All cases
Terrorist arrested for planning attack on Cathedral
November 11, 2024, RussiaIn July 2024, security forces prevented a planned terrorist attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral, an Orthodox church in Maikop, Republic of Adygea. The suspect, an 18-year-old supporter of the Islamic State (IS), was arrested before he could carry out the attack. On 11 November, the Maikop City Court extended his pre-trial detention until 11 January 2025.
Statue of Mary destroyed
November 10, 2024, ItalyA statue of Mary outside the local cemetery in Pievesestina, Cesena, has been smashed to pieces.
Pepper spray attack during mass in Prato
November 10, 2024, ItalyUnknown people entered the church of Santa Maria al Soccorso during Sunday mass and sprayed a pungent substance with pepper spray. The parish priest had to interrupt the service and finish celebrating mass outside. The perpetrators have fled.
Priest dies after being physically attacked by robber
November 9, 2024, PolandA Catholic priest in Poland succumbed to serious injuries in the hospital on November 9 - six days after the physical attack in his parish of St. Albert by the 27-year-old man from Szczytno. The male suspect in this case is in custody, charged with attempted murder. The clergyman was attacked for the purpose of a robbery.
Monk Dies After Attack on a Monastery
November 9, 2024, SpainA 76-year-old friar died of a head injury and six others were injured when beaten with sticks and bottles by a 46-year-old man who jumped over the fence of the Catholic monastery in Gilet, shouting anti-Christian threats and insults. Three victims, aged 57, 66, and 95, were hospitalised with trauma and bruising.
Church forced to close after vandalism with fire extinguisher
November 9, 2024, FranceThe church of Saint-Léger has been closed since unknown persons emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building, causing serious damage to the furniture. Following this act, which took place on 9 November, the local mayor immediately expressed his desire to have the church cleaned as soon as possible so that the parishioners could celebrate Christmas in this sacred building.
Pilgrims in Navarre Faced Assault and Anti-Christian Insults
November 9, 2024, SpainLatin American pilgrims participating in the Javierada in Navarre faced verbal and physical aggression from nationalist youths, prompting calls for official protection and accountability.
Altar tablecloth set on fire in Schweinfurt church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn 8 November 2024, an unknown perpetrator deliberately set fire to a tablecloth inside a Protestant church in Schweinfurt-Oberndorf, Germany. The tablecloth and a diary placed on it were destroyed, but the fire did not spread to other parts of the church. Police opened an investigation, while the motive remained unknown.
Fires set in Küssaberg church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn 8 November, an unknown perpetrator has set several small fires in a church in Küssaberg (Waldshut district). Witnesses discovered the flames and alerted the emergency services.
Two other churches desecrated
November 8, 2024, FranceThe churches of Truyes and Lignières-de-Touraine were desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. Four other churches in the diocese of Tours suffered identical events in the same week.
Ban on funeral processions in Manduria
November 8, 2024, ItalyThe mayor of Manduria, Gregorio Pecoraro, has approved an ordinance banning walking funeral processions. A local councillor is challenging the ban, saying it restricts religious freedom.
Figure of Jesus broken into pieces: Cross in Tarnow Vandalised
November 7, 2024, PolandOn the night of November 7, vandals broke a statue of Christ on the missionary cross in front of the church in Tarnow-Klikowa, into small pieces. Also, the statue's head was stolen. The parish priest and the faithful are convinced that it was a deliberate act of desecration.
Nun physically attacked in church
November 4, 2024, ItalyA nun was brutally attacked near Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome on 4 November. The nun was violently punched and slapped in the face after trying to push away the attacker, who had approached the tabernacle in a suspicious manner.
Objects and prayer cards set on fire in church
November 4, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have set fire to and damaged objects and prayer cards in a church in Kaufbeuren.
Fire set to Mannheim Church
November 3, 2024, GermanyOn 3 November, an unknown person set fire to objects inside the Twelve Apostles Church in Mannheim, spreading to the carpet and a wooden table. The fire was extinguished before it spread further into the church building.
Tabernacle forced, hosts stolen
November 2, 2024, FranceOn the night of 2 November, the church of Saint Ame in Herlies was desecrated. The tabernacle was forced open and hosts were stolen. A mass of reparation was held.
