All cases

Statue of Mary and altar defaced with black paint in Soest

August 10, 2026, Germany

On 10 August 2026, the St. Patrokli-Dom in Soest was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who defaced a statue of the Virgin Mary, a side altar, a wall and the floor with black paint. This incident is not the first to affect the cathedral, which is described as a landmark of cultural and religious heritage for the community.

Intruders Damage Altar Piece and Statue in Barcelona Church

August 10, 2026, Spain

Extensive damage was caused to the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia de Vilapicina in Barcelona, with intruders breaking the altar door, pulling a wooden altarpiece from the wall and knocking over a religious statue. The incident caused "great pain" to those responsible for the sanctuary and temporarily disrupted local worship.

Church in Chambray-lès-Tours targeted again two weeks after profanation

August 8, 2026, France

Saint-Symphorien Church in Chambray-lès-Tours was burgled during the night of 7 to 8 August 2026, approximately two weeks after the church fell victim to desecration. The perpetrators stole numerous liturgical objects, including candlesticks, vases, holy-water fonts, crucifixes and chalices. This incident, along with other recent attacks, has prompted a response from local authorities who raised questions about the security of rural places of worship in the region.

Religious icons broken and sanctuary vandalised at chapel in Saronikos

August 7, 2026, Greece

The Chapel of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Saronikos was vandalised on 7 August 2026, one day after the local celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Unknown perpetrators damaged the chapel's interior and exterior, including breaking religious icons in front of the altar and damaging the sanctuary.

Car insurance Revoked Over ‘Jesus Loves You’ Stickers

August 7, 2026, United Kingdom

A Christian driver in the United Kingdom was told that his car insurance could not continue unless he removed “Jesus Loves You” messages displayed on his vehicle. The case has raised concerns about whether peaceful expressions of Christian belief can affect access to ordinary commercial services.

Arson attack at church in Lullin amid series of incidents

August 7, 2026, France

On 7 August 2026, a prayer book and leaflets were set alight inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Lullin, in an act which is believed to have been deliberate. Passers-by discovered the smoke and prevented the fire from spreading. According to the reports, the incident comes amid a series of recent burglaries, thefts, and acts of vandalism affecting Christian places of worship in France.

Columbarium vandalised and cremated ashes scattered at Belgian cemetery

August 7, 2026, Belgium

Reported on 7 August 2026, the columbarium at Sy Cemetery in Ferrières was vandalised, with several niches damaged and some urns opened, causing cremated remains to be scattered inside and around the cemetery. The incident caused significant distress in the community; affected families were notified and psychological support was arranged. The municipal authorities announced that a criminal complaint would be filed.

Tabernacle removed and consecrated hosts scattered outside church in Cattolica

August 7, 2026, Italy

On 7 August 2026, an act of sacrilegious theft and desecration was discovered at the Church of San Giorgio in Conca, belonging to the Parish of Santa Maria di Nazareth in Cattolica. Unknown perpetrators removed the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts contained inside, which were subsequently found scattered outside the church. The carabinieri opened an investigation into the incident which targeted objects of central religious significance, and deeply affected the Catholic community.

Vandalism at historic Wexford Graveyard

August 7, 2026, Ireland

According to reports from 7 August, extensive vandalism was discovered at Monachán Graveyard in County Wexford, with 18 gravestones and a large stone cross damaged and a Celtic cross smashed from a wall. The locals are distressed by the incident, which was seen as a "horrifying" attack on the history and culture of the community.

Church in Parada de Ribeira Desecrated

August 7, 2026, Spain

On 7 August 2026, the parish church of San Salvador de Parada de Ribeira in Xinzo de Limia was broken into and desecrated, with the tabernacle forced open and consecrated hosts removed. The incident, which was regarded as a profanation of "extraordinary gravity," caused considerable distress in the parish and led to a penitential rite and purification of the church before worship could resume.

