All cases
Second attack on Rennes Basilica within days
January 13, 2025, FranceFollowing the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary a few days ago, unknown perpetrators have again vandalised the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. This time, a statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated. The city of Rennes is facing a serious wave of hate crimes against Christians.
Nativity scene destroyed in Persico Dosimo
January 12, 2025, ItalyOn the night of 11 January, unknown perpetrators seriously damaged a nativity scene in the churchyard of the Dosimo parish church. Several figures were smashed to pieces, a gesture that caused great indignation among the local population.
Church vandalised and statue destroyed in Rennes Basilica
January 12, 2025, FranceUnknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.
Christ Figure Repeatedly Destroyed At Memorial Chapel in Peißenberg
January 10, 2025, GermanyThe Christ figure on a field cross near the miners’ memorial chapel on the Neue Bergehalde in Peißenberg was deliberately damaged twice, with both arms broken off. The repeated targeting of the depiction of Christ has raised concern among local community members.
Sacred Objects Targeted in Catholic Church in Schleiden-Gemünd
January 10, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators robbed and vandalised a Catholic church in Schleiden-Gemünd, deliberately targeting religious objects, including a gilded cross and a baptismal font. Water was removed from the font and poured onto the floor.
Repeated vandalism of Salò nativity scene
January 9, 2025, ItalyUnknown persons have vandalised the nativity scene set up by the fire brigade for the local community. The vandals not only damaged the nativity scene, but also urinated on the scene and set off a firecracker in the middle of the hay.
Two arson attacks on Valledoria church in 4 days
January 8, 2025, ItalyThe Church of Christ the King in Valledoria has been attacked twice in a very short period of time. The first arson attack took place during the celebration of mass on 5 January, and the second only a few days later, on 8 January.
Unknown perpetrators vandalise religious figures
January 7, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of 7 January, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Francis Hochdahl in Erkhart. A leg of a religious figure, one of the Three Magi, disappeared and the burglars knocked over several other figures. Police are now investigating and looking for suspects.
Priest receives letter threatening parishioners
January 6, 2025, ItalyIn early January, the priest of the San Giovanni Battista parish in Siniscola received a letter containing threats against two of his parishioners. The case is now being investigated by the police.
Debate over refusal of communion and religious autonomy rights
January 6, 2025, SpainRubén García de Andrés, mayor of Torrecaballeros, was denied communion by a local priest because of his homosexuality, which he denounced as homophobic. His political party is demanding an apology and threatening legal action. The Diocese of Segovia defended the priest, citing Canon 915, which allows for the denial of communion on moral grounds, and denied any accusations of homophobia. The case raised concerns about the involvement of secular groups in church affairs, which is seen as a potential threat to religious freedom.
Statue of the Virgin Mary destroyed in streets of Chociwel
January 6, 2025, PolandOn the night of January 5 to 6, a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed at the intersection of a public street in Chociwel, Poland. The vandalism was reported to the police and the parish announced that a new statue would be erected.
Relics stolen from church
January 5, 2025, GermanyAs reported on 1 January, unknown perpetrators stole religious relics and a nativity figure from a church in Brendlorenzen, Germany. The incident caused shock among parishioners and local clergy.
Church targeted in sacrilegious theft
January 5, 2025, ItalyUnknown perpetrators have broken into the tabernacle and stolen the vessel containing the consecrated hosts from the Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Trento.
Fire set to nativity scene in Ingolstadt
January 5, 2025, GermanyA nativity scene was burned and vandalised in the Catholic church of St Pius in Ingolstadt. The parish priest reported that "the stable was thrown over down and one figure was completely burnt".
Grave Crosses and Christ Figures Targeted in Repeated Cemetery Vandalism in Appenzell
January 5, 2025, SwitzerlandGrave crosses and depictions of Christ were again deliberately damaged at a cemetery in Appenzell, marking a repeated pattern of vandalism targeting Christian symbols. The incidents have raised concern due to the specific destruction of crosses and religious figures.
Theft and Vandalism of Nativity Scene at Mother Church in Augusta
January 5, 2025, ItalyA case of theft and vandalism was reported inside the Mother Church in Augusta, involving damage to a traditional nativity scene.
