All cases
Cumbrae Church's Nativity Scence Vandalised
December 16, 2023, United KingdomA Christmas nativity scene at Cumbrae Parish Church was vandalised in Millport. Among other damages, the figure of Mary had been beheaded. The church community is shocked about the incident.
Former auxiliary bishop assaulted and seriously injured
December 16, 2023, GermanyThe former Auxiliary Bishop of Hildesheim, Nikolaus Schwerdtfeger, has been the victim of an attack in his home and is being treated in intensive care.
St Anna church remains closed indefinitely after vandalism and threats
December 15, 2023, GermanySt Anne's Church in Stendal has been closed since December due to vandalism and intimidation. As reported on 28 February the church is still not receiving regular visitors and is only open for worship service.
France refuses Iranian Christian convert asylum
December 15, 2023, FranceAta Fathimaharlooei, an Iranian convert to Christianity, has received a deportation order after his asylum application has been refused in France. A return, however, would be very dangerous as he is threatened with death for apostasy in Iran.
Makovecs Square nativity scene destroyed
December 14, 2023, HungaryOn December 14, a nativity scene displayed on the main square in Markó, Hungary, was destroyed by unknown persons. The nativity scene, which was awarded the most beautiful in the country in 2020, was found with all the human figures decapitated, while the animal figures were untouched. The incident was reported to the police. Some of the figures appear to have been damaged beyond repair.
Stained glass window of St. Martinus Church damaged
December 14, 2023, GermanyOn December 14, damage was caused to St. Martinus Church in Böttingen. An unknown perpetrator smashed the stained glass window integrated into the sacristy's concrete glass window, causing damage amounting to around 1,000 euros. The police are investigating.
Three Christians Sentenced to Jail for Conscientious Objection to Military Service
December 13, 2023, UkraineIn the past months, three Protestant Christians have been sentenced to jail for conscientious objections to military service on religious grounds in Ukraine. One of them, Dmytro Zelensky, is imprisoned after his acquittal was reversed by the Ternopil Appeal Court in August 2023. He has been sentenced to three years in prison and is currently preparing his appeal to the High Court.
Church Door vandalised
December 13, 2023, GermanyOn December 13, the door handle of a church in Marburg was ripped off. The incident has been reported to the police. The damage is estimated at several hundreds of euros.
Church in Piacenza vandalised
December 11, 2023, ItalyOn December 11, the Santa Rita church in Piacenza, Italy, was vandalised, resulting in damages of several thousand euros. Among other things, a cross was destroyed and money was stolen from the offering box.
Graffiti on Church in Bareggio, Nativity scene vandalised
December 11, 2023, ItalyIn Bareggio, the church of the Brughiera has been vandalised by graffiti on the outside walls. The incident came right after a nativity scene on the square of Bareggio was attacked. One figure was destroyed, another broken.
French Minister announces dissolution of Catholic movement 'Academia Christiana'
December 10, 2023, FranceThe French Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced on 10 December that he would present in “the coming weeks” to the Council of Ministers the dissolution of Academia Christiana, a youth-movement of traditional Catholics which since its foundation in 2013 has brought together thousands of young Christians in its training courses and summer schools. According to the minister, the decision was made on the fact that the movement is "inciting hatred and discrimination." Academia Christiana has already announced that they will challenge then ban in court.
Vandalised nativity scene in front of the church of Magenta
December 10, 2023, ItalyOn December 10, the nativity scene on the churchyard of San Rocco in Magenta, Italy was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators cut off the head and arms and legs of the statue of the child Jesus and damaged that of Mary.
Bomb Threat against Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey
December 9, 2023, AustriaOn December 9, the Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the district Baden received a bomb threat. The threatening call came shortly before 5 pm. The police confirmed that the threat had an Islamist motive. According to media reports, the aggressor said on the phone: "Convert to Islam, or I will bomb you." Special police forces promptly searched the public areas of the monastery, but no suspicious items were found on the premises.
Figure of Jesus stolen from Nativity Scene and replaced with caricature
December 9, 2023, SpainOn December 12, a figure of the Child Jesus was stolen from a life-sized nativity scene at Benimaclet square, Valencia, just a few hours after the nativity scene was placed there. The unknown perpetrators furthermore replaced the figure with a caricature of Jesus.
Vandalism of Nativity Scene in Tavarede
December 9, 2023, PortugalOn the night of 9 December, a major act of vandalism took place in Tavarede, including the destruction of a nativity scene and a Christmas tree in Tavarede's church square. Other Christmas decorations in public streets were also vandalised. There was also an attempted break-in at a nearby mortuary, which the mayor believes may have been used to gain access to the church to steal and cause further damage.
Altar Cross stolen from Chapel in Mulfingen
December 8, 2023, GermanyOn December 8, the altar cross, worth several hundred Euros, was stolen from the St. Anna Chapel in Mulfingen, Germany. Local Police started an investigation.
Climate activists vandalise Venice's San Marco Basilica
December 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 December, six climate activists defaced St Mark's Basilica of Venice by spraying Nesquik with fire extinguishers on the right side facade and pouring mud on the columns. They then unfurled a banner and a placard with the photos of twelve climate activists who were detained for three days after a roadblock in Fiumicino.
Russian authorities ban Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in occupied Zaporizhzhia region
December 7, 2023, UkraineThe Russian military-civilian administration in the occupied Zaporizhzhia oblast of Ukraine issued an order banning the activities of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), as well as the Knights of Columbus and Caritas organizations engaged in social service in the occupied territory. All movable and immovable property and land plots of the UGCC will also be seized. The Information Department of the UGCC reports they just become aware of this on December 7, although the document dates December 26, 2022.
Arson destroyed Bethlehem Chruch in Rotterdam
December 6, 2023, NetherlandsOn the evening of December 6, a fire broke out in the Bethlehemkerk church building located on Oranjestraat, Rotterdam. The flames quickly spread to the roof, causing it to collapse. The church was almost completely destroyed by the fire. The fire department arrived promptly and was able to prevent the fire from spreading any further. As a precautionary measure, the surrounding houses were temporarily evacuated.
Nativity Scene vandalised
December 6, 2023, PolandOn the night of December 6, 2023, the nativity scene next to the Church of St. Nicholas on the market square in Stary Fordon in Bydgoszcz was vandalised. Three young men recorded on city surveillance destroyed, among other things, the wooden walls, floor, gates and hinges of the Nativity scene.