All cases
Statue of Mary Burned inside Bobbio Church
August 28, 2025, ItalyA statue of the Mary was deliberately damaged with fire in the church of Santa Maria di Bobbio, prompting outrage and concern over escalating acts of sacrilege in the region.
Second Arson at Peine Church Within Two Months
August 27, 2025, GermanyA fire was deliberately set near the side entrance of the Church of the Holy Angels in Peine, marking the second such arson attack in two months and also following a cemetery desecration, prompting a state security investigation.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Taurianova in Second Theft Within Days
August 26, 2025, ItalyOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators targeted a church in Taurianova, where the tabernacle was desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context and occurred amid a second theft affecting the same parish within days.
Tabernacle Forced and Consecrated Host Stolen from Church in Bidache
August 26, 2025, FranceOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators forced open the tabernacle of a church in Bidache and stole a ciborium and a lunule containing a large consecrated host. The theft of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Excrements Smeared on Church Wall
August 24, 2025, ItalyThe historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.
Church vandalised with wax
August 24, 2025, GermanyA church in Beuren, Hochwald, was vandalised, including through the deliberate pouring of melted wax over seating. The incident caused damage to church property and created fire hazards inside the building.
Arson and Vandalism Desecrated Church in Panilleuse
August 23, 2025, FranceDuring the night of August 22–23, 2025, the church of Panilleuse was subjected to a serious act of vandalism. The altar was partially burned, and significant damage was inflicted, forcing the community to relocate the planned services.
Church Windows Smashed in Suspected Attempted Desecration in Palamós
August 23, 2025, SpainUnknown individuals climbed onto the roof of a church in Palamós and broke stained-glass windows in what local witnesses deemed as an attempted intrusion.
Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier
August 20, 2025, FranceA 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.
Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism
August 18, 2025, ItalyDue to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.
Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire
August 17, 2025, SpainOn 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.
Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass
August 16, 2025, FranceA suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.
300‑Year‑Old Outdoor Cross Destroyed by Sledgehammer
August 15, 2025, FranceA centuries‑old stone cross atop the Col de la Crouzette in Ariège was destroyed by sledgehammer attacks during the weekend of 15 August, sparking outrage among the local community.
Wooden Memorial Cross Stolen from Graveyard
August 14, 2025, United KingdomA wooden memorial cross engraved was stolen from a church graveyard in Broadhempston, causing deep distress to his family and prompting a police appeal.
Church in Mallorca Defaced with Offensive Graffiti
August 13, 2025, SpainThe parish of the Verge del Carme in Palma’s Santa Catalina neighbourhood was defaced with graffiti and offensive messages targeting the church.
Strange Ritual Altar Setup On Graves Bearing Crosses at Polish War Cemetery
August 13, 2025, PolandInstallation resembling a ritual altar was discovered on soldiers' graves at War Cemetery No. 91 in Gorlice, prompting outrage among locals and a police investigation into possible desecration and religious offense.
Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake
August 13, 2025, SwedenSweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.
20 Bomb Threat Calls Targeting Cordoba Cathedral
August 12, 2025, SpainA man was arrested in connection with a series of bomb threat calls to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Córdoba, Spain.
Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities
August 11, 2025, SpainJust days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.
Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyA recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.
Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyThe Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.
Altar Desecration and Attempted Theft at Church in Cittaducale
August 6, 2025, ItalyOn 8 August 2025, two individuals were reported for desecration and attempted theft at a church in Cittaducale. The incident involved degrading acts inside the church and repeated attempts to break into donation boxes.
Arson Attack at the Hermitage of Our Lady of Puerto Rico
August 6, 2025, SpainThe old hermitage in Puerto Escondido was damaged by an arson attack, which targeted a cross above its entrance door.
