All cases
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.
Leaflets in A Church Catch Fire
June 15, 2022, FranceSome leaflets caught fire in the Saint-Jacques church on 15. June during the lunch break in Corne-sur-Loire. The leaflets were located at the entrance of the church building, police are investigating. The fire was quickly brought under control by the fire brigade and did not cause any further damage.
Jewels and Relics Stolen from a Church in Drogheda
June 14, 2022, IrelandA man has been charged with stealing relics and jewels and a crucifix from a monstrance in St Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland, on 14 June. The defendant is further accused of damaging the monstrance. He caused 1,000€ worth of damage and is currently in custody.
Catholic Church Vandalized in Helden
June 13, 2022, GermanyOn June 13, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. unknown vandals broke into the Catholic Church in Helden, where they vandalized several furnishings and stole the microphone that was on the altar. The property damage is estimated to be in the four-digit euro range. Also, between June 12 and 13, unidentified thieves stole decorations from a grave in the cemetery located behind the church. It is unclear whether these acts were committed by the same perpetrators.
Loudspeaker stolen from Church in Neustadt
June 13, 2022, GermanyOn the 13th of June, between 10:00 a.m. and 11 a.m., an unknown thief stole an installed loudspeaker from a church in Neustadt. The theft was reported to the police, who are now looking for the culprit.
17-Year-Old Teenager Guilty of Arson in Church Garden
June 13, 2022, ItalyOn June 13, a fire was set to a palm tree in the garden of the church of San Leopoldo Mandic, in Padua. The friars reported the case to the police, whose investigations led to the 17-year-old teenager from Ponte San Nicolò, then held responsible for the damage. Fortunately, no significant damage was recorded, apart from that caused to the plant.
Church of Saint Antony of Padua Vandalized
June 12, 2022, ItalyDuring the night, between the 11th and the 12th of June, the church of Sant'Antonio di Padova was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown people entered the church, by breaking a window, possibly looking to steal money or some valuable items. The vandals did not steal anything, but started drinking inside the church and vandalized it. Consecrated hosts were found scattered on the floor and the tablecloth on the altar had traces of blood. The blood found is suspected to be from one of the thieves who might have been injured while breaking into the church. The case was reported to the police, who started conducting investigations and collected the bloody tablecloth hoping it leads them to the culprits.
Four Ukrainian Churches Harassed and Forced to Close by Russian Soldiers
June 12, 2022, UkraineBetween June 12 and 16, four Protestant Churches were harassed in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, by soldiers and officials. Three of the churches are located in the Donetsk region - Central Baptist Church, the Church of Christ the Saviour in Mariupol, and a church in Manhush - and the other one is a church in Vasilievka in the Zaporizhia region. According to Dr. Hyun Sook Foley, representative of the Voice of the Martyrs Korea, officials conducted searches in these churches, demanded to see documents, confiscated equipment, and even forced church members to exit the building.
Wooden Eagle lectern stolen from church
June 12, 2022, United KingdomThe wooden eagle lectern was stolen from St Mary's Church in Gunthorpe by unknown perpetrators. The theft is believed to have taken place at some point during the weekend of Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. The police were able to return the eagle lectern the Church in Gunthorpe.
Windows of a Church in Wolverhampton Smashed with Stones
June 11, 2022, United KingdomThe West Midlands police have released CCTV footage of three people wanted for smashing the windows of Life City Church with stones on 11 and 13 June. The damage to the church was £1000 and a complaint has been made.
Four Fires Started Inside Church in Binge
June 10, 2022, BelgiumOn the 10th of June a big fire broke out in the Church of Recollects in Binche that consumed most of the church. The authorities detected three separate fires inside the building, which indicates a willful criminal act. The church was no longer in use but it was protected as a historical monument. After the fire, the authorities had to consider demolishing the building, due to its instability.