All cases
Teenagers Vandalize Church and Steal Offertory Money
March 5, 2023, FranceOn the 5th of March, three teenagers broke into a church, severely damaged the organ, vandalized the church, and robbed the money in the offertory box. They are to be judged in April. According to the report, the perpetrators climbed through the balcony, stealing the key to the organ and bending several pipes, they also sprayed the church with a fire extinguisher and unsealed a railing.
LGBT-activists disrupt church service
March 5, 2023, PolandOn March 5, 2023, a mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was interrupted. LGBT-activists dressed in coats in the colours symbolising the LGBT movement, demonstratively prostrated themselves in front of the rails during the liturgy. They lay down on the floor, claiming to symbolise that they were "victims of the Church".
High Level of Anti-Christian Crimes in France Can't be Ignored Anymore: Collective Statement by 20 Personalities
March 3, 2023, FranceThe anti-Christian incidents have been rising in France, up to the point that 20 personalities from different organisations and careers have issued a letter to the authorities. The newspaper "Le Figaro" has published a collective statement signed by twenty french personalities asking for a better response against this problem in France and Europe. The article mentions recent news about two nuns who will leave the city of Nantes due to insecurity. The authors state: "If the worrying rise in violence against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France as in Europe." The statement asks the European Union to "react and recall that all anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force."
Glass door smashed during parish event
March 3, 2023, ItalyOn the evening of Sunday, 3 March 2024, unknown individuals shattered the glass door of the room adjoining the BMV Immacolata Parish in Terlizzi, Italy. This room is used by the church for pastoral and catechetical activities. The incident occurred during a meeting between the parish priest, Father Gianni Rafanelli, and young people.
Drunken men interrupt mass and insult priest
March 3, 2023, PolandOn March 3, 2023, there was a disruption in the celebration of Holy Mass at the Franciscan Church in Wronki. During the service, two drunken men aged 29 and 40 entered the church and insulted the priest. Police officers were called to the scene.
Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Desecrated
March 2, 2023, FranceOn March 2, the church of Saint-Eustache located in Paris was severely damaged and desecrated, according to media reports. Unknown perpetrators broke the protective glass of the altar with a fire extinguisher. The parish community was shocked and commented: "This altar is at the heart of the church as Christ is at the heart of our gatherings and of the rich life of our parish community." Further damages and motives are still under investigation.
Anti-Christian Tags on the pavement of the church
February 28, 2023, ItalyOn the last day of February, an act of vandalism and hate crime occurred in the Church of San Giovanni Battista. An Italian news site reported that unknown perpetrators smeared offensive tags and drew symbols on the church's pavement. The symbols were said to be pentagrams, usually used by satanists and an upside-down cross. There was also a stone in front of the church with writings on it. The investigation is ongoing.
Statue broken in church of
February 28, 2023, FranceOn 28 February, a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua was thrown to the ground and smashed, and candle stands were knocked over In the church of Saint-François Xavier in Paris.
Deacon verbally and physically attached when protesting against Drag Queen children show
February 28, 2023, United KingdomRevd Calvin Robinson, a deacon in the Free Church of England, was verbally and physically attacked while protesting against a Drag Queen storytelling event for children set to be held at a local library at Lewisham, London.
Update: School Chaplain loses unfair dismissal case over a sermon where he stated biblical teachings
February 27, 2023, United KingdomRev Dr. Bernard Randall, the former Trent College chaplain in Derbyshire, has lost his unfair dismissal appeal. He was dismissed and reported to a terrorist watchdog after holding a sermon in which he encouraged students to feel free to make up their own opinions regarding the school's initiative to promote LGBT workshops. Even though Rev. Bernard expressed himself respectfully and calmly, he was also blacklisted as a safeguarding risk to children by the Church of England (CofE).
Saint-Ambroise Church in Paris vandalised
February 26, 2023, FranceIn the night from 25 to 26 of February the church on Saint-Ambroise in Paris was broken into. The doors were found damaged and human excrements were found in front of the altar.
