All cases
Swastika Graffiti Smeared at Church Wall
April 4, 2024, SpainA graffiti with the word "memory" and just below Nazi swastika in red were smeared at the wall of Church of Santa Maria in Marrón in the Cantabria region.
Armenian Church Demolished in Nagorno-Karabakh
April 4, 2024, OtherBetween December 28, 2023 and April 4, 2024, St. John the Baptist Church (S. Hovhannes Mkrtich) in Nagorno-Karabakh was destroyed, according to Caucasus Heritage Watch, referring to satellite pictures. The church was built in 1818 had been a landmark in Shusha/Shushi.
After Two Fires Church Temporarily Closed
April 3, 2024, FranceWithin 24 hours two fires hit the Saint-Serge Church in Angers. On April 2, the altar of the chapel of the Virgin Mary was set on fire. On the next day a fire broke out in front of the Saint-Ambroise statue. A suspect women was spotted and arrested by the police.
Church Smeared with Eggs, Glue and Dog Excrement
April 3, 2024, United KingdomRivertown Church in Shotton was subject to vandalism. Eggs were thrown at the rear door. Previously, glue and dog excrement were smeared on the same door. Furthermore, the church has seen damage to both locks and seats inside. In light of the church’s effort in running a community hub, the incident appears very distressing to volunteers and the church community.
Controversy about secular court ruling on dismissal of a nun under canonical procedure
April 3, 2024, FranceIn an unusual case, a secular civilian court has issued a ruling against the Vatican’s in-house canonical procedures in the case of the dismissal of a French nun from her order and has sparked discussions on religious autonomy. On April 3, the Lorient tribunal ruled in favour of a nun who turned to the French court after being removed from a monastery in Brittany. The Vatican replied in a written statement that such a ruling on "internal discipline and membership in a religious institute" would be a "serious violation of the fundamental rights to religious freedom and freedom of association of Catholic faithful."
Church of Villamarina vandalised
April 2, 2024, ItalyOn April 2, The church of Villamarina in Cesenatico has been targeted by vandals. The incident was captured by surveillance cameras. This is not the first time the parish has been targeted: There have been incidents of vandalism and thefts in the past.
Church starts dialogue project after severe vandalism
April 2, 2024, ItalyOn April 2, the parish priest of the St. Anthony's Oratory in Porto Mantovano, Trento, found the oratory severely vandalised. Next to smashed locks, broken doors and glass, damaged objects and furniture, there was dirt, a swastika and offensive writings on the floor. The incident, was only the latest in a series of vandalism attacks on the oratory. The priest therefore reached out to the community for help.
Scottish 'Hate Speech' Bill Could Limit Freedom of Religion
April 1, 2024, United KingdomThe Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on April 1, 2024. The Act could criminalise expressions of religious convictions, religious and human rights groups fear.
Desecration of Jaén Church
April 1, 2024, SpainResidents of the small village of El Centenillo are shocked by the desecration of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in April. Recordings of a couple having sex at the altar have been circulated through various WhatsApp groups. The diocese has condemned these events and is demanding several reparations to replace the damage to this sacred place.
The Valley of the Fallen Under Threat: Expulsion of Monks and Attack on Religious Heritage
April 1, 2024, SpainThe Valley of the Fallen, a Catholic monument of reconciliation built after the Spanish Civil War, is facing increasing political pressure from the Spanish government. Plans to evict the Benedictine monks, change the religious identity of the site and even remove the monumental cross raise serious concerns about religious freedom and historical revisionism.
Teacher Faces dismissal for Questioning 'Gender Transition' Advice to 8-year-old kid
March 31, 2024, United KingdomA Christian primary school teacher who questioned Stonewall and Mermaids' recommendations to support a "gender transition" of an 8-year-old student without providing any supporting medical data has lost her job and is the subject of numerous regulatory body inquiries. She has filed a complaint with the Employment Tribunal accusing the school of victimising her for making a complaint, unfair dismissal, and discrimination based on her religion.
Liturgical clothings and procession flags stolen from church
March 31, 2024, GermanyOn March 31, a stole, procession flags and clothing were stolen from the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary in Scheinfeld, Germany. The perpetrator was apparently hiding in the confessional during mass before stealing the objects. The man also damaged the confessional, which caused damage of approximately 200 euros.
