All cases
Several Churches of Different Denominations in Traunreut Vandalised
June 25, 2025, GermanyIn Traunreut, a town in Upper Bavaria, four churches from different denominations were vandalised over several days in the month of June. A young married couple admitted to vandalising multiple churches in Bavaria, citing a deep aversion to religious institutions.
Church in Orne desecrated
June 24, 2025, FranceThe tabernacle of the church in Mortagne-au-Perche (Orne) was desecrated on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. The religious building has been temporaily closed and will reopen on Saturday, 28 June for a Mass of Reparation.
Cross Vandalised on Mountain in Haute‑Savoie
June 21, 2025, FranceIn mid‑June 2025, only a few days after it was installed atop the Pointe du Sur Cou, a newly erected cross in Haute‑Savoie was defaced with a tag invoking France’s 1905 law on secularism. Antoine Valentin, mayor of Saint‑Jeoire, condemned the act as a calculated attempt to attack the Christian presence in France rather than a random act of vandalism.
Church Entrance Vandalised at Santissimo Salvatore Church in Noto
June 21, 2025, ItalyIn the early hours of June 20, 2025, unknown vandals damaged a historic Baroque stone column at the entrance of the Santissimo Salvatore Church in Noto, Sicily. The incident was quickly addressed, with authorities and church officials securing the area to prevent further harm. This act of vandalism follows earlier incidents at the same location, including graffiti and minor property damage.
British Catholic Hospices Face Closure Following Assisted Suicide Vote
June 20, 2025, United KingdomBritish Catholic hospices and care homes for the elderly face potential closure after the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was approved at Third Reading in the House of Commons on 20 June, passing by a narrow majority of just 23 votes. This bill, if enacted, would compel Catholic palliative care institutions that refuse to participate in assisted suicide on the basis of Christian teachings to either comply or face closure, raising deep concerns over the protection of institutional conscientious objection.
Arson Attack on Evangelical Street Preacher’s Trailer in Gütersloh
June 20, 2025, GermanyIn the pre-dawn hours of June 20, 2025, unknown assailants set fire to a vehicle trailer belonging to street preacher Henning Heinrich Westrup in Gütersloh, North Rhine‑Westphalia. The trailer, emblazoned with the message “Jesus saves”, suffered extensive damage to its protective tarpaulin and exterior in what authorities are investigating as a deliberate act of arson.
Liturgical Gospel Book Ripped Apart in St. Ulrich bei Steyr Church
June 19, 2025, AustriaBetween Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 June 2025, an unknown individual severely damaged a liturgical gospel at St Ulrich's parish church in Steyr, Austria. Parish staff found the Gospel, which had been left open on the side altar, completely vandalised — every single one of its 300 pages had been torn down the middle.
Man Threatens Guard at Cathédrale de La Major
June 19, 2025, FranceA man was arrested at La Major Cathedral in Marseille after allegedly trampling on graves while shouting “Allahu Akbar” and threatening the site’s security guard.
Church in Lingen Suffered Heavy Vandalism
June 18, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, 2025, unidentified individuals broke into the Romanesque-Gothic St. Alexander Church in Lingen-Schepsdorf, leaving a trail of destruction. Several religious statues were vandalised—one completely destroyed, others defaced with melted wax—deeply shocking the local community, especially as this is not an isolated incident.
New Law on Religious Leadership Risks Criminalising Religious Practice
June 18, 2025, RomaniaIn June 2025, the Romanian Parliament adopted a legislative amendment to the country’s Law on Religious Communities, criminalising the “unauthorised exercise” of clerical or priestly functions. The new provision effectively grants the state and officially recognised religious denominations exclusive authority to determine who may lead religious communities. The amendment raises serious concerns regarding the protection of religious freedom.
Man steals church material amid anti-church statements
June 18, 2025, GermanyA 23-year-old man has been fined for stealing information leaflets and brochures from the parish church of Zum Heiligsten Erlöser. During the trial, the defendant openly expressed hostility towards church institutions.
Profanation of Church in Provins during Festival
June 14, 2025, FranceDuring the medieval festival Médiévales, held on 14–15 June 2025, the Collégiale Saint-Quiriace in Provins was desecrated. This Gothic collegiate church, which is a historic landmark in the Diocese of Meaux, was open to both pilgrims and festival exhibitors. However, several stalls displayed occult and neo-pagan items, including books on Satanism, inside the sacred space. Witnesses also reported seeing a shirtless man dressed as a satyr, wearing horns, parading through the nave, alongside erotic imagery placed among the church’s pillars. The local bishop denounced this violation of the church's spiritual dignity.
