All cases
Anti-Christian Tags Painted on Cardinal Saliège's Statue in Toulouse
March 19, 2023, FranceOn March 19, unknown vandals wrote the anarchist motto "Ni Dieu ni maître" (No God nor master) on the pedestal of Cardinal Saliège's statue in Toulouse. The Cardinal served as archbishop of the city during World War 2 and used all his power to rescue Jews from persecution and later received the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The current archbishop, Guy de Kerimel strongly condemned this degradation which "hurts both Christians and Jews". The degradation occurred precisely eleven years after Mohammed Merah's mass shooting at a Jewish school.
Valuable Silver Sacred Objects stolen from a Rural Church
March 19, 2023, United KingdomOn the night of March 19th, burglars stole valuable silver items in a church from a rural parish in East Devon in Sidmouth. The police are looking for witnesses. On Twitter, pictures show that the objects were chalices, host holders and other tools for the celebration of Mass.
Municipality prevents commemoration prayer in cemetery
March 18, 2023, SpainThe City Council of Moncada, near Barcelona, has prevented a religious act in memory of the "Carlists of Valls" from being celebrated in the cemetery. The congregation had to hold the memorial act outside of the cemetery wall, thus breaking a mass tradition that has been celebrated for almost a century.
Church desecrated and burgled
March 18, 2023, SpainDuring Saturday night, March 18, three churches in the Navarre region were burgled: the parishes of Santacara, Mélida and Murillo el Fruto. In the church of Murillo el Fruto, thieves committed a desecration by opening the tabernacle and throwing away some consecrated hosts.
Repeated Break-in at a Catholic Community House in St. Ilgen
March 17, 2023, GermanyOn March 17, for the second time in the same week, unknown intruders broke into the community house of St. Aegidius. They robbed nothing but perpetrated significant damages. Police officers are looking for witnesses.
Man disturbs Mass and is suspected to have stolen a Crucifix in a Parisian Church
March 17, 2023, FranceOn March 17, a man loudly disturbed the Mass at the Saint-Hippolyte Church in Paris. He is also suspected to have stolen a Crucifix from a Parisian Church the day before. The crucifix, which was probably taken down during the theft, was found "broken into several pieces" on a nearby street corner, according to the police. The man is already flagged with a "fiche S", which means, the French State regards him as a danger to public safety. He has also been classified as a potential Islamist. He has also been sent to a psychiatric investigation.
Vandalization of Objects representing John-Paul II in a Polish Church
March 14, 2023, PolandOn the 14th of March, perpetrators vandalized the Sacred Heart church in Sieradz during the night, targeting stained glass portraits and posters of Pope John-Paul II. The stained glass and a glass door were broken too. The authorities were able to identify and arrest two perpetrators, which were two men in their 20s.
GOOD NEWS: England & Wales Police must defend freedom of expression even if controversial
March 13, 2023, United KingdomA new code of practice on Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI) introduced to UK Parliament in March clarifyies that simply causing offence is not enough to justify the police including someone's personal information in an NCHI. This comes in opposition to previous NCHI measures that unlawfully interfered with free speech. For example when the Police logged the personal details of a person in a NCHI record after receiving a complaint about a ‘transphobic’ tweet. This user, Harry Miller, appealed and won the case.
Catholic hospital Chaplain wins Lawsuit After Being Fired for His Religious Statements
March 13, 2023, United KingdomIn March 2023, Rev. Patrick Pullicino won a legal case, after being dismissed as Chaplain for expressing the traditional teachings of the Church about marriage. This case started in 2019, as Rev. Patrick Pullicino was dismissed as chaplain by the NHS Trust, after answering a question about the Church's teachings on traditional marriage, which was posed by a patient. The patient that pose the question then sent a complaint letter about Rev. Pullicino. Vanessa Ford, the acting chief executive of the South West London and Saint George's Mental Health NHS Trust, answered to the letter by stating that the trust's policy on equality and diversity "takes precedence over religious belief." Rev. Dr Patrick Pullicino, a Catholic chaplain and former professor of neurosciences sued the NHS Trust.
