All cases

Several religious statues stolen

July 28, 2023, France

A recent and rather large statue of Mary of Fatima was stolen from the Notre Dame church in Niort, in the Deux-Sèvres diocese of Poitiers, on 28 July. However, this is not an isolated case.

6th Vandalism incident at church in Høvik

July 28, 2023, Norway

Høvik Church in Bærum has been damaged by vandals several times. Many stones have been thrown at the church windows and there has also been a break-in at the parish house opposite the church.

Hermitage in Puente de Génave desecrated

July 27, 2023, Spain

One July 27, the San Juan Bautista hermitage in Peñolite, Puente de Génave, was broken into and desecrated.

Man uses stolen cross to injure another man

July 27, 2023, Germany

On July 27, a man stole a cross and a priest stole from St. Joseph church in Ebersberg, Bavaria. Wearing the stole, he then used the cross to attack another man.

Sweden: Christian Bakery Reported After Declining To do a Homosexual Wedding Cake

July 26, 2023, Sweden

At the end of July, it was communicated that a Swedish bakery has been reported to the Discrimination Ombudsman after they declined to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. The Christian bakers believe that the person who ordered the cake already knew their religious beliefs and intentionally generated this case.

Vandalism at Mariengrotte of St. Martin Church

July 26, 2023, Germany

Between July 26 and 28, unknown vandals damaged a statue in Mariengrotte, between the Church of St. Martin and the parish office. A flower vase was also found destroyed and sacrificially candles were found smeared in the church. The police were notified and opened an investigation to find the culprits.

Theft and Vandalism at St. Catherine Church

July 26, 2023, Poland

On the night of the 26th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of St. Catherine in Rożnów, robbing and damaging the property. Offerings from two donation boxes were stolen, and damage was caused to the stained glass window of St. Maksymilian and the baptismal font.

Human excrements left in sacristy after theft

July 26, 2023, Austria

On July 29, a thief broke into the Romanian Orthodox church of Stegersbach, Austria, after the evening prayers. Next to stealing 150-200 euros from the donation box, the thief also left human excrements in the sacristy.

Fire at the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù

July 25, 2023, Italy

The Maredolce Castle and Park Association in Palermo have taken legal action, filing a complaint for arson in response to the fire at the fifteenth-century Santa Maria di Gesù church, while investigations of the origin of the fire are still ongoing. The blaze, which occurred on July 25th, resulted in the partial destruction of the church, including the loss of its Renaissance ceiling, a fifteenth-century wooden sculpture of Mary and Jesus, and several other artworks. Moreover, the body of Saint Benedict the Moor, venerated in the church, disappeared in the flames.

30 Graves Vandalised in Beringen

July 25, 2023, Belgium

In July 2023, unknown persons vandalized at least thirty graves in a cemetery in the center of Koersel, in the municipality of Beringen. Objects were also set alight and taken away.

Russian Missile Strikes Holy Transfiguration Cathedral

July 23, 2023, Ukraine

In the early hours of the July 23, a Russian missile struck the central altar of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, reducing a large part of it to rubble. The building and the three lower floors were partially destroyed, while the interior and icons were significantly damaged. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church called for an immediate, final break of ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vandalism and Threats in Lutheran Church in Riga

July 23, 2023, Latvia

On July 23, a man wearing a face mask entered the Old Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude in Riga and vandalised the church. He damaged a baptismal vessel and an icon, scattered sand, poured water on the vessel and left the church. When entering the church he also threatened the church warden not to call the police or he would physically assault her. The pastor of the parish, Chris Kalnins, also reported that the attacker made death threats against the pastor.

Repeated Acts of Vandalism at Domfront Cemetery

July 22, 2023, France

Acts of vandalism -burning flowers and plantations - were reported during the 3rd week of July at the Saint-Front cemetery in Domfront, Orne. Individuals from the municipality raise their voice following numerous incidents of damage to cemeteries.

Theft and Damage in Villach-Auen church

July 21, 2023, Austria

Unknown perpetrators broke open the window of a church in Villach-Auen, Austria. By breaking open a door, they then gained access to the sacristy, rummaged through the cabinets and stole the donation box.

San Fabiano Church in Suna vandalised

July 17, 2023, Italy

As reported on July 17, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Church of Saint Fabian and Sebastian in Suna, apparently using a sledgehammer which they swung against the façade of the small church on the Suna lakefront, ruining the plaster.

Austria: Youths wanted to "Shoot all Christians" in their School Class

July 16, 2023, Austria

On the 16th of July, two youths stood trial in Leoben on charges of terrorist association and criminal organization. A 16-year-old and a 15-year-old planned a terrorist attack on MS Bruck school, since early 2022. The police found out through their chats that the plans were far advanced. When questioned, the perpetrators confirmed that they "wanted to shoot all the Christians in the class". The boys have now been convicted by law.

Bell Stolen from Berlin Church - Widespread thefts from church properties

July 16, 2023, Germany

Unknown persons have stolen a church bell weighing around half a tonne from the premises of the Protestant church in Berlin-Heinersdorf. "This is a very painful loss for me and the congregation," pastor Anne-Kathrin Finke said.

Tabernacle Broken into at St Jacob Church

July 16, 2023, Germany

In the night from July 15 to 16, an unknown perpetrator broke into St Jacob church in Schraudenbach. The thief stole valuable objects and broke into the tabernacle of the church. Extensive property damage was caused.

UK: Man has his job offer rescinded after Company learns about his Christian Beliefs

July 14, 2023, United Kingdom

Felix Ngole, a Christian social worker, had a job offer by Touchstone Support withdrawn after the company found out that he won a free speech case over his Christian views. He says: “The reasons they gave for withdrawing the job offer were an attack on me and my faith." Ngole is now taking Touchstone to an employment tribunal.

Italian Church Vandalised: Statue Destroyed & Altar Damaged

July 14, 2023, Italy

On the 14th of July, the Saint Lucia church in Fondo, Italy, was found vandalised. The altar was damaged and a statue destroyed, with the vandals leaving a bottle of beer in the hands of the statue. The provincial councillor in Trento, Denis Paoli, condemns the attack: “What happened constitutes an intolerable outrage not only for the religious community but for the entire civil society."