Attempted arson damages entrance to church in Kielce

August 4, 2026, Poland

An unknown person attempted to set fire to the side entrance of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Kielce, Poland during the night of 3 to 4 August, 2026. A burning package was placed under the church doors, partially charring the side entrance, before the fire was discovered and extinguished. Reports describe the incident as a "sad experience" for the whole parish community.

Oviedo Church is Sprayed with Racist and Anticlerical Graffiti

August 4, 2026, Spain

On 4 August 2026, racist and anticlerical graffiti was discovered on the Church of San Francisco de Asís in Oviedo, including the message "Traitor rats, welcome the Moors to the Vatican." The incident caused concern among those responsible for the church and constitutes a clear instance of targeted anti-Catholic sentiment and racist graffiti.

Man targets churches in Hampshire with occult symbols

August 3, 2026, United Kingdom

According to a report from 3 August 2026, a 48-year-old man found guilty of aggravated religious harassment after targeting several churches in the New Forest area of Hampshire, leaving animal remains with occult symbols at or inside places of worship, and in front of places of devotion between February and August 2025. The offences greatly disturbed the church communities.

Church Desecrated Following Series of Vandalism and Verbal Abuse

August 1, 2026, Spain

Santa Margarita María de Alacoque Parish in Madrid was burglarised and desecrated after intruders forced open two tabernacles, damaged the church and discarded a relic of the parish's patron saint. The incident followed months of reported vandalism and disruptions, including verbal abuse during mass, affecting the parish community

Church furnishings damaged and hymnals scattered in Waldbrunn Church

August 1, 2026, Germany

On 1 August 2026, a protestant church in Waldbrunn-Strümpfelbrunn was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. Two people are believed to have entered the church, overturned seat cushions and hymn books, and carved symbols and letters into a wooden pew. Police have opened an investigation and are looking for witnesses.

Scottish Teacher Takes Legal Action After Dismissal For Expressing Pro-Life Beliefs

July 30, 2026, United Kingdom

A Catholic teacher in Scotland has brought an employment tribunal claim after being dismissed for expressing her pro-life beliefs in response to pupils' questions during a classroom discussion. She alleges that her dismissal discriminated against her because of her Catholic beliefs and violated her freedom to express them in the workplace.

Altar Desecrated and Relics Taken From Church

July 30, 2026, Germany

Unknown perpetrators broke into St Martinus Church in Neuss-Holzheim, stole a Missal and relics of St Martin from inside the church altar, damaging the altar. The burglary caused limited material damage but a significant religious loss, requiring the altar to be blessed before it could again be used for worship.

Call to Remove Religious Symbols Hits European Court

July 28, 2026, Greece

In July 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) communicated Union of Atheists v. Greece (Application No. 001-244533), a case seeking the removal of Christian icons from Greek courtrooms. The application reflects a broader attempt to eliminate longstanding religious symbols from public institutions across Europe, raising concerns about whether state neutrality is increasingly interpreted as requiring the erasure of religious heritage from public life.

Update: Perpetrator of Medjugorje Vandalism Identified

July 28, 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina

On the night of 27 to 28 July 2026, a scandalous desecration occurred on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje. Among the offences, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was tagged with a blasphemous inscription, the altar of St James' church was set on fire, and a banner with aggressive messaging to the Medjugorje seers was hung up. Police have identified a Polish national who had been a pilgrim at Medjugorje back in 2017, but since then his life had taken a difficult turn "personally and spiritually". The local Catholic community have responded urging for prayers and forgiveness for the suspect, rather than judgement.

Man throws stones at image of St Joseph and damages church property

July 28, 2026, Italy

San Giuseppe Church and its parish oratory in the Matteotti district of Saronno were damaged in a vandalism attack in which stones were thrown at the church façade, damaging the image of St Joseph and the lighting of the Oratory. The incident not only affected the Christian community, but local organisations reached out in support in light of the "deeply saddening episode."