All cases
Priest's Car and House Vandalised
June 26, 2022, FranceThe French Observatory reported that individuals kicked in the bottom of the door of a priest's house. The priest, Abbé Guépin, who lives in the rue d'Allonville, also recalled that on the night of 23 to 24 June, his car was also attacked. The perpetrators broke into the car and stole two bags, one of which contained objects to celebrate a baptism and communion.
Man Arrested for Repeatedly Smashing Stained Glass Windows of Churches in Leipzig Area
June 24, 2022, GermanyA 38-year-old man was arrested in early July after he was linked to the destruction of stained glass windows in an evangelical church in Stötteritz, Leipzig on 24 June - two windows were smashed with cobble stones causing 15,000 euros worth of damage. The police are trying to link him to two other stained-glass windows destroyed in two Leipzig churches, one of which was St Thomas.
Wooden Cross Set on Fire in Riccall Church
June 24, 2022, United KingdomAn arson attack took place at the St. Mary's Church in Riccall on Friday 24. June. A wooden cross that was attached to the front entrance of the church was set on fire and destroyed. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, as the religious symbol was directly targeted.
Another Arson Against the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern
June 23, 2022, GermanyOn June 23, unidentified young vandals set fire to the altar bible at the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern. Because of the massive damage caused by the fire, the Church will remain temporarily closed. This is the second time that the church has been targeted by arson.
Update! Sweden: Liberal Party Wants To Ban the Establishment of New Religious Independent Schools
June 22, 2022, SwedenThe Liberal Swedish Party wants to completely ban denominational independent schools, within the framework of the Swedish school system. Previously, they intended to block the opening of new religious schools but now they claim that the existing ones should also be closed in the next term. The chairman of the Christian Free School Council, Jan Rosman, says this "would definitely be a violation of religious freedom".
Church Windows Smashed in Leipzig Once Again
June 22, 2022, GermanyBetween the evening of June 22 and the morning of the 23rd, unknown vandals threw paving stones at a total of three church windows in Leipzig. The total amount of damages is estimated to be around 300 euros. The case was reported to the police and a case was opened to investigate the vandalistic act.
Vandal Caught on Church's Surveillance Camera Damaging a Cross
June 22, 2022, PolandOn June 22, a surveillance camera of the church of St. Andrzej Bobola recorded a man entering the vestibule of the building, damaging the cross, and then leaving the church. The video was sent to the police, who published a picture of the unknown vandal. They opened an investigation to gather evidence and witnesses who might be able to identify the perpetrator.
Statue of Mary Ripped out and Stolen From German Church
June 21, 2022, GermanyThe police announced on the 21st of June, that a statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the Church of St. Wenzeslaus in Schönsee, by unknown burglars. The statue was apparently ripped out from its attachment to the wall. It is approximately 100 years old, with 75 centimeters, hand-carved, and worth around 5,000 euros. It is not yet known the exact date and time the crime occurred, but the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office is looking into the case in order to find the culprits.
Theft and Property Damage From Lutheran Church
June 21, 2022, GermanyBetween June 21 and 22, unknown thieves stole a video camera and a microphone from the Lutheran Church. The police were alerted and investigations indicate that the perpetrators allowed themselves to be locked inside the church and then forced open a door to exit the crime scene. The items stolen were worth around 200 euros and the property damage is estimated at around 2000 euros.
Attempted Theft in the Church of Santa Maria Monserrato
June 20, 2022, ItalyUnidentified thieves attempted to rob the church of Santa Maria Monserrato, in Palermo. In order to enter, they unhinged the iron gate, enabling their access to the church. However, for reasons still unknown, they gave up and abandoned the scene. The case was reported to the police and an investigation is underway.
Bronze Cross Torn Off and Stolen From Fulda Cathedral
June 19, 2022, GermanyAccording to the diocese of Fulda, on the 19th of June, a valuable bronze cross was stolen from the Bonifatius tomb, in the Fulda Cathedral. It appears that the cross was violently torn from its anchorage, which likely damaged it in the process. The theft was reported to the police, which opened an investigation to find the burglars.