Satanic Graffiti Found on Church in Neuchâtel
August 4, 2025, SwitzerlandIn early August 2025, the Collegiate Church of Neuchâtel was vandalised with spray-painted slogans referencing Satanism, anti-capitalism, and pro-Intifada messages, and anti‑church sentiments. The church’s pastor condemned the act, stating, "There is truly a desire to attack this building. There are clearly messages against the Church and several satanic symbols."
Two Tabernacles Forced and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Thillois
August 3, 2025, FranceBetween 2 and 3 August 2025, unknown perpetrators forced open two tabernacles at a church in Thillois and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Tabernacle Forced and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church Near Reims
August 3, 2025, FranceA church in Thillois was targeted in a break-in involving the forced opening of the tabernacle and the theft of a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The act is considered a serious profanation in the Catholic context.
Arson Destroyed Historic St Mungo’s Church in Cumbernauld
August 2, 2025, United KingdomA massive fire tore through St Mungo’s Church in Cumbernauld, prompting a large-scale emergency response. Police confirmed it to be arson.
Statue of St. Francis Vandalized with Motor Oil
August 1, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals poured used motor oil over a stone statue of St. Francis in front of the village chapel at Markstetten. The act has caused widespread shock in the community.
Priest attacked in Hubová
July 29, 2025, SlovakiaOn July 29, a Catholic priest was attacked in his house. According to the mayor of Hubová, the attacker appeared at the parish house and assaulted the priest in the entrance hall with an electric cable. The priest sustained minor injuries to his face and legs, but managed to push the man outside, lock the door behind him and alert the police.
Vandalism of Wooden Statue
July 29, 2025, GermanyOn July 29, unknown individuals entered the church, damaged a wooden statue as well as the interior plaster, and then fled without being identified. The damage is estimated at several hundred euros. The motives for the act are still under investigation.
Anti-Christian slogan and satanic symbols on Church in Pesaro
July 27, 2025, ItalyDuring the weekend of July 27, the facade of the Maddalena Church of Pesaro was defaced with the phrase “Clean churches, silent people,” along with a pentagram, which is commonly used as Satanic symbol, and black paint drawings resembling foetuses.
Vandals Destroy Two Crosses in Zawiercie
July 27, 2025, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalised two roadside crosses in Zawiercie County, Poland, overnight, prompting a call for an expiatory service by Bishop Artur Ważny. In one incident a wooden roadside cross was broken and the figure of Christ on it destroyed and in the other a cross was disfigured and painted pink.
Church Damaged by Stone Throwing in Neustadt
July 27, 2025, GermanyHoly Trinity Church in Neustadt was targeted in an act of vandalism after unknown individuals threw stones at the building, damaging five historic stained-glass windows.
Vandalism of Catholic Academy and Church ahead of Award to Bishop Barron
July 27, 2025, GermanyIn the days leading up to the Josef‑Pieper Prize ceremony in Münster, vandals sprayed slogans on the Franz‑Hitze‑Haus academy and local church and defaced several Christian statues with red paint. State security has since launched an investigation.
Armed Robbery Attempted During Mass
July 27, 2025, ItalyA masked gunman stormed into the chapel of the Dominican Sisters' institute in Sant'Anastasia, near Naples, during Mass. He attempted to rob the congregation and fired a blank shot into the air.
Pro‑Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Mass at La Madeleine in Paris
July 26, 2025, FranceOn the evening of July 26, 2025, pro‑Palestinian activists entered La Madeleine church in Paris during Mass, shouting slogans about the conflict in Gaza, thus interrupting the liturgy. The rector of the church denounced the demonstration as a violation of sacred ritual, stating he intended to press charges.
Cross sawn up and corpus placed upside down
July 25, 2025, GermanyVandals sawed down a roughly two-metre-high cross outside a church in Bann, desecrated the figure of Christ, and urinated in the sacristy—prompting shock in the local community and an ongoing police investigation.
