All cases
Books with Anti-Catholic Language Distributed by Castellon City Council
May 31, 2022, SpainA lawsuit filed in October 2021 by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers to remove books with anti-Catholic language has been dismissed. In the mentioned books, it is possible to find statements such as "The bishop gets it in the ass", "Hookers in the Vatican" and "Allah is not great and Jesus does not love us". The lawsuit called for the reiteration of 32 LGTBI-themed books distributed to 12 public institutes of Castellón and in the center of minors Pi Gros. The books were distributed by the City Council. The Contentious-Administrative Court 1 of Castellón dismissed the case. The Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers said they will appeal the judicial decision before the Superior Court of Justice, on the grounds that, in their perspective, "these books violate fundamental rights and incite hatred against all religions".
Vandalism in a Brianza Church
May 30, 2022, ItalyIn the church of Santa Maria Nascente, in Piazza Della Chiesa, someone entered the nave and threw chairs around the floor, leaving some tipped over. The incident, which expressed hate toward the church, happened on May 30th.
Vandals Attack Church Saint Mary's Church in Brianza
May 30, 2022, ItalyTwo similar attacks have been registered in Brianza and Meda. In one, vandals entered the Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix Church in Meda on the 30th of May. They threw chairs to the ground and emptied the hand sanitiser gel, that was at the entrance to the building, onto the floor. A brass crucifix was also found folded up. A similar attack happened near this time in the Santa Maria Nascente Church in Brianza.
Salzburg: Van from Catholic Group Graffitied for 7th Time
May 30, 2022, AustriaFor the 7th time, a vehicle of the Catholic help group "HOME Base" Salzburg, was spray-painted, covering the name, logo, and slogan on the van. This time it happened on the 30th of May. The victims later wrote on Facebook "Thank you, dear 'Antifada' confused neighbors." They also called on the City of Salzburg to do something to prevent such attacks.
Church in Przyjaźń Looted, Thief Takes Mass Wine
May 30, 2022, PolandA 27-year-old from the Kartuzy district looted the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Przyjaźń on May 30th. He took two bottles of mass wine from the church, an amplifier and a halogen lamp. After the man was caught by the police and fined PLN 500, the stolen property was all recovered. The value was estimated around PLN 300.
Vandals Ransacked Church interior in Meda
May 30, 2022, ItalyUnknown vandals entered the Santo Crocifisso Church in Meda and ransacked the inside on May 30th. They overturned chairs, sprayed disinfectant everywhere, and threw that brass altar cross onto the floor which bent it, causing damage. The local police started an investigation into the crime using video from surveillance cameras.
Window smashed in Sankt Bonifatius Church in Goddelau
May 30, 2022, GermanyDuring a prayer on the 30th of May, a window of the Sankt Bonifatius church in Coddelau was smashed. This was not the first attack the church experience as a year earlier, the tabernacle was stolen. The vandal was not identified.
Extensive Vandalism and Desecration to a Schömberg Church
May 29, 2022, GermanyThe Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Schömberg experienced an extensive vandalistic attack on May 29th. Paper towels were strewn all over the floor and one was used to snuff out the eternal light. The altar cloth was left soiled and crumpled, and evidence suggested that the altar was walked on. The unknown intruder had also urinated in the baptismal font. Those who take care of the church were shocked by the incident.
Attempted Arson at Church Choir in Paris
May 28, 2022, FranceOn the 28 of May, an individual tried to set fire to the choir of the church of Sainte Odile in the 17th district of Paris. The mayor of the district, Geoffroy Boulard, posted on Twitter: "I condemn the desecration of the church of St. Odilia with a fire in the choir. The worst avoided thanks to the reaction of the parish staff and the police who quickly arrested the individual. I renew my support to Father Biaggi whom I spoke to on the phone."
Extreme Vandalism and Property Damage to Church in Barrhead
May 27, 2022, United KingdomIn a series of break-ins at the former South and Levern Church, more than £50,000 of damage was caused by unknown vandals. In the latest act of vandalism on the 27th of May, the organ was destroyed and radiators were torn off the walls. Although the church has been closed, it is still a sight that carries religious sentiment for many people.