Suspected Arson at Fourteen Holy Helpers Chapel
June 12, 2025, GermanyA chapel in Weißenhorn was damaged after unknown individuals set fire to a bouquet inside the building. The incident caused soot damage and is being investigated as suspected arson.
Banner with Hostile Message Displayed at Karlskirche
June 12, 2025, AustriaOn 12 June 2025, a banner with hostile messaging was displayed at a church in Vienna ahead of a pro-life march. The act forms part of a series of incidents targeting Christian sites in the city.
Suspected Arson at Laval’s Sainte‑Trinité Cathedral Behind Scaffolding
June 11, 2025, FranceIn the early morning hours of June 11, 2025, a fire erupted on the scaffolding attached to the left side of the Sainte-Trinité Cathedral in Laval, Mayenne. The blaze, which began around 5 a.m., was quickly extinguished by firefighters after being alerted by a passerby.
Witness Suspects Arson at Saint-Pierre Church in Pontlevoy
June 11, 2025, FranceOn the afternoon of June 11, 2025, a small fire broke out inside the Église Saint-Pierre in Pontlevoy, southwestern Loir-et-Cher, France. The blaze started on a curtain near the sacristy and produced heavy smoke that filled the church, though damage fortunately remained limited. A passing resident, who attempted to extinguish the flames, alerted the fire department—leading investigators to suspect the incident may have been deliberate.
Arson Attack at Market Drayton’s St Mary’s Church
June 9, 2025, United KingdomSt Mary’s Church in Market Drayton, Shropshire, was the target of a deliberate arson attack. Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted on the morning of 9 June, arriving to find the large oak rear door of the church engulfed in flames. The fire was threatening to spread to nearby curtains and wooden roof timbers. Thanks to their swift emergency response, firefighters contained the fire before it could cause more extensive damage.
Vandals Cause Extensive Damage to Great Yarmouth Minster Windows
June 9, 2025, United KingdomAccording to a BBC article, published on June 9th, the historic Great Yarmouth Minster, the largest parish church in England, was targeted by vandals who hurled stones at its leaded windows, shattering dozens of diamond-shaped panes and severely damaging one large stained-glass window. The attack occurred in broad daylight, while church wardens were still cleaning up earlier damage. During the cleanup, another stone was thrown through a window, prompting staff to run outside and spot two teenage boys fleeing the scene.
Vandalism St. Anna Basilica in Altötting: Pentecost Service Relocated
June 8, 2025, GermanyOn the night before Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, a 19-year-old man vandalised the pilgrimage church of St. Anna in Altötting, damaging and soiling numerous sacred objects. Police estimate the resulting property damage to be in the mid-five-figure range. The violent incident disrupted morning Pentecost services.
Vandalism and Anti-Christian Slogans Target Karlskirche and Antonskirche in Vienna
June 8, 2025, AustriaOn 8 June 2025, a church in Vienna was targeted in a severe act of vandalism involving the destruction of memorial crosses and anti-religious graffiti reading “Islam will prevail”. The incident combined property damage with elements of desecration and ideological messaging.
Orthodox Chapel in Olbia Desecrated on Pentecost Sunday
June 7, 2025, ItalyOn the night of June 7th–8th, 2025, during Pentecost celebrations, the Orthodox chapel of Santa Croce in Olbia, Sardinia, was desecrated in a deeply disturbing attack. The door of the chapel, which is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, was broken open, sacred objects were defiled, and an icon of Christ Pantocrator was destroyed. Parish priest Fr. Nikolay Volskyy described the incident as painful and explicitly anti-Christian, while Don Gianni Satta of the neighboring Catholic parish condemned the act as a cowardly offense against religious faith.
Repeated Vandalism and Desecration Target Church in Trento
June 7, 2025, ItalyA church in Trento was targeted in a fourth attempted break-in, amid a series of incidents involving vandalism and degrading behaviour affecting multiple nearby church sites.
Church in Sindelfingen Vandalised
June 7, 2025, GermanyA church situated on Liebenzeller Straße in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, was targeted in a spree of vandalism. The damage was discovered later that day, with police confirming that unknown individuals had overturned liturgical furnishings, breaking off several candle holders, removing floral arrangements, plant pots, shelving, and other church fixtures, and relocating them to the building’s entrance vestibule.
