two Fires Church Temporarily Closed
April 3, 2024, FranceWithin 24 hours two fires hit the Saint-Serge Church in Angers. On April 2, the altar of the chapel of the Virgin Mary was set on fire. On the next day a fire broke out in front of the Saint-Ambroise statue. A suspect women was spotted and arrested by the police.
Church Smeared with Eggs, Glue and Dog Excrement
April 3, 2024, United KingdomRivertown Church in Shotton was subject to vandalism. Eggs were thrown at the rear door. Previously, glue and dog excrement were smeared on the same door. Furthermore, the church has seen damage to both locks and seats inside. In light of the church’s effort in running a community hub, the incident appears very distressing to volunteers and the church community.
Controversy about secular court ruling on dismissal of a nun under canonical procedure
April 3, 2024, FranceIn an unusual case, a secular civilian court has issued a ruling against the Vatican’s in-house canonical procedures in the case of the dismissal of a French nun from her order and has sparked discussions on religious autonomy. On April 3, the Lorient tribunal ruled in favour of a nun who turned to the French court after being removed from a monastery in Brittany. The Vatican replied in a written statement that such a ruling on "internal discipline and membership in a religious institute" would be a "serious violation of the fundamental rights to religious freedom and freedom of association of Catholic faithful."
Church of Villamarina vandalised
April 2, 2024, ItalyOn April 2, The church of Villamarina in Cesenatico has been targeted by vandals. The incident was captured by surveillance cameras. This is not the first time the parish has been targeted: There have been incidents of vandalism and thefts in the past.
Church starts dialogue project after severe vandalism
April 2, 2024, ItalyOn April 2, the parish priest of the St. Anthony's Oratory in Porto Mantovano, Trento, found the oratory severely vandalised. Next to smashed locks, broken doors and glass, damaged objects and furniture, there was dirt, a swastika and offensive writings on the floor. The incident, was only the latest in a series of vandalism attacks on the oratory. The priest therefore reached out to the community for help.
Scottish 'Hate Speech' Bill Could Limit Freedom of Religion
April 1, 2024, United KingdomThe Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on April 1, 2024. The Act could criminalise expressions of religious convictions, religious and human rights groups fear.
Desecration of Jaén Church
April 1, 2024, SpainResidents of the small village of El Centenillo are shocked by the desecration of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in April. Recordings of a couple having sex at the altar have been circulated through various WhatsApp groups. The diocese has condemned these events and is demanding several reparations to replace the damage to this sacred place.
The Valley of the Fallen Under Threat: Expulsion of Monks and Attack on Religious Heritage
April 1, 2024, SpainThe Valley of the Fallen, a Catholic monument of reconciliation built after the Spanish Civil War, is facing increasing political pressure from the Spanish government. Plans to evict the Benedictine monks, change the religious identity of the site and even remove the monumental cross raise serious concerns about religious freedom and historical revisionism.
Teacher Faces dismissal for Questioning 'Gender Transition' Advice to 8-year-old kid
March 31, 2024, United KingdomA Christian primary school teacher who questioned Stonewall and Mermaids' recommendations to support a "gender transition" of an 8-year-old student without providing any supporting medical data has lost her job and is the subject of numerous regulatory body inquiries. She has filed a complaint with the Employment Tribunal accusing the school of victimising her for making a complaint, unfair dismissal, and discrimination based on her religion.
Liturgical clothings and procession flags stolen from church
March 31, 2024, GermanyOn March 31, a stole, procession flags and clothing were stolen from the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary in Scheinfeld, Germany. The perpetrator was apparently hiding in the confessional during mass before stealing the objects. The man also damaged the confessional, which caused damage of approximately 200 euros.
Man Insults Congregation and Attacks Liturgical Servant During Mass
March 30, 2024, PolandA 38-year-old disrupted the Holy Saturday celebrations at the All Saints parish in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. Entering the altar area, he loudly shouted vulgar words from the pulpit. When being asked to leave the altar stage, he attacked one of the liturgical servants as well as a police officer during arrest.
Thwarted Terrorist Attack on Notre Dame de Paris
March 30, 2024, FranceAn Egyptian man with links to ISIS has been arrested over a suspected terrorist attack on the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, as became known in the media on March 30. The man was arrested on March 5 by officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI). Thanks to the work of the domestic intelligence services, the terrorist was identified, arrested for "criminal terrorist association" and placed in pre-trial detention.
"Never again!" Banner Stolen from Church Fence
March 30, 2024, GermanyIn the night from Good Friday to Holy Saturday, unknown perpetrators removed a banner from the fence of St Sebastian's parish and stole it. The campaign slogan: "Never again! - Strong together for democracy and against right-wing extremism!" Investigations are ongoing.