All cases
Children from Football Club Threatened with Sanctions if They go to First Communion Ceremony
May 24, 2022, SpainThe Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation refused to change the date of a match, forcing the young players from Membrilla's football team to choose between celebrating their first communion or playing the league final. The Federation further threatened them with sanctions, since the parents choose the church instead of submitting to the sports institution.
Paint Bombs Thrown at Church in Tacoronte, Tenerife
May 23, 2022, SpainA few days before the 23rd of May, the façade of the Santa Catalina church in Tacoronte was splashed with red paint by an unknown person. The primary target of the graffiti was a plaque that has been in place since 1938 and bears the name of the founder José Antonio Primo de Rivera on it. Although he was a political figure which could be the motive for the attack, a church has also suffered the consequences and it will take around 3,000 euros to restore.
Vandals Try to Break-In in Church Leaving 3000 Euro Damage
May 23, 2022, GermanyUnknown people attempted to break into the church in Melsung on May 23rd and caused significant damage. The tried to open the doors and windows to gain access to the inside of the church but were unsuccessful. The property damage was around 3,000 euros.
Windows Broken by Teenagers at Ringmer Church
May 23, 2022, United KingdomThe stained glass windows of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Ringmer were broken by youth with catapults and ball bearings on May 23rd. The police identified the culprits and confiscated their catapults. A police spokesperson said: “The youths will subsequently be coming into Lewes Police Station to account for their actions.”
Church in Abruzzo Attacked with Stones
May 23, 2022, ItalyThe façade of the Church of S.Onofrio, connected to the Convent of the Zoccolanti of Raiano, was kicked and stoned by unknown people on May 23rd. The church dates back to the 17th century and is in Abruzzo. A complaint was filed and the carabinieri started an investigation but people were left dismayed and angry.
Red Tags Smeared on Church in Andria
May 23, 2022, ItalyThe façade of the Church of the Madonna del Carmine in Andria was tagged with red paint on May 23rd. This was not the first of such incidents and the State police immediately began an investigation to find out who painted the graffiti.
Chapel of Our Lady in Legionowo Vandalized
May 23, 2022, PolandShortly after the statue of the Pope was vandalized in Legionowo, the Chapel of Our Lady at the roundabout near Krasińskiego Street was devastated. The unknown perpetrator broke the glass in front of a figure and bent the cross. The police were investigating the incident to find the criminal who would be charged with offending religious feelings and damage to property.
18 Graves Vandalised at Cemetery and Knocked Down Crosses
May 23, 2022, FranceBetween the 22 to 23 May, 18 graves were vandalized or damaged in the cemetery of Rocquemont, a commune located between Rouen and Saint-Saëns. The perpetrators damaged ornamental plaques, decorations and flower pots. A person who lives near the cemetery heard the noise that night and reported it.
Newtown Church Windows Vandalized For a Second Time
May 22, 2022, United KingdomAfter the windows of the St. David's Church in Newtown were broken the month before, someone returned to break them again on the 22nd of May. The church has not been used for many years but is a historic building and a religious symbol. Paul Williams, a local, said: "This is really sickening yet again. Whoever you are, stop it."
Statistics in Brussels show: 53 Churches Vandalized and 1 Mosque
May 22, 2022, BelgiumBetween 2019 and 2022, 53 cases of church vandalism were recorded in Brussels, while only 1 mosque was vandalized in the same region and time frame. Dominiek Lootens, leader of the Vlaams Belang group in the Brussels Parliament, wrote to Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort and asked him to communicate the extent of the damage, reported "Our Central Europe". The report also pointed out that the media and politics failed to mention these numbers as they refuse to recognize this type of biased discrimination against Christians.
Arson Attack to Catholic Chapel in Newry
May 22, 2022, United KingdomSt Catherine’s Dominican Chapel, a Catholic chapel in Newry, was targeted by arsonists who set religious books and pamphlets on fire. Nobody was hurt, in the incident which happened on the 22nd of May, but the head priest had to put the fire out. A witness said they saw youths running from the scene and it was guessed that they were the arsonists.
Teenage Arsonist Causes 5000 Euro Damage to Church in Spalt
May 21, 2022, GermanyDuring the afternoon on the 21st of May, a fire was noticed in a church in Spalt, that caused 5,000 euros worth of damage. An altar cloth, that was lying on the side altar, caught fire along with a wooden frame that spread the fire to the entrance door. After a police investigation, the fire was thought to be arson and eventually a suspect was arrested. Proceedings were started against the potential teenage arsonist for property damage and disruption of religious practice. The police later confirmed that the fire had been caused by arson.
Statue of Madonna Stolen from Church in Lodi
May 21, 2022, ItalyOn the afternoon of May the 21st, a small marble statue of Madonna was stolen from the parish church in Lodi. No sign of a break in was found, so it was concluded that the thief must have waited till soon after mass, and then broken the statue off from near the side of the altar. The carabinieri were notified and carried out an inspection.
Vienna: Historic Karlskirche Smeared with Graffiti (Again)
May 21, 2022, AustriaOn the 21st of May, the Karlskirche in Vienna was graffitied for the fourth time in 2022. It is not known who did it. According to the Witness who reported these incidents, this is the worst year so far with vandalism and there are damages to the church almost every day.
Thieves Break in and Steal Consecrated Hosts in Guia
May 21, 2022, ItalyHosts were stolen from the Ancient Church of San Gregorio in Valdobbiadene on May 21st. The side door of the church was forced open and then the intruder opened the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts. Fr Romeo Penon, parish priest of Valdobbiadene, said: "It is a sacrilege, we fear that they are destined for black masses or séances"
Pope's Monument in Legionowo Vandalized Repeated Times
May 21, 2022, PolandOn May 21st, the statue of the Pope in a park in Legionowo was vandalized. Flags of the church, papal, and Ukraine, were stolen from the statue's hands, and the Polish flag, was torn and pressed into the crucifix. This was not the first time the statue has been attacked and the police began an investigation to find out who committed the act.
Theft and Vandalism in Ralingen Church
May 21, 2022, GermanyMobile phones that had been collected in the Ralingen church donation box, were stolen on May 21st. Beer was also spilt near the altar which did not cause damage to the altar but tainted the sacred space. Earlier, the pastor noticed several young people who were drinking in the area of the church. The police started an investigation and requested that places of worship be respected.
Orthodox Church seized and raided by armed group
May 21, 2022, UkraineA Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ivankov (Kyiv region) was raided by unidentified armed persons. The perpetrators cut down the lock of the church and raided the interior, expelling the parishioners and the priest. When the clergy of the church tried to file a crime report, the police refused to take it seriously. It was the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Graffiti on Santa Maria Church in Palermo
May 20, 2022, ItalyInscriptions painted in black were discovered on the façade of the Santa Maria di Valverde church in Palermo. The incident was reported on May 20th and residents thought it happened during the night but were not sure who did it. The writing was made with spray paint and detracts from the beauty of the church.
Church in Ayrshire Repeatedly Targeted by Vandals
May 20, 2022, United KingdomThe Kilmarnock South Parish Church in Ayrshire, was repeatedly targeted by vandals during May. Over several weeks, doors were smashed and glass was broken by a group of youth who were seen on CCTV. A spokesperson for The Well, an outreach group that organizes events at the church, said: "We are slowly trying to get the place up and running to serve the community but this is just soul destroying."