All cases
18 churches pelted with eggs during the night
March 7, 2024, GermanyThe Lindenberg police department has solved a series of acts of vandalism that have kept the communities in the West Allgäu region on tenterhooks over the past few months. A total of 18 church doors and church façades were pelted with eggs by unknown persons during this period. The eggs were often painted black or labelled with red letters and numbers.
Objects from church art project stolen and vandalised
March 7, 2024, SwitzerlandIn recent weeks, unknown persons have stolen or vandalised five works from a church art project at the Heiliggeist Church Bern.
"Palestine" graffiti on Italian Church
March 5, 2024, ItalySan Benedetto church in Brindisi was found smeared with red paint. The ancient portal and another entrance of the church were smeared, and "Palestine" was written on the stairs.
Priest harassed and attacked
March 5, 2024, SerbiaAn unknown man physically attacked a priest of the Diocese of Bačka of the Serbian Orthodox Church while he was performing regular parish duties on the street in Novi Sad. The perpetrator quickly walked away and escaped.
Priest faces up to three years in prison for criticising Islam
March 5, 2024, SpainAs reported by the Catholic News Agency on March 5, Fr. Custodio Ballester, parish priest from Barcelona, and two other individuals received a summons from a provincial court in Spain in February to answer charges of an alleged “hate crime” for criticising Islam. The charges were initially brought in 2020, when Catalonia's public prosecutor claimed that Fr. Ballester's 2016 article entitled 'The impossible dialogue with Islam' met the criteria of a 'hate crime'. If convicted, Ballester faces up to three years in prison and a fine of more than EUR 1,500.
Ahlen church closed due to repeated vandalism
March 4, 2024, GermanyDue to repeated vandalism the St Mary church in Ahlen decided to keep its doors shut outside church services. A board on the door indicates: "Currently closed due to vandalism".
Sant Antoni Abat Church smeared with red paint
March 3, 2024, SpainIn the early hours of March 3, the walls of the Sant Antoni Abat parish church have been smeared with red paint. The church is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Sa Pobla Local Police have accused a group of six young people of the vandalism.
Assault on a priest during a burglary in Battipaglia
March 1, 2024, ItalyThe rectory of the Church of St Gregory VII in the Sant'Anna district of Battipaglia, in the province of Salerno, has been robbed. The burglars stole precious objects and offerings worth 30,000 euros. They also assaulted the young assistant parish priest who tried to stop them. At least six members of the gang were involved in the robbery, which took place shortly after 8pm on 1 March in the parish priest's house. The priest was rescued and taken to Santa Maria della Speranza hospital in Battipaglia. He suffered only minor injuries and bruises.
Damage to church entrance
March 1, 2024, GermanyOn March 1, an unknown perpetrator damaged the staircase in front of the Catholic parish in Waldsee, Germany, rendering it unusable for the public.
State restrictions at Navalny funeral ceremony
March 1, 2024, RussiaRussian authorities have implemented significant restrictions that interfere with Christian Orthodox funeral rituals during Navalny's burial. Many fear further violations of the right to manifest one's religion or belief by hindering the religious funeral ceremony.
Suspected Arson at St Matthew Church
March 1, 2024, GermanyIn the early hours of Friday 1 March, St Matthew's Church in Berlin was the scene of several fires. Police are investigating arson.
Consecrated Hosts and Religious Objects Stolen from Church
March 1, 2024, ItalyIn March 2024, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of Santa Maria ad Nives in Bovalino Superiore by forcing open a side door. They stole several sacred items, including a reliquary medallion containing a hair of the Virgin Mary and the consecrated Host from the tabernacle. The theft was discovered shortly before Mass, which was then moved to another nearby church.
Theft of liturgical objects from church in Żychlin
March 1, 2024, PolandOn Friday, March 1, during the Stations of the Cross, the parish priest noticed that a lavabo, a liturgical vessel, had disappeared from the church in Żychlin. The lavabo is a jug with a bowl for washing hands during the liturgy. Additionally, a wooden cross with glasses containing fragments of rocks and sand from the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, which was located on the main altar, was also missing.
Prayer Gathering in Frankfurt attacked
March 1, 2024, GermanyA prayer gathering conducted by "40 days for life" outside an abortion clinic was violently disrupted and the participants were threatened by a group of activists.
40 graves vandalised at cemetery in Fresselines
February 29, 2024, FranceOn February 29, a resident of Fresselines, on his way to the family crypt, discovered the unprecedented vandalism in the Creuse cemetery. Unknown perpetrators had desecrated around 40 graves: between some graves plates had been moved or broken, pots had been thrown to the ground. Some slabs had also been unscrewed and piled up on the ground. Stelae and plaques had been broken or moved.
Pepper spray attack against Christian missionary
February 28, 2024, AustriaOn the afternoon of February 28, Christian missionary Lahzy Mahfonz Hefzalla Girgis has been attacked with pepper spray at Vienna’s central Stephansplatz. While Mr Girgis was having conversation with a Syrian person, two other allegedly Syrian men approached him. One of the Syrian men shouted "Jesus is God" mockingly and sprayed pepper spray into Mr Girgis' eyes. Lahzy Girgis had to be treated in hospital.
Landmark ECJ ruling recognises conversion in subsequent asylum application
February 28, 2024, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)In a landmark ruling the European Court of Justice has decided that a conversion to Christianity after the flight should be recognised as grounds for asylum if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he has changed his religion out of "inner conviction".
18th century church in Pliego vandalised with graffiti
February 28, 2024, SpainAs reported on February 28, the walls of the Virgen de los Remedios Church in Pliego, Murcia, has been defaced with graffiti. The church, dating back to the 18th century, is a cultural asset. Two young people, one of them a minor, are suspected of the vandalism.
Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross
February 26, 2024, GermanyOn February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.
Theft and excrement in the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori
February 26, 2024, ItalyOn February 26, thieves broke into the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori in Vasto and stole offerings from the donation box. The perpetrators furthermore left human excrement on the floor of the church. The parish priest expressed his shock and disgust about this gesture of degradation and disrespect.