All cases
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.
London's Hyde Park: Knifeman threatened to stab Christian preacher at Speakers' Corner
May 25, 2025, United KingdomA Sudanese man was convicted of knife-related crime against a Christian preacher at Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner.
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.
Consecrated Hosts Desecrated in Church in Venegono Superiore
May 16, 2025, ItalyA church in Venegono Superiore was desecrated after perpetrators overturned the tabernacle and scattered consecrated hosts on the ground. The act directly targeted elements central to Catholic worship and deeply affected the local community.
Double arson attacks at Sweden's church
May 15, 2025, SwedenIn May 2025, the historic wooden church in Älvsbyn, Sweden, fell victim to two suspected arson attacks within a short period of time. The first incident occurred on 11 May, when the remains of a small fire were discovered on the church's porch. The second attack took place shortly before 3 am on 15 May, when a fire was started at the entrance to the church. The police are investigating the attacks as arson.
Tabernacle Damaged in Church in Lyon
May 15, 2025, FranceA man was arrested inside a church in Lyon after damaging the tabernacle and a donation box. The act directly targeted objects of central importance to Catholic worship.
Repeated Thefts and Acts of Desecration Target Church of San Ferdinando in Naples
May 15, 2025, ItalyA church in Naples was targeted by repeated thefts and acts of vandalism. The incidents included damage to religious objects and behaviour perceived as disrespectful toward the sacred character of the site.
Karlskirche in Vienna Targeted with Political Graffiti
May 15, 2025, AustriaA church in Vienna was vandalised with politically motivated graffiti, including pro-Palestinian slogans. The incident forms part of repeated vandalism affecting the site.
Repeated vandalism in Essen - Muslim youths start campaign to protect church
May 15, 2025, GermanyThe church in Essen-Altendorf is increasingly being plagued by vandalism. The Kreuzeskirche, a historic Protestant church located in the city center, has recently been subjected to vandalism. Unknown perpetrators defaced the church's exterior by spray-painting a skull image on its walls adding to the problem of repeatedly broken windows.
San Francisco Parish Wall Vandalized In Response to Church Festivities
May 13, 2025, SpainGraffiti criticizing firework use during Rute’s May Festivities defaced the parish of San Francisco, prompting condemnation from local religious leaders and discussions of joint action with the City Council.
Attempted arson at the Church of Sant'Agnese
May 12, 2025, ItalyEarly on 12 May 2025, an attempted arson attack was carried out on the small church of Sant’Agnese in Città Sant’Angelo, Abruzzo. The wooden entrance door was set alight using a flammable liquid, but the quick action of local residents and firefighters prevented further damage. This incident followed an act of vandalism just four days earlier, when the glass of a votive shrine in the Crocifisso area was shattered.
Second arson attack on St Mary's Chapel in one year
May 12, 2025, GermanyOn the evening of 12 May, St Mary's Chapel at St Margaret's Parish Church in Kahl am Main was targeted with arson for the second time this year. A church pew with seat cushions caught fire in a side wing of the building, causing toxic smoke to spread throughout the entire church. Although the flames had largely extinguished themselves by the time firefighters arrived, extensive smoke damage had been caused. The police are now searching for the arsonist.
Priest attacked by youths who threatened to set fire to his church
May 10, 2025, FranceOn the evening of 10 May, a group of young people approached the priest of the parish of Montfavet in Avignon and asked to enter the church, saying that they wanted to convert to Christianity. When they went in, they insulted the priest, shouted "Allah Akbar" and declared that they wanted to burn the building down, and then fled.
Repeat Vandalism Hits Church One Year On
May 10, 2025, ItalyThe Church of Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, was targeted by vandals for the second consecutive year. The perpetrators forced their way into the church and caused significant damage. Local residents, alerted by the noise, contacted the parish priest and the police. The swift response of the authorities caused the vandals to flee through the rear of the church.
Chemical Attack Targets Christian Congress
May 10, 2025, GermanyA butyric acid attack took place at the Christian “Leben.Würde” congress at the Schönblick conference centre in Schwäbisch Gmünd, resulting in disruption and damage to the venue.
Church attacked with stones after recent destruction of crib
May 9, 2025, ItalyThe small countryside church of Madonna di Valverde in Dorgali, Sardinia, was vandalised when unknown individuals broke the door lock and threw stones inside. Although the altar and sacred objects were left untouched, this incident has shocked the local community, especially as it follows a series of similar occurrences in recent months. Just a month earlier, a marble nativity scene on the Carmel Hill was destroyed by hammer blows, a gesture against a religious symbol that shocked the local community.
