All cases
Three churches in Bauska broken into
December 31, 2023, LatviaBetween 30 and 31 December, three churches in Bauska were broken into. As the locks were broken, there was material damage in addition to the stolen goods.
Figure of Jesus stolen from nativity scene
December 31, 2023, GermanyThe figure of the Infant Jesus has been stolen from the nativity scene in the Church of Christ in Niebull, Germany. The caretaker of the nativity scene, Ursula Mast-Christiansen, is appealing for the baby Jesus to be returned immediately.
Via Crucis vandalised in Mavignola
December 31, 2023, ItalyIn the night from December 31 to January 1, unknown perpetrators have damaged the stations of the Via Crucis, defacing them and committing severe vandalism. According to the councilor of the Municipality of Pinzolo, Luca Vidi, the statue of Christ was stolen from the first of the stations of the cross. Other stations have been defaced with "unrepeatable slogans" against "the Church, Christianity and the Pope". "Some people are not educated as they should be, and there is no respect for the common heritage, ignoring the fact that it was created with everyone's efforts," the councillor commented.
Statue of Mary Vandalised for the Second Time
December 31, 2023, HungaryOn New Year's Eve a newly restored statue of Mary has been vandalised for the second time in Dunavecse, Hungary. Unknown perpetrators smashed the head of the statue and trampled its pieces.
Another Nativity scene vandalised in Italy
December 31, 2023, ItalyOn New Year's Eve, vandals destroyed the nativity scene in Campogalliano, Italy. The crib was built by local volunteers. Unknown vandals destroyed the figures and also damaged a nearby bus station.
Nativity Scene Vandalism: Statue of Infant Jesus destroyed
December 31, 2023, ItalyA statue of the infant Jesus of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie was found destroyed on New Year's Eve. The figure was found with its arm and head cut off. The head is still missing. The village, which has only 198 inhabitants, is wondering who could have done such a thing.
Baby Jesus Figure Beheaded and torn into pieces
December 31, 2023, ItalyAs it was reported at the end of December 2023, the nativity scene in Piazza della Repubblica in Monfalcone, Italy, has been attacked. The statuette of baby Jesus was found decapitated and smashed to pieces. The police are investigating. The mayor, Anna Maria Christi, said that everything is being done to find those responsible.
Cemetery vandalism and thefts: Berlin Police recorded 170 cases in 2023
December 31, 2023, Germany170 incidents of cemetery vandalism and thefts were recorded for the region of Berlin in 2023. These are the numbers the German Senate Department for the Interior and Sport published on July 29, 2024, responding to a parliamentary enquiry.
Nativity scene destroyed in Rome
December 30, 2023, ItalyOn December 30, a nativity scene was destroyed in the Setticamini area of Rome, Italy. The crib was built by the citizens. The vandals "destroyed the face of Mary, they broke the hand of Saint Joseph, they tore down all the decorations and scattered them everywhere".
Jesus figure stolen from nativity scene
December 30, 2023, SpainOn December 30, the statue of the child Jesus was stolen from the nativity scene on Plaza dela Hispanidad in Cuenca. In a statement, the Consistory lamented that once again this year these acts of vandalism have targeted a heritage "that belongs to everyone".
Angel statue stolen from church
December 29, 2023, FranceOn 29 December 2023, an angel statue was stolen from Saint Peter's Church in Sète, France. The theft has been reported to the authorities and the police are investigating. The thief would have stolen the angel during church opening hours.
Figure of Infant Jesus stolen from Church
December 29, 2023, ItalyOn January 29, Don Severino Bernardini, the parish priest of Sant'Agnese, noticed that the crib was empty: the baby Jesus had been stolen. This is not the first time that this has happened in the parish. Hopefully the priest, who is a man of vision, had another baby figurine in stock. However, Don Severino left a note in the cradle to try and move the thief's heart: "Please take me back to my crib". Although the missing figurine has been replaced, the parish priest hopes that the thief will return the stolen baby Jesus.
Thieves stole 30 crucifixes from cemeteries
December 27, 2023, SpainThrough the theft of up to 30 copper or brass crucifixes severe damage was caused in the cemeteries of Pantoja, Seseña and Borox, in the province of Toledo. Three thieves broke into the municipal cemeteries and tore the crucifixes off the tombstones, causing damage amounting to 20,000 euros in the Pantoja cemetery alone.
Arson attack on Maria Namen Church in Vienna
December 26, 2023, AustriaOn December 26, unknown perpetrators set fire to the entrance of Maria Namen Parish Church in the 16th district of Vienna, Austria. A construction site toilet, which had been placed at the entrance of the church due to current rennovations, has been set on fire and completely melted. Apparently, fire accelerants must have been used. The parish priest, Jesus David Jean Villalobos, suspects arson.
Baby Jesus Torn into Pieces By Young Vandals
December 26, 2023, ItalyIn Muggio, Italy, vandals damaged the Nativity scene by destroying first a sheep and later the statue of baby Jesus. The act was caught by the security camera and handed over to the police. Also, the parish priest of the Madonna del Castagno pastoral community, Don Maurizio Tremolada, published a video on his Facebook page showing the young people who entered the hut around 26 December and wrote a letter addressed to those who had destroyed the statue of the baby Jesus. In the letter, he invites the perpetrators to make up for their actions.
Aggressive Disruption of Christmas Mass
December 25, 2023, PolandOn December 25, 2023, a 50-year-old man disrupted a solemn Christmas mass celebrated in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Koscielny Square in Łódź. The perpetrator interrupted the celebration of the service by behaving aggressively and shouting obscenities.
Arrest after prevented terror attack on Cologne's Cathedral
December 24, 2023, GermanyA 30-year-old man from Tajikistan has been arrested in connection with the terror warning for Cologne's Cathedral. Shortly before Christmas, the German police had received indications about a planned terrorist attack on the Cathedral. The police presumes an Islamist extremist motive. Cologne's Cathedral has been closed outside church service hours due to security concerns since Christmas.
Nativity scene violently destroyed
December 24, 2023, ItalyOn Christmas Eve, street cameras caught a group of people damaging the nativity scene on the sqaure of Uboldo. The figures were "furiously kicked, punched and beaten". Someone also sat on the cradle and damaged it. The Major has announced that appropriate action will be taken.
18th century crucifix stolen on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2023, SwedenOn Christmas Eve, someone stole the 18th-century crucifix from St Nokolai's Church in Sweden. The thefts must have happened during the Christmas Eve celebration.
Repeated Thefts of Nativity Figures in Ancenis
December 24, 2023, FranceRepeated thefts of figures from nativity scenes have been reported at Ancenis church.