Young Boys Caused Fires and Smoke Inside Church
June 18, 2022, GermanyOn June 18 and 23, two young boys were "playing" with fire in the evangelical church, located on Klosterbergstraße. Fortunately, they didn't cause any considerable damage. On the 18th, they entered the church, in the early evening and it is suspected that they filled the glass candle holders with disinfectant and then lit them on fire. The candle holders withstood the heat, so the fire faded. On June 23, the same young boys went to the church at the end of the afternoon, but on this occasion, they lit a fire under a wooden desk. This time the fire spread a bit, creating a considerable amount of smoke inside the church, but it apparently died on its own. According to preliminary estimates, the material damage caused amounted to several thousand euros. The police were alerted and are now looking for witnesses to identify the young boys.
Attack on Catholic Rectory in Dolice
June 18, 2022, PolandOn the night of 18/19. June, there was an attack on the rectory of the Roman Catholic parish of Christ the King in Dolice. The perpetrator destroyed the gates, entrance doors, thermal insulation and facades of the rectory building and garden infrastructure. Death threats were directed toward the priests, and attempts were also made to provoke a riot.
150 Graves desecrated and Crosses Stolen
June 18, 2022, FranceDuring the night of 17 to 18 of June, the cemetery of Velsy (Eure) was vandalized. Crosses and other objects were stolen from 150 graves, almost the half in the cemetery. The mayor of the village, Annie Lefèvre, and her first deputy Laurent Lucas were on the spot to see the extent of the damage. They have filed a complaint at the gendarmerie.
Church Altar and Organ Smeared With Artificial Snow
June 17, 2022, GermanyAt the end of June, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bühren, unknown vandals spreaded artificial snow on the altar, the lectern, the wooden floorboards, and the organ. The parishioners were especially concerned about the organ since it dates back to 1824 and is a listed building. However, a specialist company has examined it and it seems like there is no permanent damage, it will be possible to remove the snow but it will be "at great expense". The guest book was also vandalized with right-wing extremist and unconstitutional symbols. The sheet was removed as the pastor claimed that "such signs have no place in our church". The police were alerted and informed about this vandalistic attack.
Church Doors Glued Together in Marburg
June 16, 2022, GermanyOn the night between June 15 and 16. June, unidentified vandals glued the locks and the doors of the two entrances to the church of Peter and Paul in Biegenstrasse, blocking its access. A locksmith had to be called to the scene to repair the entrances in order to allow the Corpus Christi service and the procession for this festivity to take place in the church. The police were alerted and started an investigation to find the ones responsible for the vandalistic act.
Valuable Objects Stolen from Catholic Church in Germany
June 16, 2022, GermanyBetween 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., on 16. June, a Catholic Church was broken into by unknown people, who got access to the church through the entrance of the sacristy. They stole several objects, but it has not been clarified yet how many valuables were stolen. Nonetheless, the total damage caused to the property is estimated to be around several thousand euros. The case was reported to the police on the 19th of June, which opened an investigation to find the ones responsible for the burglary.
Satanic Vandalism of Church in Szczecin
June 16, 2022, PolandOn the night of June 16-17, an unknown perpetrator committed an act of vandalism on the grounds of the parish of St. James the Apostle in Szczecin. The vandal painted a pentagram symbol on the historic door of the Basilica.
Theft of Money and Religious Objects from Church in Calvi
June 15, 2022, FranceThe chapel of Notre-Dame de la Serra was looted during the night of 14 to 15 June in Calvi, in the island of Corsica. The trunks as well as various religious objects (rosaries, pikes) were stolen. The gate, the trunks and the cupboards inside were broken into with a crowbar.
Crucifix Stolen from Calvary in Würselen
June 15, 2022, GermanyOn 15 June, a cast iron crucifix was stolen from a Calvary in the village of Würselen near Aachen at the intersection of Kaiser and Bissener streets. The police have launched an appeal for witnesses.