All cases
Threats against Church in Geesthacht
December 19, 2023, GermanyAccording to the local police, St. Salvatoris parish church in Geesthacht, Germany, received a threatening letter. Due to security concerns, the parish had to cancel several events, including the nativity play. The Christmas church service is going to take place with police protection and restrictions.
Vandalism to Bethlehem Church Construction Site in Clamecy
December 19, 2023, FranceThe construction site of Bethlehem Church in Clamecy was broken into and vandalised on December 19, 2023. On site, construction equipment was manipulated, diesel siphoned off and some of the keys to the equipment were stolen.
Repeated theft of Jesus figure from nativity scene
December 19, 2023, SpainOn December 19, the Jesus figure from the nativity scene in Benimaclet, Valencia, was stolen again, only ten days after it had previously been stolen and replaced by a caricature. This time, the vandals did not only steal the Jesus figure, but have also painted the word "eviction" on the wooden planks protecting the crib.
Woman forced off public street by police while praying
December 18, 2023, United KingdomLivia Tossici-Bolt, a 63-year old charitable volunteer, has filed a complaint against officers who forced her off a public street where she was peacefully praying and holding a sign. While the officers accused her of breaching the local "buffer zone" legislation, Mrs. Tossici-Bolt was actually not standing within the zone, as video evidence confirms.
Nativity Scene Figures Beheaded
December 17, 2023, GermanyIn the German town Rüsselsheim all figures of a nativity scene, including the depiction of baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary and the three Wise Men, have been beheaded in an act of vandalism. The damage was discovered on December 17. According to a report, the nativity scene, which was part of a Christmas marked, looked like a battlefield and the figure of Jesus in the manger was found beneath the rubble.
Pectoral Cross of Cardinal Wyszynski Stolen From Pilgrimage Church
December 17, 2023, GermanyA pectoral cross donated to the Church in Ortenburg, Germany, by Cardinal Wyszynski was stolen. Unknown perpetrators brok into the case in which it was stored to steal the cross.
Host and sacred objects stolen from the Holy Family Church
December 17, 2023, PolandOn December 17, the tabernacle of the Holy Family Church in Łódź was broken into and the host as well as monstrances, chalices, cans, and other items were stolen.
Cumbrae Church's Nativity Scence Vandalised
December 16, 2023, United KingdomA Christmas nativity scene at Cumbrae Parish Church was vandalised in Millport. Among other damages, the figure of Mary had been beheaded. The church community is shocked about the incident.
Former auxiliary bishop assaulted and seriously injured
December 16, 2023, GermanyThe former Auxiliary Bishop of Hildesheim, Nikolaus Schwerdtfeger, has been the victim of an attack in his home and is being treated in intensive care.
St Anna church remains closed indefinitely after vandalism and threats
December 15, 2023, GermanySt Anne's Church in Stendal has been closed since December due to vandalism and intimidation. As reported on 28 February the church is still not receiving regular visitors and is only open for worship service.
France refuses Iranian Christian convert asylum
December 15, 2023, FranceAta Fathimaharlooei, an Iranian convert to Christianity, has received a deportation order after his asylum application has been refused in France. A return, however, would be very dangerous as he is threatened with death for apostasy in Iran.
Makovecs Square nativity scene destroyed
December 14, 2023, HungaryOn December 14, a nativity scene displayed on the main square in Markó, Hungary, was destroyed by unknown persons. The nativity scene, which was awarded the most beautiful in the country in 2020, was found with all the human figures decapitated, while the animal figures were untouched. The incident was reported to the police. Some of the figures appear to have been damaged beyond repair.
Stained glass window of St. Martinus Church damaged
December 14, 2023, GermanyOn December 14, damage was caused to St. Martinus Church in Böttingen. An unknown perpetrator smashed the stained glass window integrated into the sacristy's concrete glass window, causing damage amounting to around 1,000 euros. The police are investigating.
Three Christians Sentenced to Jail for Conscientious Objection to Military Service
December 13, 2023, UkraineIn the past months, three Protestant Christians have been sentenced to jail for conscientious objections to military service on religious grounds in Ukraine. One of them, Dmytro Zelensky, is imprisoned after his acquittal was reversed by the Ternopil Appeal Court in August 2023. He has been sentenced to three years in prison and is currently preparing his appeal to the High Court.
Church Door vandalised
December 13, 2023, GermanyOn December 13, the door handle of a church in Marburg was ripped off. The incident has been reported to the police. The damage is estimated at several hundreds of euros.
Church in Piacenza vandalised
December 11, 2023, ItalyOn December 11, the Santa Rita church in Piacenza, Italy, was vandalised, resulting in damages of several thousand euros. Among other things, a cross was destroyed and money was stolen from the offering box.
Graffiti on Church in Bareggio, Nativity scene vandalised
December 11, 2023, ItalyIn Bareggio, the church of the Brughiera has been vandalised by graffiti on the outside walls. The incident came right after a nativity scene on the square of Bareggio was attacked. One figure was destroyed, another broken.
French Minister announces dissolution of Catholic movement 'Academia Christiana'
December 10, 2023, FranceThe French Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced on 10 December that he would present in “the coming weeks” to the Council of Ministers the dissolution of Academia Christiana, a youth-movement of traditional Catholics which since its foundation in 2013 has brought together thousands of young Christians in its training courses and summer schools. According to the minister, the decision was made on the fact that the movement is "inciting hatred and discrimination." Academia Christiana has already announced that they will challenge then ban in court.
Vandalised nativity scene in front of the church of Magenta
December 10, 2023, ItalyOn December 10, the nativity scene on the churchyard of San Rocco in Magenta, Italy was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators cut off the head and arms and legs of the statue of the child Jesus and damaged that of Mary.
Bomb Threat against Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey
December 9, 2023, AustriaOn December 9, the Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the district Baden received a bomb threat. The threatening call came shortly before 5 pm. The police confirmed that the threat had an Islamist motive. According to media reports, the aggressor said on the phone: "Convert to Islam, or I will bomb you." Special police forces promptly searched the public areas of the monastery, but no suspicious items were found on the premises.