Man Insults Congregation and Attacks Liturgical Servant During Mass
March 30, 2024, PolandA 38-year-old disrupted the Holy Saturday celebrations at the All Saints parish in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. Entering the altar area, he loudly shouted vulgar words from the pulpit. When being asked to leave the altar stage, he attacked one of the liturgical servants as well as a police officer during arrest.
Thwarted Terrorist Attack on Notre Dame de Paris
March 30, 2024, FranceAn Egyptian man with links to ISIS has been arrested over a suspected terrorist attack on the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, as became known in the media on March 30. The man was arrested on March 5 by officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI). Thanks to the work of the domestic intelligence services, the terrorist was identified, arrested for "criminal terrorist association" and placed in pre-trial detention.
"Never again!" Banner Stolen from Church Fence
March 30, 2024, GermanyIn the night from Good Friday to Holy Saturday, unknown perpetrators removed a banner from the fence of St Sebastian's parish and stole it. The campaign slogan: "Never again! - Strong together for democracy and against right-wing extremism!" Investigations are ongoing.
Theft and Vandalism in two Portuguese Churches
March 29, 2024, PortugalIn the night of Good Friday, two churches in the Portuguese towns Golegã and Pombalinho were subjects to theft and vandalism.
Good Friday: Altar of Neuhaus church damaged with fire
March 29, 2024, GermanyAn unknown person damaged the altar in the Catholic Church in Neuhaus an der Pegnitz, Germany, on Good Friday, March 29. According to the police, the perpetrator apparently "held a candle to the altar in such a way that the wood and the altar cloth were damaged". Fortunately, the fire did not spread.
Threats for christians on easter persist
March 28, 2024, FranceFrance is placing police officers in front of Christian churches during Easter. In response to the recent attack in Moscow, the French police have issued a warning of an elevated risk of terrorism. As a precautionary measure, police officers will be stationed outside every Christian church during the Easter period.
Man vandalises painting and physically assaults staff inside church
March 28, 2024, ItalyOn March 28 a man entered the church of San Ignazio in Capri and vandalised the painting San Longino with a spray can and a knife. Following a brief altercation with Andrea Saltini and other visiting staff, the vandal physically assaulted the Capri artist. Saltini sustained a superficial wound to the neck, fortunately not inflicted by the knife.
Vandalism at St John's Church Alresford
March 28, 2024, United KingdomIn the night before Maundy Thursday, Easter crosses and the noticeboard of Baptist St John's Church in Alresford were vandalised.
Public cross in Lias broken into pieces
March 26, 2024, FranceIn the morning of March 26, the historic public cross in the village Lias, France, was unseated from its pedestal and broken into 4 pieces.
Theft of bell from Chapel in Tulnik
March 23, 2024, CroatiaA thief stole a bell from the chapel, which belongs to Buk parish near Pleternica. The bell was taken from the cemetery chapel in Tulnik before March 23, according to the police of Požega-Slavonska.
Desecration at hospital chapel in Pozzuoli
March 22, 2024, ItalyThe 'Santa Maria delle Grazie' in Pozzuoli was the site of a defecation, as reported by Don Giorgio Della Volpe, the parish priest of the hospital chapel. According to him, an individual used the altar cloth to clean himself after defecating in the chapel. The images showed a man defecating on the ground floor of the Phlegrei hospital, between the benches of the sacred place.
ISIS boasts of "killing Christians" in Moscow attack
March 22, 2024, RussiaOn 22 March, a terrorist attack targeting an event location close to Moscow resulted in the deaths of at least 137 people. Gunmen armed with automatic weapons opened fire during a crowded concert at Crocus City Hall. ISIS statements claiming responsibility for the attack boasted of “killing Christians”.
Suspected arson at church of of St Julia
March 21, 2024, FranceOn the morning of Thursday, 21 March 2024, a fire broke out in the church of Saint-Agathe and Saint-Julien in the village of Saint-Julia. The canvas burned and when the mayor, Christian Lagente, entered the church at around 10 am, everything was engulfed in smoke. The mayor made the first attempts to extinguish the fire before help arrived.
