All cases
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated and Church Desecrated
February 12, 2023, FranceThe church of Saint-Martin located in Choisy-le-Roi was vandalized on the 12th of February. The French news portal has reported the statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated and desecrated. Quoted "the church of Saint-Martin was vandalized by one or more individuals, according to information from Le Parisien confirmed by the Créteil prosecutor's office."
Saint-Martin d'Orly: Statue beheaded and hosts stolen
February 12, 2023, FranceOn February 12, the church of Saint-Martin d'Orly, on the border with Choisy-le-Roi was vandalised. A statue of Mary was beheaded and the consecrated hosts stolen from the tabernacle.
Nativity Scene in Saint Roch Church vandalised
February 12, 2023, FranceThe nativity scene of the Saint Roch church in Paris was vandalized on January 12. Although the figures were protected behind bars, somebody pulled the fabric on which the statues were placed and overturned them.
Four fires started in Chanteloup les Vignes Church
February 11, 2023, FranceOn February 11, around 3 pm. fire was set to the St Roch Church in Chanteloup les Vignes. A parishioner looking after the choir noticed the fire. Three fires had been started on sheets of paper inside the church. Additionally, a larger fire had been set in the toilets.
Devastating Damage to Baroque Church by Arson and Vandalism
February 10, 2023, GermanyThe historical Baroque "Church of the Cross" in Wissen has been destroyed and desecrated on the 10th of February. The police have identified a 39-year-old perpetrator, who has caused damages worth millions of euros. According to the reports, the man broke open the back door of the church by smashing it with stones, vandalized the religious symbols and set fire to the high altar, which has been completely destroyed. Two firefighter squats were able to stop the fire, they were alarmed as people noticed smoke coming out of the church.
Pastor Devastated After Repeated Vandalism to His Church
February 10, 2023, GermanyThe Marienkirche in Treuchtlingen has once again been vandalised by unknown perpetrators. On February 10 it was reported that perpetrators broke the windows of the Church, left used socks on an open Bible, as well as a box of cigarettes, and urinated on the corner of the room. Pastor Matthias Fischer was sadly not surprised after witnessing the scene. He expressed his emotions and frustration since there have been several cases of vandalism in the Marienkirche. However, Pastor decided not to report this case this time, as he says he has had much worse.
Tabernacle Desecrated and Stolen
February 9, 2023, SpainThe tabernacle of the parish of Lozoyuela-Navas-Sieteiglesias in Madrid was desecrated and stolen. Furthermore, perpetrators ransacked the parish sacristy. It was reported that offerings collected from the parish have also been stolen.
Cross on a child's grave broken down
February 9, 2023, United KingdomA Celtic cross on the grave of a child near St Mary's Church in High Heskett, Cumbria (England), was broken. According to the police, it was deliberate vandalism.
19-year-old Arrested after Video Showing him Burning an Image of the Virgin
February 8, 2023, RussiaA video on the internet have been circulating in Astrakhan of a 19-year-old burning a religious shrine, an image of the the Virgin Mary. Later that day, he was arrested and questioned by the police. The person filming behind the camera will also be questioned for the offensive crime.
Cyrill and Methodius Monument Vandalized in Bautzen
February 7, 2023, GermanyIn the first week of February 2023, the Dresden-Meißen diocese reported that the statue of Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles to the Slavs, in Bautzen was vandalised.
Threats against Christians sprayed on wall
February 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 February, youths were charged for graffiti containing insults and threats against the Christian faith. The slogans also included insults against the police in Terni. It was reported that some witnesses had told the police that several hooded boys could have carried out this type of act. The graffiti was eventually removed and the perpetrators are still being investigated.
Sacrilegious theft in church in Altino
February 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 February, a sacrilegious act took place in the church of San Rocco in Altino, in the region of Chieti. The thieves not only stole sacred objects such as a reliquary and a handbell, but also a pyx containing consecrated hosts from the tabernacle.
Paris: man arrested for making death threats against priests
February 7, 2023, FranceOn February 7, a man was arrested by police in Paris for making death threats against multiple priests. According to a French news site, a staff member from the Saint-Sulpice church alerted the authorities about the suspect. It was also reported that the man had threatened a priest in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés parish. The Paris judicial police are investigating the case, and it was revealed that the man is on an S file for state security related to terrorism and a search file for a temporary ban from French territory. These developments are concerning and raise questions about the motives behind the threats and whether the man acted alone or as part of a larger group.