Desecration and Theft at Church in Sola
January 4, 2025, ItalyUnknown perpetrators broke into the Church of San Lorenzo Martire in Sola, stealing the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts and later scattering them outside the church. As the hosts are of central religious significance in Catholic belief, the act constitutes desecration and has caused particular distress within the local parish community.
Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia
January 4, 2025, ItalyOn 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."
San Filippo Neri Church Repeatedly Attacked with Gunfire and Explosives
January 3, 2025, ItalyIn Palermo’s Zen district the parish church of San Filippo Neri was repeatedly targeted in a series of violent attacks at the end of December and in the early days of January, with explosions and gunfire directed at the building’s entrances and interior.
Suspected arson attack at church in Skórzewo near Poznań
January 2, 2025, PolandOn 2 January 2025, a fire broke out in a church in Skórzewo near Poznań, Poland, with the parish indicating that it may have been caused by arson. A witness reported seeing a person where the fire started, but the suspect escaped.
Nativity Scene Repeatedly Attacked: Infant Jesus Decapitated
January 2, 2025, ItalyAs reported in January 2025, a nativity scene in Empoli was vandalised for the fourth time in recent years. Unknown perpetrators decapitated a statue of the infant Jesus, prompting strong reactions from the local community.
Nativity scene in front of Roncoferraro church vandalised
December 31, 2024, ItalyOn the night of New Year's Eve, unknown people destroyed the nativity scene on the square of the Roncoferraro church. The vandals tore to pieces almost all of the particular figures depicting the nativity and scattered the fragments in the surrounding garden. This is not the first time that similar episodes have occurred.
Police prevents terrorist attack on Elche Basilica
December 31, 2024, SpainSpanish police have foiled a terrorist attack just before Christmas. Four suspects aged between 14 and 17 were arrested on 19 December during a raid in the city of Elche. The group is accused of planning an Islamist terrorist attack on a Christian church.
Sanctuary vandalised with fireworks in Ribordone
December 31, 2024, ItalyOn New Year's Eve, unknown vandals caused extensive damage to the exterior walls of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto in Ribordone. Locals are calling for more security measures as this isolated church is frequently vandalised.
Church closed due to vandalism
December 30, 2024, GermanyThe town church in Lauterbach is closed to visitors due to vandalism. Two unidentified youths smashed two stained glass windows with lead frames. Several items have been stolen in recent incidents, including a Bible and an Easter candle.
Figures stolen and replace with caricatures
December 30, 2024, PolandIn the Strzelce district, an unknown person has stolen statues of saints from two roadside shrines and replaced them with strange caricatures. Police are investigating.
Two nativity scenes vandalised in Ostiano
December 30, 2024, ItalyDuring the night of 30 to 31 December, someone destroyed two nativity scenes in the town centre of Ostiano and in the churchyard. The statues of the infant Jesus, the sheep and Mary were overturned and the statue of Saint Joseph was destroyed.
Three suspects arrested after shooting at Istanbul church association
December 30, 2024, TurkeyThree suspects have been arrested following a shooting at the Association of Salvation Churches in Istanbul. On 30 December, three gunmen arriving in a commercial vehicle opened fire at the association's building in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Image of Infant Jesus destroyed in Valencia
December 30, 2024, SpainThe Nativity Scene of Cullera, in the Valencian Community, has been vandalised with the destruction of an image of the Infant Jesus.
Arson on previously attacked church in Regnano
December 29, 2024, ItalyOn 29 December, the back wall of the parish house in Regnano was set on fire. Only two weeks earlier, the door to the bell tower of the church had also been vandalised and destroyed.
Religious image attacked
December 28, 2024, SpainSomeone smashed the protective glass of the Cristo del Puente image in Ceuta with a rock in a niche in the church on 28 December, and the image had to be moved to another parish.
Statue of Infant Jesus stolen from the nativity scene
December 28, 2024, ItalyA figure of the Infant Jesus from the nativity scene on the steps of the church in Levico Terme has been stolen during the night during the night.
Man riots in church
December 28, 2024, GermanyIn Cologne-Ehrenfeld, a man caused extensive damage to St Joseph's Church, destroying nativity figures and throwing burning candles around the church.
Vandalism and fireworks set off in church
December 28, 2024, GermanyA church in Lilienthal, Germany, was vandalised on 28 December. The offenders entered the unlocked church building and set off fireworks, among other things. They also damaged several organ pipes.