Germany: Anti-Christian Hate Crimes rise by 22%
June 6, 2025, GermanyThe German Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) recorded 337 politically motivated anti-Christian hate crimes for 2024, an increase of 21.66% from 277 crimes in 2023. This represents a continuation of the negative trend observed in the previous year, during which anti-Christian hate crimes increased by 100%.
Swastika Graffiti Defaces Church in Altmannstein
June 6, 2025, GermanyA church in Altmannstein was vandalised with a swastika, indicating an ideologically charged act targeting a place of worship.
Desecration of Crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie Forest
June 5, 2025, PolandA wooden roadside crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie, Poland, was deliberately vandalised in a shocking incident. The perpetrators sawed off the arms of the figure of Jesus, turned it upside down and draped rubbish over the desecrated image. Locals say this was timed to coincide with a significant celebration at the nearby sanctuary marking the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Our Lady of Pokorna. Residents described the incident as a deeply symbolic and intentional assault on their place of prayer.
Nocturnal Vandalism at Monthey Church: Confessional Left in “Appalling Condition”
June 5, 2025, SwitzerlandA church in Monthey was affected by repeated acts of nighttime vandalism, including misuse of liturgical objects and damage inside the building. The incidents prompted the parish to restrict access.
Vandalism Defaces Fresco in Baveno Church
June 4, 2025, ItalyAs reported on June 4th, the Church complex of Gervaso e Protaso in Baveno, on Lake Maggiore, saw intentional vandalism to one of its Via Crucis frescoes and the toppled external cross. The community reacted with sadness and concern, prompting calls for reflection and collective response.
Religious Statue Stolen from Church in Ashby de la Launde
June 2, 2025, United KingdomA church in Ashby de la Launde was targeted in a theft involving religious objects, including a statue of St Francis of Assisi. The incident has prompted concerns within the local community and led to increased security measures.
Vandalism at St. Michael's Church in Sonthofen
June 1, 2025, GermanyA church in Sonthofen was vandalised with graffiti accusing the institution of abuse. The wording of the message points to a defamatory and accusatory motive beyond material damage.
Spanish Evangelicals banned from using funeral chapels
May 31, 2025, SpainIn May 2025, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) filed a formal complaint with the Spanish ombudsman, denouncing discrimination against the evangelical community in Spain, including a ban on using funeral chapels.
St. Anton's Church in Vienna Vandalised With Anti-Religious Slogans
May 31, 2025, AustriaThe Church of St. Anton of Padua in Vienna’s 10th district, Favoriten, was once again defaced with graffiti, marking the third such incident within a short period. This time, the perpetrators spray-painted a mix of meaningless phrases and clear slogans with religious connotations on the church walls.
Rushmoor Council Withdraws Proposed Ban on Christians Street Preachers
May 31, 2025, United KingdomIn March 2025, Rushmoor Borough Council applied for a court order that would have significantly restricted public expressions of Christian faith—including prayer, singing, and the distribution of religious literature. Following public backlash and engagement with local churches and legal representatives, the Council withdrew the proposed injunction.
Vandals Assault Parishioner And Destroy Church Window During Choir Practice
May 30, 2025, United KingdomOn 30 May, 2025, a choir member was physically assaulted and a historic stained-glass window was broken during an evening rehearsal at St. Mary the Virgin Church in West Derby, Liverpool. This attack deeply shook both the choir members and the wider parish and raises concerns about personal safety in this sacred space.
Swastika Carved Into Church Door
May 28, 2025, GermanyA church in Berlin was vandalised with Nazi symbols, including a swastika and SS runes. Authorities are investigating the incident as ideologically motivated act targeting a place of worship.
Catholic Building Defaced With anti-Catholic Slogan
May 28, 2025, SpainA Mairena del Aljarafe association of Catholic faithful was targeted in a vandalism incident when the exterior of its premises was defaced with the anti‑Catholic slogan "The most beautiful church is the one that burns the most."".
Graphic Depicting Violence Against Christians Shared Ahead of Vienna March for Life
May 27, 2025, AustriaOn 27 May 2025, a graphic portraying violence against a Christian figure was shared on an Instagram account linked to left-wing extremist group in Vienna. The image formed part of a broader series of hostile posts targeting religious groups.