Fire At Church in Vinovo
May 9, 2025, ItalyA group of minors set fire to a parish in Vinovo, causing damage to church premises. The act was identified as vandalism and led to police intervention.
Desecration of the church of Saint-Aygulf
May 5, 2025, FranceA church in Saint-Aygulf was desecrated after perpetrators broke in, removed the tabernacle, and stole consecrated hosts. The act targeted what Catholics consider the most sacred element of their faith.
Freshly Restored Church Entrance Defaced with Graffiti in Cádiz
May 5, 2025, SpainThe entrance of a church in Cádiz was vandalised with graffiti shortly after restoration, affecting part of the city’s religious heritage. The act targeted the façade of a place of worship and caused concern among the local community.
Two Churches Targeted with Anti-Religious Graffiti and Vandalism in Hanover and Alfeld
May 5, 2025, GermanyTwo Protestant churches in Hannover and Alfeld were vandalised with anti-religious graffiti and damage to church property. The incidents, featuring identical slogans, suggest a coordinated or related act targeting places of worship.
Religious Statues repeatedly stolen in Lot-et-Garonne
May 2, 2025, FranceIn Lot-et-Garonne, at least three statues of the Virgin Mary were stolen recently, the latest occurring on Friday 2 May beside a rural road on the plateau north of Condat in the commune of Fumel, prompting the town hall to issue an appeal for witnesses.
Multiple Threatening Calls to Churches in Kayseri and Other Cities
May 2, 2025, TurkeyOn May 1–2, 2026, Kayseri Church received numerous threatening calls, including 15 calls on May 2 alone. The same individual had threatened churches in multiple Turkish cities, claiming they would set buildings on fire with petrol and kill pastors.
Desecration of the chapel in the former dormitory
May 1, 2025, PolandSomeone broke into the interior of the chapel in historic dormitory in the old town of Mielec. Inside they destroyed and stole valuable liturgical objects and the monstrance. The altar cross was broken into pieces and left outside the chapel. A large amount of candle oil was spilled on the floor, which could point to an attempt at arson. The Curia of the Diocese of Tarnów, considering this scandalous event as an act of profanation, decided to close the chapel temporarily. All services were moved to another parish.
Altar Cross Destroyed in Chapel Desecration in Mielec
May 1, 2025, PolandA chapel in Mielec was desecrated, with an altar cross completely destroyed and liturgical items, including books, stolen.
two-metre-high wooden cross cut down
May 1, 2025, FranceIn Curancy, Burgundy, on the night of 30 April, a two-metre-high wooden Christian cross was deliberately cut down and stolen from the woods. The vandals used a saw to cut it down and made off with it. Shocked by the incident, the mayor filed a police report, describing the act as 'a direct attack on a symbol of faith'.
St Eloi Chapel in Hautmont Vandalised with Political Graffiti
May 1, 2025, FranceThe St Eloi Chapel in Hautmont’s Bois-du-Quesnoy district was vandalised over the weekend of May 1, with graffiti reading “FREE GAZA” sprayed on four walls of the façade.
Vandals leave trail of destruction in church
April 30, 2025, ItalyVandals broke into the historic church of Pia Opera Pastore in Alcamo, Sicily, causing extensive damage to sacred art, objects and furnishings. Paintings were defaced, religious objects destroyed and the church left in disarray - an attack condemned by local officials as a serious offence against the community and its cultural and religious heritage.
Flottes Church Bells Damaged in Sabotage Act
April 30, 2025, FranceIn Flottes, the bells of Saint-Blaise church were vandalised for the second time in recent weeks, causing them to ring out of tune and resulting in repair costs estimated at €6,000, according to the mayor.
Animal Carcasses Dumped Outside New Forest Churches
April 29, 2025, United KingdomA 47‑year‑old Southampton man pleaded guilty for leaving decapitated animal remains outside multiple Christian churches in a series of acts which have been classified religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress.
Church Volunteer Assaulted Amid Series of Break-Ins in Concesio
April 27, 2025, ItalyA church volunteer was assaulted during an attempted theft inside a church in Concesio, as part of a series of break-ins affecting multiple parish sites. The incidents involved forced entry, damage, and theft from donation boxes, raising concern within the local community.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Chapel in Catania
April 25, 2025, ItalyConsecrated hosts were stolen from a chapel in Catania, in an act regarded as desecration in Catholic belief. The incident prompted a call for reparation and prayer across the local archdiocese.