Nativity scene in Roque-Gageac set on fire
December 28, 2024, FranceA nativity scene set up by the local council in the village of Dordogne burnt down on the night of Friday 27 to Saturday 28 December. Although investigations are still underway, the mayor strongly suspects that the fire was deliberately set.
Threats Shouted at Pro-Life Demonstrators
December 28, 2024, SpainA group of Christian pro-life demonstrators were threatened and insulted by a group of feminists who approached them in the street. They shouted slogans such as "We must burn the Episcopal Conference for being sexist and patriarchal".
Youths destroy vandalise church and destroy Christmas tree
December 27, 2024, United KingdomChristmas trees, flower arrangements and a tree to help people remember their loved ones were smashed by a group of teenage girls at St Andrew the Apostle Church in Holt, Norfolk, on 27 December. The church has to be closed except for services.
Cross in Gdańsk set on fire
December 27, 2024, PolandGdańsk police have arrested a 45-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a wooden cross. As a result of the incident, the painting of Mary hanging on the cross was burnt and the perpetrator also broke the fence surrounding the cross. The total damage was estimated at 10,000 zloty.
A Mural Depicting the Crucified Christ was Spray-Painted with a Swastika
December 27, 2024, SpainIn late December 2024, the Cristo del Amor image in Vélez-Málaga was vandalised with a swastika and obscured face, sparking outrage over the desecration of a beloved devotional site.
Theft of tabernacle
December 26, 2024, GermanyOn 26 December, the tabernacle was stolen from the church of St Joseph parish in Kollnau. The perpetrators, who are still unknown, stole the locked tabernacle from the choir of the church.
Tbilisi church pelted with eggs
December 26, 2024, OtherUnknown people threw eggs at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the second oldest in the country. The western facade and the door of the Anchiskhati Cathedral, were smeared with broken eggs.
Nativity Scene Vandalized in Canals
December 26, 2024, SpainFigures from the municipal nativity scene in Canals, Valencia, were found toppled and broken in Plaza del Puente del Río, adding to a troubling pattern of attacks on Christian symbols.
Man enters church on Christmas Day shouting “Allah Akbar”
December 25, 2024, FranceOn Wednesday 25 December, just before 5pm, a man entered the church of Saint-Louis in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) shouting "Allah Akbar".
15-year-old allegedly planned attack on church
December 25, 2024, GermanyPolice in Brandenburg took a 15-year-old from Zossen into custody on Christmas Day. Security services believe he was planning an attack on a church in Berlin over the Christmas period. The young man was released from police custody due to a lack of evidence.
Repeated vandalism: Marian statue desecrated in Mrągowo
December 25, 2024, PolandThe desecration of the parish of St Raphael Kalinowski in Mrągowo took place on the night of 25-26 December. An unknown perpetrator entered the church premises and destroyed the statue of Mary in the church chapel. The situation was recorded by the parish camera.
Church soiled with urine and cigarette butts on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 24 December, in the small church of San Rocco in Malpaga di Orzinuovi, near Brescia, the floor and chairs were covered in cigarette butts and urine. Nothing was stolen.
Church wall damaged by explosives
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn Christmas Eve, 24 December, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown persons set off fireworks on the side of the sacred building, causing considerable damage. The explosion tore off part of the frame, and debris was found scattered on the ground.
Sacrilegious theft and desecration
December 22, 2024, ItalyOn December 22 thieves broke into the tabernacle of the church of Miglierina in Viareggio using a drill and a crowbar and stole the consecrated hosts, leaving the pyxes inside. Several liturgical objects and some personal belongings were also stolen. The parish priest does not exclude a Satanic motive.
Church in Waltrop repeatedly hit by vandalism
December 21, 2024, GermanySt Peter's Church in Waltrop has been plagued by vandalism: There have been repeated cases of damage, people urinating in the church, leaving faeces or breaking beer bottles. Not only are the church doors currently closed outside of service times, but the nativity scene has also been moved.
Theft of nativity scene figures
December 20, 2024, United KingdomOn 20 December, it was reported that all the figures - Mary, Joseph, animals and the Infant Jesus - were missing from the nativity scene next to the church in Tunbridge, Wales.