Historic Chapel in Limbiate Vandalized Overnight
July 25, 2025, ItalyVandals broke into the small chapel at Villa Pusterla in Mombello di Limbiate and destroyed interior fixtures, decapitating the statue of Saint Anthony. Officials confirmed the incident as intentional vandalism and urged improved security.
Arson attack on the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church in Paris
July 24, 2025, FranceThe Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris was closed to the public after two fires occurred within 48 hours on July 23 and 24, 2025. One of the fires was confirmed to be of criminal origin. Authorities launched an investigation while restoration has begun on the damaged interior.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Campagnola in Suspected Sacrilegious Theft
July 21, 2025, ItalyOn 21 July, unknown perpetrators forced open the tabernacle of a church in Campagnola Emilia and stole consecrated hosts. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context. The incident indicates elements beyond financial motivation, as the primary target appears to have been the consecrated hosts rather than valuables.
Arson at Germany's Largest Wooden Church
July 20, 2025, GermanyA fire damaged the facade and roof truss of the Evangelical Marktkirche in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the night of July 20, 2025, in what officials later determined to be arson.
Arson Attack on Church in Transcarpatia with Anti-Hungarian Threats
July 16, 2025, UkraineOn July 16, 2025, unknown perpetrators set fire to a church in Palad-Komarivtsi, Transcarpatia, and left a threatening message targeting Hungary.
Syrian Christian Asylum Seekers under Threat
July 15, 2025, NetherlandsIn a recent statement, the Interchurch Foundation warned that discrimination against Syrian Christians in Dutch asylum seeker centres had increased sharply over the past six months. For example, a Christian Syrian mother was threatened with death and told that her family would be targeted. Understandably, such threats have caused serious fear among Christian asylum seekers, some of whom are now hiding their religion to avoid being targeted.
Arson and Break-in: Repeated targeting of churches in Sierck-les-Bains
July 13, 2025, FranceOn the night of 13 July, the room adjoining the church in Sierck-les-Bains was vandalised. The white plastic door was completely destroyed. A week earlier, two teenagers had been arrested for setting fire to a chapel in the same municipality.
Vandalism at Evangelical church in Pyskowice
July 13, 2025, PolandOn 13 July , vandals desecrated the grounds of the Evangelical-Augsburg parish, tearing off a rain gutter, damaging a masonry wall, and spraying vulgar graffiti on the bell tower door. The local pastor warned against an erosion of respect for places of worship and the Evangelical community in Pyskowice.
Church desecrated by excrement
July 13, 2025, FranceThe Arudy church was desecrated overnight on 13 July, with a large amount of faeces left inside and outside the building. The parish priest intends to file a complaint. He also found urine on the sacristy door and the tablecloth that usually covers the altar thrown over the stools.
Historic Romford Church Damaged by Apple-Throwing
July 11, 2025, United KingdomIn the early hours of July 11, two boys threw apples at Church House, part of St Edward’s Church in Romford, shattering multiple windows.
Vandalism in Münster church leads to restricted opening hours
July 10, 2025, GermanyAs reported on 10 July, St. Bonifatius Church in Münster will remain closed outside of services due to a series of troubling acts of vandalism. According to the local pastor, Dr Heike Köhler, the building has repeatedly been defiled with faeces and littered with broken beer bottles. There have also been incidents of arson. Most recently, photographs of baptism candidates were deliberately set on fire.
Incitement to burn churches and priests
July 9, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of 9 July, graffiti inciting violence against churches and priests was discovered on a house next to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The slogan read: "Churches should be burned down, but with the priests inside; otherwise it's not enough". An anarchist and transgender symbol was placed next to the quote.
Wycombe Church Issues Appeal for CCTV Amid Safety Concerns for Clergy and Congregants
July 9, 2025, United KingdomAfter a surge in anti-social behavior—including knife crime and drug activity—All Saints Church in High Wycombe is making a renewed appeal to install CCTV cameras. Reverend Anthony Searle described the situation as a “serious and ongoing threat” to public safety, especially for clergy and congregants.