Teenagers disrupt of church service
March 13, 2023, PolandOn March 13, 2023, two teenagers disrupted the celebration of a Catholic mass in one of Kielce's churches and posted the recording on the internet. A video posted on TikTok shows the two teenagers betting that one of them would enter the church during Mass and interrupt the service by playing an extremely vulgar song from his mobile phone.
Viennese Catholic Church vandalized with Graffiti
March 12, 2023, AustriaOn the 12th of March, a person noticed that the side of the church at the Karmelitenplatz in Vienna's second district (Karmelitenchurch) had been vandalised with graffiti in black paint that says "No God" (Kein Gott). It is not sure when the graffiti was made or if it was filed with the police. The vandals also remain unknown.
Bordeaux Church Vandalized and tagged with Anti-Christian comments
March 12, 2023, FranceThe Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordeaux has recently been vandalized and defaced with offensive graffiti, causing shock among the local community. According to reports from French news outlets, the perpetrators attempted to set fire to the church's door and left hateful messages on the walls, including phrases such as "Thank you Satan" and "devil take me with you". Witnesses have stated that the offenders may have been a group of intoxicated individuals who were present before firefighters arrived at the scene.
Young People Riot Inside Church and Insult worshipers During Mass
March 12, 2023, GermanyOn the evening of March 12, a group of young individuals caused a disturbance at a church in Munich. They rioted and used offensive language directed against the attendants of the mass. It was reported that the parishioners inside the church also heard a loud noise, and then they noticed the window pane had been broken. The priests and churchgoers were targeted with derogatory comments. The group of young people then left. The police were notified, they had not yet identified the perpetrators and are estimating the costs of the damage to property.
Basilica of La Mercé in Barcelona Tagged with offensive words
March 10, 2023, SpainThe Basilica of La Mercé located in Barcelona was vandalized once again. A spokesperson told the news that this had happened before. An unknown suspect has sprayed offensive remarks against the church and God. The newspaper el Debate also reported that they contacted the city council to help wash the words from the affected walls and are hoping to get an answer, since they got ignored the last time something similar happened.
Britain’s largest Scout girls’ organisation told to stop singing to God in new ‘inclusive’ campfire songs
March 10, 2023, United KingdomAs reported by The Telegraph and the Christian Institute, Girlguiding, the UK's national guiding organisation for girls, has come under pressure and criticism after it published a blog post in which the organization argued that in order to make some of its traditional songs "inclusive for everyone," they need be changed to remove "references that have been hurtful to people." Using as an example a song in which references to God were removed.
Man disrupts mass, insults priest and vandalises several churches
March 10, 2023, FranceOn 10 March, the Paris Prefecture of Police announced that the man suspected of vandalising several Paris churches had been arrested. According to reports, he disrupted a mass in the church of Saint-Vincent, insulting the priest and sacristan, then threw a statue on the ground in the church of Saint-Nicolas des Champs, before being apprehended near the church of Saint-François Xavier, where he also spat.
Man Vandalizes statue and items in the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Church
March 9, 2023, FranceLimited details are available regarding a recent incident where an individual allegedly vandalized the Notre Dame-de-Lorette Catholic Church in Paris. According to reports from March 9, the perpetrator caused damage to a statue, chairs, and other items within the church and may have targeted other churches as well. An investigation into the matter is currently underway, and additional information is expected to emerge in due course.
Altars and confessional curtains set on fire in church
March 9, 2023, FranceIn the late afternoon of Thursday 9 March, deliberately set fires were discovered in the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church in Eguisheim, Haut Rhin, France. A volunteer noticed the fires on the tablecloths of two altars near the choir and on a confessional curtain. A book of intentions was also burned.
A Spanish Senator Sued for Publicly Mocking and Discriminating Against Catholics
March 8, 2023, SpainAccording to ifamnews, the Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation has started legal proceedings against Senator Carles Mulet for engaging in acts of harassment against Christians and the affiliated organizations that publicly express their religious beliefs. The lawsuit also claims that Mulet has advocated for the removal of crosses by city councils, particularly in the Valley of the Fallen.
