All cases
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.
Church windows smashed in Saint-Chéron
February 16, 2023, FranceAs reported on February 16, stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Chéron, France, were smashed by vandals.
Chapel at Gdansk´s Airport Vandalised
February 15, 2023, PolandOn February 15, 2023, a 27 year-old man committed an act of vandalism in the chapel located on the premises of the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport. The perpetrator overturned and damaged the furnishings of the chapel and tore pages from the Bible.
Parish Church of Tarouca Vandalised By unknown perpetrators
February 14, 2023, PortugalUnknown perpetrators vandalized the Parish Church of Tarouca on February 14. The authorities have investigated the crime and have mentioned that the main churchyard doors were scratched, and the stained glass window was destroyed. The Parish said "We only know that it was an attack against a Monument, art, humanity, faith, and the Parish of Tarouca. And this is a crime!”
Two Catholic priests Expelled from Russia
February 14, 2023, RussiaIn February 2023, it became known that two Catholic priests had been expelled from Russia. Fr Mark Bakeżinski was the rector of the Catholic parish of Belgorod up until the moment he was arrested and expelled. He had been accused of allegedly "violating public order". Fr Michał Mżyglud was expelled from Novocherkassk, where he served as rector in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both were Polish citizens.
Church raided and desecrated in Ukraine: Windows and a Crucifix destroyed
February 13, 2023, UkraineOn Friday the 13th, the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vinnytsia was vandalized and desecrated. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was reported that "unknown persons broke almost all the windows, attacked the cross in front of the church with an axe, and broke the legs of the Saviour on Calvary." It was also said that due to the strong force used by the perpetrator throwing the axe and destroying the statue, it also broke other candlelights and other religious objects.
Three Cemeteries Vandalised in Belgium
February 13, 2023, BelgiumIn February 2023, the newly renovated Warnant cemetery Villers-le-Bouillet was the target of vandals who have ripped out the new planting and thrown it on the graves. The cemeteries at Oeudeghien and Montrœul-au-Bois (both, in the Hainaut province) were also vandalised.
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated and Church Desecrated
February 12, 2023, FranceThe church of Saint-Martin located in Choisy-le-Roi was vandalized on the 12th of February. The French news portal has reported the statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated and desecrated. Quoted "the church of Saint-Martin was vandalized by one or more individuals, according to information from Le Parisien confirmed by the Créteil prosecutor's office."
Saint-Martin d'Orly: Statue beheaded and hosts stolen
February 12, 2023, FranceOn February 12, the church of Saint-Martin d'Orly, on the border with Choisy-le-Roi was vandalised. A statue of Mary was beheaded and the consecrated hosts stolen from the tabernacle.
Nativity Scene in Saint Roch Church vandalised
February 12, 2023, FranceThe nativity scene of the Saint Roch church in Paris was vandalized on January 12. Although the figures were protected behind bars, somebody pulled the fabric on which the statues were placed and overturned them.
Four fires started in Chanteloup les Vignes Church
February 11, 2023, FranceOn February 11, around 3 pm. fire was set to the St Roch Church in Chanteloup les Vignes. A parishioner looking after the choir noticed the fire. Three fires had been started on sheets of paper inside the church. Additionally, a larger fire had been set in the toilets.
Devastating Damage to Baroque Church by Arson and Vandalism
February 10, 2023, GermanyThe historical Baroque "Church of the Cross" in Wissen has been destroyed and desecrated on the 10th of February. The police have identified a 39-year-old perpetrator, who has caused damages worth millions of euros. According to the reports, the man broke open the back door of the church by smashing it with stones, vandalized the religious symbols and set fire to the high altar, which has been completely destroyed. Two firefighter squats were able to stop the fire, they were alarmed as people noticed smoke coming out of the church.
Pastor Devastated After Repeated Vandalism to His Church
February 10, 2023, GermanyThe Marienkirche in Treuchtlingen has once again been vandalised by unknown perpetrators. On February 10 it was reported that perpetrators broke the windows of the Church, left used socks on an open Bible, as well as a box of cigarettes, and urinated on the corner of the room. Pastor Matthias Fischer was sadly not surprised after witnessing the scene. He expressed his emotions and frustration since there have been several cases of vandalism in the Marienkirche. However, Pastor decided not to report this case this time, as he says he has had much worse.
Tabernacle Desecrated and Stolen
February 9, 2023, SpainThe tabernacle of the parish of Lozoyuela-Navas-Sieteiglesias in Madrid was desecrated and stolen. Furthermore, perpetrators ransacked the parish sacristy. It was reported that offerings collected from the parish have also been stolen.
Cross on a child's grave broken down
February 9, 2023, United KingdomA Celtic cross on the grave of a child near St Mary's Church in High Heskett, Cumbria (England), was broken. According to the police, it was deliberate vandalism.
19-year-old Arrested after Video Showing him Burning an Image of the Virgin
February 8, 2023, RussiaA video on the internet have been circulating in Astrakhan of a 19-year-old burning a religious shrine, an image of the the Virgin Mary. Later that day, he was arrested and questioned by the police. The person filming behind the camera will also be questioned for the offensive crime.
Cyrill and Methodius Monument Vandalized in Bautzen
February 7, 2023, GermanyIn the first week of February 2023, the Dresden-Meißen diocese reported that the statue of Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles to the Slavs, in Bautzen was vandalised.
Threats against Christians sprayed on wall
February 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 February, youths were charged for graffiti containing insults and threats against the Christian faith. The slogans also included insults against the police in Terni. It was reported that some witnesses had told the police that several hooded boys could have carried out this type of act. The graffiti was eventually removed and the perpetrators are still being investigated.