Graffiti smeared on the walls of St. Jacob's Church
February 24, 2023, GermanyThe St. Jacob's Church in Köthen, Germany was vandalized on February 24 by an unknown perpetrator who smeared graffiti on the front and around the door of the 19th-century church. The police have been notified and are still investigating the motive behind the graffiti.
Brass Lectern Stolen from Hemingstone Church
February 23, 2023, United KingdomA heavy brass lectern was stolen form St. Gregory's Church in Hemingstone between February 12 and February 23. According to a Suffolk police spokesman, the thieves also attempted to steal a large bronze eagle that sits on top of the lectern from inside the church. It had been moved near to the door of the church and officers believe the burglars planned a second visit to remove it. It has now been taken to a secure location away from the church to prevent it from being stolen. The police said the lectern is a heavy item and would require at least two people to move it. Police are still investigating the incident.
Munich: Hymn Books Set on Fire and Church Vandalised
February 22, 2023, GermanyThe Parish church of St. Heinrich in München was damaged by arson and vandalism on the 22nd of February, causing shock among the parishioners. While visiting the church, a 60-year-old woman found some hymn books set on fire. Before calling the authorities, the lady and an employee were able to extinguish the fire. The German news portal reported that a church room had also been vandalised, candles had been knocked over and hymn books were scattered on the floor. Someone had even urinated into one of the songbooks. The perpetrators remain unknown.
Second Church Desecration in Castellón in one month
February 20, 2023, SpainOn 20 February, a serious desecration took place in the parish church of Santa María de Segorbe. The perpetrators desecrated the tabernacle and also stole money from the church.
Statue of St. Joseph destroyed and fingers were cut off
February 19, 2023, PolandOn February 19, 2023, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the statue of St. Joseph located in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Piłka in the Czarnkowsko-Trzcianecki district of Drawsko. The perpetrator cut off two fingers from the figure, as reported by asta24 Poland. A resident named Ryszard Jablonowski expressed his feelings towards the situation: "I looked at the statue and, to be honest, I am shocked by what I saw. I'm trying to explain to myself what this is all about." The Priest thinks that the marks on the statue could have been done by using a knife, as well as by cutting off the fingers of the St. Joseph statue.
Arson: 5,000 euros Damage at St. Andreas Catholic Church
February 18, 2023, GermanyBetween the 18th and 19th of February, it was reported that the display board of the Catholic Church St. Andreas in Elbingerode was set on fire. The fire caused by unknown perpetrators destroyed the display case and the house facade, covering around 2 meters of the wall. The police are investigating and have estimated the costs of the damages at around 5,000 euros.
Evangelical Church of Veneux-les-Sablons attacked the second time
February 18, 2023, FranceAnother report has come that the Evangelical Baptist Church of Veneux-les-Sablons was vandalized for a second time. A member of the Baptist Association posted pictures on her Facebook page that showed damaged windows and broken glasses. The constant reminder for prayer is needed for the church and the volunteers have also tried to secure the premises before the celebration on February 18.
Paint Bomb Attack Defaced Church of St. Lambert's
February 17, 2023, NetherlandsThe St. Lambert's Church in Etten-Leur was attacked with paint bombs by unknown vandals. The paint covered the front doors, pillars, stairs and a statue. The report says that the "paint had even run in under the door." The incident was reported on February 17. and it mentioned that the Church had recently finished renovating and is unfortunately ruined again. Secretary Johan Snijders explained how the paint was covering the entrance and has soaked up from the pillars, the perpetrators used multiple colours of paint. Snijders reported that the unknown person "had also left behind all sorts of items: books, candles, a laptop, a bag of jars of paint and even a broken pot of vegetables".
Roadside cross in Goręczyno cut down with an axe
February 17, 2023, PolandOn the night of 17 February 2023, an unknown offender used an axe to cut down a roadside cross at a crossroads in Goręczyno and knock it to the ground.