Bells Worth £8,000 Stolen from Wragby Church
March 8, 2023, United KingdomUnkown offenders entered All Saints Church in Wragby and stole eight brass handheld bells, worth around £8,000 in total. The theft occurred between March 1 and March 8. The police are investigating the situation.
Vandals Desecrate and Vandalize church and Leave Satanic books on the ground
March 7, 2023, ItalyAccording to Italian news reports, vandals have caused severe damage to the church of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in the city of La Spezia. The damage involved removing and stealing 15 painted ceramic tiles, vandalizing the baptistery, and stealing the offertory boxes, among other things. It was also reported that pages of sacred texts were scattered on the floor of the sacristy. The perpetrators also left behind satanic books. The police are investigating, but the perpetrators remain unknown.
"Buffer Zones" Clause in England and Wales Criminalize Silent Prayer or "Influence" Around Abortion Clinics
March 7, 2023, United KingdomOn March 7, the House of Commons voted to comprehensively introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to the Public Order Bill for the final time. The clause to the bill was approved by a majority of 299 MPs in favor to 116 against. Now that the Public Order Bill is set to become law, any form of "influence" around abortion clinics will be criminalised, including silent prayer or consensual conversations, de facto making "thought crime" a reality in the UK. Experts have commented that while harassment and intimidation are already illegal, this law would be a serious attack on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.
Vandalism of religious memorial plaque
March 7, 2023, PolandOn the night of March 7, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised a commemorative plaque with the image of St. John Paul II located on the wall of the City and Commune Office in Skała. The vandal painted the commemorative plaque with green spray or paint.
German Minister wants buffer zones around abortion clinics
March 6, 2023, GermanyGermany prohibits abortion, but under the condition that women receive mandatory counseling, it is not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also not punished in cases of danger for the woman's health or rape. As many politicians ask for its legalization, Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, expressed her intentions to create buffer zones around abortion clinics, which poses a real thread on freedom of speech and thought if, as in the UK or Spain, they include the prohibition of prayer, for example.
Teenagers Vandalize Church and Steal Offertory Money
March 5, 2023, FranceOn the 5th of March, three teenagers broke into a church, severely damaged the organ, vandalized the church, and robbed the money in the offertory box. They are to be judged in April. According to the report, the perpetrators climbed through the balcony, stealing the key to the organ and bending several pipes, they also sprayed the church with a fire extinguisher and unsealed a railing.
LGBT-activists disrupt church service
March 5, 2023, PolandOn March 5, 2023, a mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was interrupted. LGBT-activists dressed in coats in the colours symbolising the LGBT movement, demonstratively prostrated themselves in front of the rails during the liturgy. They lay down on the floor, claiming to symbolise that they were "victims of the Church".
High Level of Anti-Christian Crimes in France Can't be Ignored Anymore: Collective Statement by 20 Personalities
March 3, 2023, FranceThe anti-Christian incidents have been rising in France, up to the point that 20 personalities from different organisations and careers have issued a letter to the authorities. The newspaper "Le Figaro" has published a collective statement signed by twenty french personalities asking for a better response against this problem in France and Europe. The article mentions recent news about two nuns who will leave the city of Nantes due to insecurity. The authors state: "If the worrying rise in violence against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France as in Europe." The statement asks the European Union to "react and recall that all anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force."
Glass door smashed during parish event
March 3, 2023, ItalyOn the evening of Sunday, 3 March 2024, unknown individuals shattered the glass door of the room adjoining the BMV Immacolata Parish in Terlizzi, Italy. This room is used by the church for pastoral and catechetical activities. The incident occurred during a meeting between the parish priest, Father Gianni Rafanelli, and young people.
Drunken men interrupt mass and insult priest
March 3, 2023, PolandOn March 3, 2023, there was a disruption in the celebration of Holy Mass at the Franciscan Church in Wronki. During the service, two drunken men aged 29 and 40 entered the church and insulted the priest. Police officers were called to the scene.
Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Desecrated
March 2, 2023, FranceOn March 2, the church of Saint-Eustache located in Paris was severely damaged and desecrated, according to media reports. Unknown perpetrators broke the protective glass of the altar with a fire extinguisher. The parish community was shocked and commented: "This altar is at the heart of the church as Christ is at the heart of our gatherings and of the rich life of our parish community." Further damages and motives are still under investigation.
Anti-Christian Tags on the pavement of the church
February 28, 2023, ItalyOn the last day of February, an act of vandalism and hate crime occurred in the Church of San Giovanni Battista. An Italian news site reported that unknown perpetrators smeared offensive tags and drew symbols on the church's pavement. The symbols were said to be pentagrams, usually used by satanists and an upside-down cross. There was also a stone in front of the church with writings on it. The investigation is ongoing.
Statue broken in church of
February 28, 2023, FranceOn 28 February, a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua was thrown to the ground and smashed, and candle stands were knocked over In the church of Saint-François Xavier in Paris.
Deacon verbally and physically attached when protesting against Drag Queen children show
February 28, 2023, United KingdomRevd Calvin Robinson, a deacon in the Free Church of England, was verbally and physically attacked while protesting against a Drag Queen storytelling event for children set to be held at a local library at Lewisham, London.
Update: School Chaplain loses unfair dismissal case over a sermon where he stated biblical teachings
February 27, 2023, United KingdomRev Dr. Bernard Randall, the former Trent College chaplain in Derbyshire, has lost his unfair dismissal appeal. He was dismissed and reported to a terrorist watchdog after holding a sermon in which he encouraged students to feel free to make up their own opinions regarding the school's initiative to promote LGBT workshops. Even though Rev. Bernard expressed himself respectfully and calmly, he was also blacklisted as a safeguarding risk to children by the Church of England (CofE).
Saint-Ambroise Church in Paris vandalised
February 26, 2023, FranceIn the night from 25 to 26 of February the church on Saint-Ambroise in Paris was broken into. The doors were found damaged and human excrements were found in front of the altar.
Graffiti smeared on the walls of St. Jacob's Church
February 24, 2023, GermanyThe St. Jacob's Church in Köthen, Germany was vandalized on February 24 by an unknown perpetrator who smeared graffiti on the front and around the door of the 19th-century church. The police have been notified and are still investigating the motive behind the graffiti.
Brass Lectern Stolen from Hemingstone Church
February 23, 2023, United KingdomA heavy brass lectern was stolen form St. Gregory's Church in Hemingstone between February 12 and February 23. According to a Suffolk police spokesman, the thieves also attempted to steal a large bronze eagle that sits on top of the lectern from inside the church. It had been moved near to the door of the church and officers believe the burglars planned a second visit to remove it. It has now been taken to a secure location away from the church to prevent it from being stolen. The police said the lectern is a heavy item and would require at least two people to move it. Police are still investigating the incident.
Munich: Hymn Books Set on Fire and Church Vandalised
February 22, 2023, GermanyThe Parish church of St. Heinrich in München was damaged by arson and vandalism on the 22nd of February, causing shock among the parishioners. While visiting the church, a 60-year-old woman found some hymn books set on fire. Before calling the authorities, the lady and an employee were able to extinguish the fire. The German news portal reported that a church room had also been vandalised, candles had been knocked over and hymn books were scattered on the floor. Someone had even urinated into one of the songbooks. The perpetrators remain unknown.
Second Church Desecration in Castellón in one month
February 20, 2023, SpainOn 20 February, a serious desecration took place in the parish church of Santa María de Segorbe. The perpetrators desecrated the tabernacle and also stole money from the church.