Threats During Mass in Castellammare di Stabia
March 21, 2024, ItalyOn Thursday 21 March, the mass in the church of San Marco in Castellammare di Stabia was violently interrupted. A person entered the church and disrupted the religious rite in progress. Witnesses reported that the man pointed his finger at the worshippers, made threatening gun-like gestures and pretended to shoot at them. The worshippers present reacted firmly and stood up to the intruder despite his intimidating behaviour. The man then shouted and left the church, aggressively slamming the doors behind him.
Bust of Christ Vandalised at Rennes Church
March 20, 2024, FranceA bust of Christ was vandalised and the church door damaged in Church of Saint-Germain in Rennes. The vandalism was discovered by the parish priest, Father Philippe Hebert, on March 20. The priest lodged a complaint the next day, investigations are ongoing.
Crosses broken off model churches
March 20, 2024, CroatiaOn 20 March, all the crosses of the bronze model of the city of Zagreb were broken off from the small model churches. The bronze model is located near the Zagreb Cathedral.
Desecration of church in Reggino
March 19, 2024, ItalyThe church of San Giuseppe, in Melito Porto Salvo, in Reggino, was desecrated by unknown individuals. The perpetrators damaged the security cameras, forced entry into the church, stole the consecrated host and scatter the others. Furthermore, a sacred vessel was also taken.
Arson in St Benedict Church prevented by employee
March 19, 2024, GermanyAn unknown person set fire to a seat cushion and a shrub that were placed in the front area of the church in Eisenharz for the upcoming First Communion. The fire was extinguished by an employee, but the pew and shrub were damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Vandalism in three churches
March 19, 2024, PolandOn March 19, the church Jana Pawła Street, Konstantynów, was vandalised. The perpetrator kicked a cross, damaged three windows and knocked over tables, pews, and kneelers. The cost of the damage amounts to PLN 5,000.
Organ Damaged in Waltrop Church
March 19, 2024, GermanyOn Tuesday, March 19, a fire extinguisher was emptied into the pipes of the organ in St Peter's Church.
Vandalism at cemetery of protestant cemetery in Schermbeck
March 18, 2024, GermanyBetween Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18, the cemetery of the Protestant parish was vandalised. Silke Knoll from the parish is shocked. She reported that toilets were damaged and flower pots on graves were looted and broken. In addition, toilet paper was scattered across the meadow and gravesites. Water cranes at the watering points were also left on, causing water to run onto the pavements.
Christian artist banned from her own exhibition after expressing concerns about puberty blockers
March 18, 2024, United KingdomVictoria Culf, a Christian artist, was reported to police and banned from her own exhibition after telling a Watford council worker, back in June 2023, that due to her Christian world view and as a mother she didn’t think children should transition. She is now taking legal action.
Vandal destroys window at Lutheran Church
March 18, 2024, GermanyOn the morning of Monday, March 18, the Lutheran City Church on Kirchstraße was shaken by an incident. An unknown person threw a stone through a window of the church, causing damage of around 1000 euros. The church organ was playing at the time. No one was injured.
Unknown persons vandalise church in Oberveischede
March 18, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators have vandalised St Lucia's Church in the Oberveischede district of Olpe. Candles, prayer books and brochures from the wooden display are strewn across the floor. Even worse was the damage to the holy water font. The massive stone vessel was smashed. The culprit or culprits also stole 60 tea lights. The police are investigating.
Vandalism of a cross at a place of worship in Gornja Brijesnica
March 17, 2024, Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe prayer cross in the village of Gornja Brijesnica, which belongs to Lukavac in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been damaged for the second time in the last three years.
Ten statues and plaques in cemetery of Bovekerke vandalised
March 16, 2024, BelgiumOn March 16, the cemetery surrounding the church of Bovekerke (Koekelare) was vandalised. Approximately a dozen statues, ornaments, flowers, and memorial plaques had been destroyed. The affected graves are not all close together and often involve very old concessions. According to another resident, some crosses have also been removed from the graves.
"This is a Muslim area" smeared on Evangelical Church
March 16, 2024, United KingdomA radical muslim graffiti was spray-painted on the windows of Southchurch Christian Fellowship Centre on Saturday night, March 16. The graffiti, which read "This is a Muslim area", is now being investigated by Essex Police as racially aggravated criminal damage. Ms Champion, who discovered the vandalism, said: "To see someone committing such hateful behaviour is so heartbreaking. It makes me very angry. A colleague and I went to the church to remove the worst of it because we didn't want people to feel intimidated when they came to the Sunday service the next morning."