Altar Destroyed in Vandalism Attack on Shrine in Atri
May 26, 2025, ItalyThe Sanctuary of Santa Rita shrine in Atri was vandalised, with the altar overturned and liturgical objects damaged, leaving the faithful and the entire religious community dismayed.
Chapel and cemetery in Levens damaged by fires
May 26, 2025, FranceThe commune of Levens in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France experienced a series of deliberate fires targeting sacred sites. The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and the adjacent cemetery were both affected, with fires being started on the altar cloths in the chapel and in plastic flower pots in front of several graves. These acts of vandalism have left the local community in shock and mourning, particularly as some of the incidents occurred during visits to the cemetery on Mother's Day.
Spanish Court Bans Father From Sharing Faith With His Son
May 26, 2025, SpainSpain’s Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal of an evangelical father seeking to share his religious beliefs with his young son. The Court upheld earlier rulings that prohibit him from taking the child to church or reading the Bible with him, granting the mother exclusive authority over the child’s religious upbringing until the age of twelve.
Church in Athens Defaced with Pro-Palestinian Graffiti and Anarchist Symbols
May 25, 2025, GreeceA church in Athens was extensively vandalised with pro-Palestinian graffiti and anarchist symbols, covering a large portion of the building’s exterior. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among the parish and local community.
Newly renovated chapel desecrated in Poland
May 24, 2025, PolandOn the night of the 23rd to the 24th of May, unknown perpetrators destroyed the more than 150-year-old Catholic Chapel of Our Lady in Tarnawa Dolna. In another chapel, located in Wielopole, the glass was broken, but thanks to the fence, there was no major damage.
Two Christian Shrines Vandalised in Zagórz
May 23, 2025, PolandOn 23 May, two acts of vandalism were committed against Christian shrines in the Zagórz municipality. In Tarnawa Dolna, the perpetrator smashed the glass of a shrine, removed statues depicting saints, and damaged and scattered them nearby. In a second incident in Zagórz, on Batorego Street, two more shrine windows were broken.
Repeated Vandalism Reported at Historic Church in Cuevas del Almanzora
May 22, 2025, SpainA historic church in Cuevas del Almanzora has been repeatedly targeted by acts of vandalism, prompting calls for better protective measures and highlighting the vulnerability of the place of worship.
Church in Vignola Defaced with Violent Political Graffiti
May 21, 2025, ItalyA church in Vignola was vandalised with politically charged and violent graffiti. The slogans, referencing historical political violence, indicate an ideological motive beyond ordinary vandalism.
Catholic cemetery and chapel vandalised
May 21, 2025, NetherlandsThe chapel and cemetery in Doorwerth were severely damaged. A statue of Mary was decapitated, a wooden cross bearing a figure of Jesus was smashed, and debris was scattered everywhere. This shocking act has left the faith community in disbelief.
Church in Cagliari Defaced with Political and Anarchist Graffiti
May 19, 2025, ItalyA church in Cagliari was vandalised with political graffiti and an anarchist symbol. The act targeted the façade and reflects ideological messaging.
Churches in Zweibrücken Repeatedly Targeted
May 19, 2025, GermanyIn Zweibrücken, both Protestant and Catholic churches have been repeatedly vandalised, prompting concern among church leaders. Dean Peter Butz and Pastor Wolfgang Emanuel have reported ongoing damage to church buildings, including graffiti, smashed windows and cases of desecration.
Man assaulted in Berlin after revealing Christian faith
May 19, 2025, GermanyA 24-year-old man was attacked in Wedding, Berlin, after revealing that he was Christian. On the night of 19 May, he was approached by several individuals who asked him about his religious beliefs. After answering that he was Christian, he was physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries. The authorities are investigating the attack as an anti-Christian hate crime.
Church repeatedly vandalised
May 18, 2025, GermanyIn recent weeks, the Catholic Church of St Michael in Ebersbach, has been repeatedly targeted by unknown vandals who have committed acts of arson and desecration. Between 1 and 18 May, intruders started small fires in various locations within the church, including the altar and pews, sometimes using matches and paper. Some of these fires were later extinguished with holy water. The most recent incident, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May, caused several hundred euros' worth of property damage, leaving burnt marks on the carpet near the ambo and signs of tampering throughout the sacred space.