All cases
Suspected arson attack at church in Skórzewo near Poznań
January 2, 2025, PolandOn 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, ItalyAs 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, ItalyOn 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, SpainSpanish 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.
Sanctuary vandalised with fireworks in Ribordone
December 31, 2024, ItalyOn New Year's Eve, unknown vandals caused extensive damage to the exterior walls of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto in Ribordone. Locals are calling for more security measures as this isolated church is frequently vandalised.
Church closed due to vandalism
December 30, 2024, GermanyThe town church in Lauterbach is closed to visitors due to vandalism. Two unidentified youths smashed two stained glass windows with lead frames. Several items have been stolen in recent incidents, including a Bible and an Easter candle.
Figures stolen and replace with caricatures
December 30, 2024, PolandIn the Strzelce district, an unknown person has stolen statues of saints from two roadside shrines and replaced them with strange caricatures. Police are investigating.
Two nativity scenes vandalised in Ostiano
December 30, 2024, ItalyDuring the night of 30 to 31 December, someone destroyed two nativity scenes in the town centre of Ostiano and in the churchyard. The statues of the infant Jesus, the sheep and Mary were overturned and the statue of Saint Joseph was destroyed.
Three suspects arrested after shooting at Istanbul church association
December 30, 2024, TurkeyThree suspects have been arrested following a shooting at the Association of Salvation Churches in Istanbul. On 30 December, three gunmen arriving in a commercial vehicle opened fire at the association's building in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Image of Infant Jesus destroyed in Valencia
December 30, 2024, SpainThe Nativity Scene of Cullera, in the Valencian Community, has been vandalised with the destruction of an image of the Infant Jesus.
Arson on previously attacked church in Regnano
December 29, 2024, ItalyOn 29 December, the back wall of the parish house in Regnano was set on fire. Only two weeks earlier, the door to the bell tower of the church had also been vandalised and destroyed.
Religious image attacked
December 28, 2024, SpainSomeone smashed the protective glass of the Cristo del Puente image in Ceuta with a rock in a niche in the church on 28 December, and the image had to be moved to another parish.
Statue of Infant Jesus stolen from the nativity scene
December 28, 2024, ItalyA figure of the Infant Jesus from the nativity scene on the steps of the church in Levico Terme has been stolen during the night during the night.
Man riots in church
December 28, 2024, GermanyIn Cologne-Ehrenfeld, a man caused extensive damage to St Joseph's Church, destroying nativity figures and throwing burning candles around the church.
Vandalism and fireworks set off in church
December 28, 2024, GermanyA church in Lilienthal, Germany, was vandalised on 28 December. The offenders entered the unlocked church building and set off fireworks, among other things. They also damaged several organ pipes.
Nativity scene in Roque-Gageac set on fire
December 28, 2024, FranceA nativity scene set up by the local council in the village of Dordogne burnt down on the night of Friday 27 to Saturday 28 December. Although investigations are still underway, the mayor strongly suspects that the fire was deliberately set.
Threats Shouted at Pro-Life Demonstrators
December 28, 2024, SpainA group of Christian pro-life demonstrators were threatened and insulted by a group of feminists who approached them in the street. They shouted slogans such as "We must burn the Episcopal Conference for being sexist and patriarchal".
Youths destroy vandalise church and destroy Christmas tree
December 27, 2024, United KingdomChristmas trees, flower arrangements and a tree to help people remember their loved ones were smashed by a group of teenage girls at St Andrew the Apostle Church in Holt, Norfolk, on 27 December. The church has to be closed except for services.
Cross in Gdańsk set on fire
December 27, 2024, PolandGdańsk police have arrested a 45-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a wooden cross. As a result of the incident, the painting of Mary hanging on the cross was burnt and the perpetrator also broke the fence surrounding the cross. The total damage was estimated at 10,000 zloty.
A Mural Depicting the Crucified Christ was Spray-Painted with a Swastika
December 27, 2024, SpainIn late December 2024, the Cristo del Amor image in Vélez-Málaga was vandalised with a swastika and obscured face, sparking outrage over the desecration of a beloved devotional site.