Statue of St. Joseph destroyed and fingers were cut off
February 19, 2023, PolandOn February 19, 2023, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the statue of St. Joseph located in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Piłka in the Czarnkowsko-Trzcianecki district of Drawsko. The perpetrator cut off two fingers from the figure, as reported by asta24 Poland. A resident named Ryszard Jablonowski expressed his feelings towards the situation: "I looked at the statue and, to be honest, I am shocked by what I saw. I'm trying to explain to myself what this is all about." The Priest thinks that the marks on the statue could have been done by using a knife, as well as by cutting off the fingers of the St. Joseph statue.
Arson: 5,000 euros Damage at St. Andreas Catholic Church
February 18, 2023, GermanyBetween the 18th and 19th of February, it was reported that the display board of the Catholic Church St. Andreas in Elbingerode was set on fire. The fire caused by unknown perpetrators destroyed the display case and the house facade, covering around 2 meters of the wall. The police are investigating and have estimated the costs of the damages at around 5,000 euros.
Evangelical Church of Veneux-les-Sablons attacked the second time
February 18, 2023, FranceAnother report has come that the Evangelical Baptist Church of Veneux-les-Sablons was vandalized for a second time. A member of the Baptist Association posted pictures on her Facebook page that showed damaged windows and broken glasses. The constant reminder for prayer is needed for the church and the volunteers have also tried to secure the premises before the celebration on February 18.
Paint Bomb Attack Defaced Church of St. Lambert's
February 17, 2023, NetherlandsThe St. Lambert's Church in Etten-Leur was attacked with paint bombs by unknown vandals. The paint covered the front doors, pillars, stairs and a statue. The report says that the "paint had even run in under the door." The incident was reported on February 17. and it mentioned that the Church had recently finished renovating and is unfortunately ruined again. Secretary Johan Snijders explained how the paint was covering the entrance and has soaked up from the pillars, the perpetrators used multiple colours of paint. Snijders reported that the unknown person "had also left behind all sorts of items: books, candles, a laptop, a bag of jars of paint and even a broken pot of vegetables".
Roadside cross in Goręczyno cut down with an axe
February 17, 2023, PolandOn the night of 17 February 2023, an unknown offender used an axe to cut down a roadside cross at a crossroads in Goręczyno and knock it to the ground.
Church windows smashed in Saint-Chéron
February 16, 2023, FranceAs reported on February 16, stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Chéron, France, were smashed by vandals.
Chapel at Gdansk´s Airport Vandalised
February 15, 2023, PolandOn February 15, 2023, a 27 year-old man committed an act of vandalism in the chapel located on the premises of the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport. The perpetrator overturned and damaged the furnishings of the chapel and tore pages from the Bible.
Parish Church of Tarouca Vandalised By unknown perpetrators
February 14, 2023, PortugalUnknown perpetrators vandalized the Parish Church of Tarouca on February 14. The authorities have investigated the crime and have mentioned that the main churchyard doors were scratched, and the stained glass window was destroyed. The Parish said "We only know that it was an attack against a Monument, art, humanity, faith, and the Parish of Tarouca. And this is a crime!”
Two Catholic priests Expelled from Russia
February 14, 2023, RussiaIn February 2023, it became known that two Catholic priests had been expelled from Russia. Fr Mark Bakeżinski was the rector of the Catholic parish of Belgorod up until the moment he was arrested and expelled. He had been accused of allegedly "violating public order". Fr Michał Mżyglud was expelled from Novocherkassk, where he served as rector in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both were Polish citizens.
Church raided and desecrated in Ukraine: Windows and a Crucifix destroyed
February 13, 2023, UkraineOn Friday the 13th, the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vinnytsia was vandalized and desecrated. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was reported that "unknown persons broke almost all the windows, attacked the cross in front of the church with an axe, and broke the legs of the Saviour on Calvary." It was also said that due to the strong force used by the perpetrator throwing the axe and destroying the statue, it also broke other candlelights and other religious objects.
Three Cemeteries Vandalised in Belgium
February 13, 2023, BelgiumIn February 2023, the newly renovated Warnant cemetery Villers-le-Bouillet was the target of vandals who have ripped out the new planting and thrown it on the graves. The cemeteries at Oeudeghien and Montrœul-au-Bois (both, in the Hainaut province) were also vandalised.