Fire set at the church doors
November 1, 2024, ItalyOn the night of October 31, a fire damaged the entrance door of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Quartu.
Desecration of Consecrated Hosts in Boffalora sopra Ticino
November 1, 2024, ItalyAuthorities have opened an investigation after a group of young adults desecrated consecrated hosts in a Boffalora sopra Ticino church
Fire started inside Steinfeld church
November 1, 2024, GermanyPolice are looking for a perpetrator after a fire was started in the in St. Leodegar church in Steinfeld. A young man dressed in black had set a flag on fire. Fortunately, the fire did not spread. The damage is estimated around 200€.
"Disturbing vandalism: Joyrider rammed into church gate
November 1, 2024, IrelandA person driving a car rammed into the gate leading to St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ahane, causing extensive damage to the gate.
Third arson attack in a month
October 31, 2024, NetherlandsThe Multicultural Christian Church of Amsterdam Zuidoost was hit by an explosion, the third attack in a month. At around 1.50am, a person smashed a window of the church and threw powerful fireworks inside, causing an explosion that severely damaged the ceiling and other parts of the building.
Attempted arson in the church in Marseburg
October 31, 2024, GermanyPolice have arrested the suspect in an attempted arson attack on a church in Mersenburg. The man is believed to have set fire to plastic objects in the toilet area.
New UK Buffer Zone Bill restricts silent prayer near abortion clinics
October 31, 2024, United KingdomOn 31 October 2024, Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 (POA) came into force, introducing new restrictions on freedom of expression and religion within the so-called 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics in England and Wales.
Sacred objects stolen from church
October 30, 2024, ItalyTwo wooden and brass crucifixes, a brass incense holder and a diary in the sacristy of the Church of Maria Santissima del Pane in Novoli were stolen on the night of 30 October.
Vandalism and thefts at Vervie cemeteries
October 28, 2024, BelgiumAt the end of October, a grave in the cemetery in Verviers, in the province of Liège, was found to be severely damaged; the stele had been completely overturned. A few days later, crosses were stolen from the cemetery in Trois-Ponts, which is in the same area.
Vandalism at Basildon church
October 28, 2024, United KingdomAn incident of vandalism at St. Margarets Church in Bowers Gifford took place on October 28. The church sustained damage to various parts of the building including the roof, porch and stained-glass window.
Desecration and theft of hosts in Calvados
October 27, 2024, FranceOn October 27, the tabernacle of the Notre-Dame de Vire church in Calvados was broken into and the ciboires, as well as the consecrated hosts, stolen.
Prayer books set on fire on the altar
October 27, 2024, FranceOn 27 October, someone set fire to a dozen prayer books on the altar of the church of Chamalières-sur-Loire, causing a huge smoke cloud in the building.
Two Churches closed due to repeated vandalism
October 26, 2024, GermanyCatholic churches of St. Mauritius in Kippenheim and St. Leopold in Mahlberg (Baden-Württemberg) have been closed temporarily closed after multiple incidents of vandalism. The parish reports that the interiors of both churches were defiled with cigarette butts, soot, and wax from candles, some of which were partially burned and left behind.
Satanist tags on three churches
October 26, 2024, UkraineOn the night of 26 October, three churches in Ternopol, Ukraine, were covered with Satanist tags, most of which read "666".
Vandals burn church doors
October 25, 2024, SpainUnknown assailants have burned the outer door to the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, after painting a Star of David and the word "Jude" on the door.
Two churches attacked and desecrated in northern France
October 24, 2024, FranceOn the same day, two nearby churches in the Pas-de-Calais were robbed and vandalised. At the Saint-Saturnine church of Sains-lès-Marquion, the tabernacle was broken open, the chalice stolen and the consecrated hosts thrown to the ground. Both incidents are being investigated by the police.
Religious statues vandalised
October 23, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have damaged figures of St Bernadette and St Mary in front of the church in Venningen on October 23. A hand was cut off and the heads damaged. The figures are part of an implied Lourdes grotto next to the car park in front of the church.
Minor sets fire to three churches in Bavaria
October 22, 2024, GermanyOn Ocotber 21 and 22, a chapel and a church in Bavaria were set on fire. The police suspects arson as the cause of the fire. Nobody was injured, but the damage caused is extensive.