Woman attacked by burglar during mass
March 16, 2024, FranceA woman was attacked by a burglar when entering Saint-Étienne Cathedral for mass on March 16.
Vicar Offers Aid After Church Theft
March 15, 2024, United KingdomWhile the choir was practising in the early evening of March 15, various donated items worth £1,000 were stolen from the St Matthew’s Church in Burnley. However, the vicar Father Alex Frost, reaches out to people in need offering help in response to the theft.
Excrements found in St Michael the Church in Marktrodach
March 15, 2024, GermanyThe pastor of the Protestant church in Marktrodach discovered human excrement behind the altar in the afternoon of March 15. The perpetrator is unknown, but it appears to be a repeat occurrence. The police reported that this was not the first instance of such an act in the church.
St John's Church in Herford remains closed due to vandalism
March 15, 2024, GermanyFor the past few months, incidents of vandalism and damages have occurred in the Neuer Markt church in the Herford district. The pews have repeatedly been pushed and knocked over, a curtain has been torn down, a large sign reading 'open church', which is usually located at the back of the church, has been removed and placed on the altar and leaflets removed from their displays and scattered around the room. Furthermore, there have been complaints in the past about unknown individuals leaving their excrement in the church. Although the number of incidents has decreased, faeces are unfortunately still occasionally discovered in the church.
South Korean pastor arrested for missionary work in Russia
March 15, 2024, RussiaBaek Kwang-Soon, a South Korean pastor was detained in Russia on espionage charges after being found to have been working with North Korean fugitives in Vladivostok. According to Lee Seong Gu, head of the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation, Baek had been doing missionary work and providing clothes, food, and the Gospel to Russian, Thai, and North Korean workers in need. Baek was arrested earlier this year by Russian law enforcement authorities, as reported by Russian state news agency Tass on Monday, March 11.
Statue of Mary damaged by gunshot
March 14, 2024, PolandOn 14 March, an unknown person fired a gun at the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Chapel of the Mother of God in the village of Trojanów. Following the attack, the parish organised a Stations of the Cross in reparation for this "heartbreaking act". The police are investigating.
A Statue of the Virgin Mary was Riddled with Bullets
March 14, 2024, FranceA statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the Notre-Dame-des-Mines chapel in Alès was found riddled with bullets alongside other damage like graffiti and stones thrown at the roof, prompting an investigation and a public fundraising campaign.
Gravestones and a statue of Mary defaced with spray paint
March 12, 2024, PolandIn March 2025, a series of vandalism incidents targeting Christian sites were reported in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland. According to local police spokesperson Marcin Krasucki, the first report came on 12 March from Piotrków Kujawski, where unknown perpetrators spray-painted and damaged nine gravestones in the town’s cemetery. Shortly after, a roadside statue of the Virgin Mary in the village of Jurków was defaced with spray paint and the surrounding fence was damaged. A third report came from the cemetery in Połajewo, where 11 gravestones were similarly vandalised with paint.
Vandalism of shrine: Statue of Mary smashed
March 12, 2024, PolandOn 12 March 2023, local media reported an act of vandalism against the chapel located in the office building of the Zamrzenica Forest District. An unknown perpetrator vandalised the shrine, destroying flower pots, flowers and candles, and smashing the statue of Mary.
Church and 50 graves desecrated with Islamist slogans
March 11, 2024, FranceDuring the night of March 11, acts of vandalism were committed in the cemetery of the village Clermont-d'Excideuil. Inscriptions with Islamic references were found on graves, the war memorial, the church door, a calvary memorial, and a fountain. Some of the tags read "France is already Allah's", "Isa will break the cross" and "Submit to Islam". Altogether, more than 50 graves were smeared.
Arson at Catholic Church in Schriesheim
March 11, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators set fire to the altar and other items in the Catholic church in Schriesheim. A woman entering the church noticed the smoke and immediately alerted the fire brigade. Commander Oliver Scherer described the church as completely smoky inside, with a visible glow in the altar area. Police are investigating arson.