Norway: Politician Wants to Abolish All Christian Holidays
May 26, 2022, NorwayAne Breivik, a Young Left leader in Norway, wants to dispose of all Christian holidays and mid-week red days, as they are a "relic from another time." She said that most people don't celebrate them anyway and would prefer to take the time off when they want to. She said this near Ascension holiday, which she used as an example of a holiday that could be removed since this year it landed on a Thursday which is inconvenient for many.
Statue of Madonna Taken from Chapel in Maccarese
May 26, 2022, ItalyOn May 26th, a statue of Madonna was stolen from the Blessed Virgin Mary chapel in Maccarese. The statue is not of great material value, but its spiritual value to the religious community is immense. The Diocese condemned the gesture "In reparation for the offense to the Mother of God and in prayer for the conversion of the hearts of the perpetrators of the crime."
Electric Scooter Entered Basilica During Mass
May 26, 2022, SpainDavid Moreno, a spokesman for VOX Talavera, requested that the driver of the electric scooter, which entered the Basilica of Our Lady of the Prado in Talavera, be identified and charged. He explained that the "offensive acts like this cannot be allowed," and that the driver should be charged with crimes against religious freedom and disrespect of religious sentiment. He said: "no prank justifies disrespect for a Catholic temple, attacking religious sentiments."
Arson Attack on Church in Nonnenweier
May 26, 2022, GermanyOn May 26th, on Ascension Day, a pool of disinfectant was set on fire in the Nonnenweier church, and hymn books were thrown around with their pages torn out. The property damage was around 1000 euros but there were no good clues as to who the perpetrators could be. Pastor Christine Egenlauf, expressed her shock and lamented the incident, also mentioning that someone could have been hurt. The police had started investigating.
Small Chapel Destroyed in Marghera, Venice
May 26, 2022, ItalyThe mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, posted a picture on his Twitter on the 26. May that showed an oratory that had been vandalized in Marghera. The oratory was in Piazzale Giovannacci on the corner with Via Ulloa in Marghera. He also indicated that the perpetrator had been identified by the local Police.
Threatening Graffiti Appears on Church That Helps Ucranian Refugees
May 25, 2022, SpainOn the 25. of April a newspaper reported that a church in Murcia, in the district of Espinardo, was tagged with threatening graffiti. The Holy Spirit parish has been taking seven Ukrainian refugees since March, two mothers with their daughters and one more woman. The inscriptions seem to be against the Ucranians. Other neighbours reported seeing foreigners throwing stones at the women.
Church Information Board Set Alight and Holy Water Fonts Contaminated
May 25, 2022, GermanyOn May 25th, the information board of the Church of St. Antonius in Hörstel was set on fire by unknown perpetrators. The sheets of paper hanging there were burned, which damaged the board, and disinfectant was poured into the holy water fonts. The police began an investigation and was asking for witnesses.
Perpetrators Steal Organ Key, Try to Open Sacrificial Box and Soil Statue in Church
May 25, 2022, GermanyBetween the 21st and 25th of May, unknown intruders broke into the sacristy of the St. Jakobus Church in Sögel. They stole the organ key and hygrometer, but were unsuccessful in an attempt to break open the sacrificial box. The property damage was around 100 euros, and they also soiled a statue. An investigation was started by the police who needed more information.
Saint Statues Decapitated and Damaged in Marseille Church
May 25, 2022, FranceA judicial inquiry was opened into an incident on the 25th of May in which four Statues in the Saint-Henri church in Marseille were damaged, two of the statues were decapitated. Father Gabriel Priou, said, “There was no Eucharistic profanation, but the statues have been defaced." He continued, “A fact like this impacts the Christian community because the church is its home.”
Church in Perugia Vandalized With Political Graffiti
May 24, 2022, ItalyVandals graffitied the wall of the Church of the Madonna dei Cenciarelli, in Perugia, on May 24th. The inscription read: "Enough with NATO: free and sovereign Italy." The vandals damaged an 18th-century old church to write a political message showing a lack of respect for the religious sight. Apart from that, the stairs of the church were stained with beer and rests of food.