"Ave Satan" painted on Church
October 22, 2024, PolandOn the night of October 22-23, the inscription "Ave Satan" was painted on the historic wall of the Holy Trinity Church in Kwidzyn. A 44-year-old man, known to local police for other crimes, was detained. However, he did not admit guilt.
Nativity scene set on fire at the Baptist church in Lechlade
October 22, 2024, United KingdomBetween 10pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday 22 October, a shed at Lechlade Baptist Church in Sherbourne Street was set alight. The fire destroyed a Christmas display and caused damage to nearby benches and plants. Police are investigating.
Tabernacle damaged and sacristy ransacked in Hambach church
October 21, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators broke into St. James Catholic Church in Hambach, damaged the tabernacle and broke off the wooden panelling. They also ransacked the sacristy. Only one music box is missing, but extensive damage has been caused to the church.
Man went on the rampage in Helfe church
October 20, 2024, GermanyA previously unknown man went on the rampage in a church in Helfe on 20 October 2024 - knocked a vase off the table and thrown burning candles on the floor. Witnesses alerted the police.
Theft and desecration of consecrated hosts
October 20, 2024, FranceOn 20 October, someone broke into the church of Saint-Nicolas de Montigny and stole the chalice containing the consecrated host. Other consecrated hosts were scattered on the floor.
Theft of consecrated hosts
October 19, 2024, FranceOn the night of October 19, the church of Saint-Éloi Matigny in Somme was fractured and desecrated, the cup that contains the hosts has been stolen from the tabernacle.
Vandals draw swastika on church pew
October 17, 2024, GermanyOn 17 October, unknown persons knocked over candles and threw leaflets in the church of St Stephan in Kissing. A swastika was also drawn on a pew with candle wax.
BRITISH COURT CONDEMNS ARMY VETERAN FOR PRAYING IN HIS THOUGHTS
October 16, 2024, United KingdomAdam Smith-Connor has been found guilty of praying silently in an abortion 'buffer zone'. The controversial decision confirms serious restrictions on freedom of religion and even thought UK 'buffer zone' legislation.
Removal of Cross in Spain Sparks Debate
October 16, 2024, SpainIn October 2024, a memorial cross in Neda was removed under Spain’s 'Law of Democratic Memory', which mandates the elimination of symbols linked to Francoism. While the law requires the removal of plaques, some municipalities are dismantling entire crosses—despite a recent court ruling that such removals are unjustified when the crosses no longer bear political meaning.
France: 14 churches burned in 10 months
October 15, 2024, FranceBetween January and October 2024, the French Religious Heritage Observatory recorded 14 deliberate arson attacks on French churches. This figure is much higher than in 2023. In response to this situation, proposed legislation and surveillance systems are being considered.
Repeated vandalism and desecration in Lot churches
October 13, 2024, FranceIn the Lot region, three churches have been vandalised in recent weeks. The most recent incident occurred at the Saint-Pierre church in Bagnac-sur-Célé on 13 October, when it was seriously desecrated. The Blessed Sacrament was stolen. A statue inside the church was also deliberately overturned.
Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos
October 12, 2024, PolandOn 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.
250kg mountain cross disappeared
October 12, 2024, SpainThe cross in honour of the mountaineers who died on the summit of Udalatx since 1971 has disappeared and its base has been sawn off, with a small saw and a written message mocking the symbol left on the stump. The cross, which was located between the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, weighed 250 kilos and was ten metres high.
Christian street preacher injured by assailant and arrested by police
October 10, 2024, United KingdomChristian pastor Dia Moodley was arrested and detained for 13 hours by Avon and Somerset Police after preaching about Christianity and Islam outside Bristol University during Ramadan in March.
UPDATE: Ireland's "buffer zone" law comes into force
October 10, 2024, IrelandIn October 2024, Ireland implemented a "buffer zone" law that prohibits any conduct that could "influence" abortion decisions within 100 metres of clinics. The law also restricts speech on private property near public areas, raising concerns about restrictions on religious freedom.
Cemetery vandalised in Leon
October 7, 2024, SpainOn 7 October, tombs and statues in the cemetery at Soto and Amio in León were smashed to pieces with sledgehammers. Locals found decorations had been overturned and that the vandals had left behind a statue of Mary holding a decapitated child.