Man threatens lives of several priests
February 7, 2023, FranceA man subject to an obligation to leave French territory, who is also on the S list for ‘activities linked to terrorism’, was arrested on 7 February for threatening the lives of several priests in the parish of Saint Sulpice.
Church Vandalised Multiple Times in Catanzaro
February 5, 2023, ItalyA church in Catanzaro suffered a vandalic attack in early February (reported on the 5th February), causing damages worth 3000 euros. According to the sources, this church has been targeted before. "Dismay and anger. The umpteenth act of vandalism to which the Pistoia neighbourhood church of St. Mary of Hope [in Catanzaro], has been subjected provokes a reaction of indignation" reports Catanzaro Informa quoting Fr. Giorgio Pilò, parish priest of the vandalised church.
Parish Centre in Rzeszów marked with hateful inscriptions
February 5, 2023, PolandOn 5 February 2023, a centre in the premises of the parish of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in Rzeszów, was vandalised and marked with hateful inscriptions. Among the words written on the walls of the building were "You are robbing children" and "Silver Czarnek".
Charity Worker Faces Charges After Sharing About being ex-gay and converting to Christianity
February 3, 2023, MaltaMatthew Grech, a 33-year-old charity worker from Malta had a first trial on February 3, after being charged with allegedly promoting 'conversion practices.' The allegations came after Matthew held an online interview with PMnews Malta in which he shared his testimony of becoming a Christian. He talked about his past, saying that he identified as gay in the past and used to be confused regarding his sexuality. Although he never promoted "conversion therapies", the police have pressed criminal charges against him.
UPDATE: Charges Dropped Against UK Woman for Praying Silently
February 1, 2023, United KingdomIsabel Vaughan-Spruce had been arrested and charged with violating protest policy near an abortion center, as she was standing on the street and praying in her thoughts. UK authorities have now dropped the charges against her, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) warned that charges could start again in a near future. Vaughan-Spruce has said she wants to seek a clear verdict in court.
Vandalism of roadside shrines
February 1, 2023, PolandIn mid-February 2023, two teenagers (17 and 18 years old) stole destroyed two roadside chapels in Puznówka. They also stole the religious statues from the shrines.
Orthodox Church Shelled by Russian Invaders in Oleshky
January 31, 2023, UkraineOn January 31, it was reported that the Russian invaders have fired on a Church belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate in the town of Oleshky. The attack happened while a funeral was taking place, in which collaborate Zhuravko was being buried. The number of casualties after the incident is still under investigation.
Faou Church vandalised
January 31, 2023, FranceThe Faou church was vandalised on Tuesday, January 31 by a group of young people. Consequently, the church will remain closed indefinitely. Exasperation rises in the municipality in the face of repeated incivility.
Cross broken and graves vandalised in Chartres cemetery
January 31, 2023, FranceOn 31 January 2023, police officers found that two graves in the Saint-Chéron cemetery in Chartres, France, have been vandalised. A cross had been broken in two places and a granite commemorative plaque shattered.
Dutch Council of State Opinion: "Conversion Therapy" Banns Violate Religious Freedom
January 30, 2023, NetherlandsOne year after a group of MPs proposed a Bill in the Netherlands to ban "conversion therapies" (February 2022), the Dutch Council of State declared that the proposed bill would be a violation of religious freedom. The proposed bill aimed to impose a fine of up to 22,500€ and a year of prison for anyone found guilty of offering conversion therapies. But in a recent opinion, the Council announced that there was no clear way to differentiate between actual victims of coercion and participants who chose such a practice voluntarily, emphasizing that intrusive forms of "conversion therapy" and coercion are already prohibited by the existing laws.
House of Lords Passes Buffer Zone Amendment That Turns Prayer into "Thought Crime"
January 30, 2023, United KingdomOn the 30th of January, the House of Lords passed an amendment that introduces fines for citizens found guilty of “influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services” within 150 metres of these service facilities. The amendment made to the Public Order Bill was tabled by Conservative peer Baroness Suggs.
Crosses torn down at Dampremy cemetery
January 30, 2023, BelgiumAt the end of January, local residents found the graves in the Dampremy cemetery in a terrible state. They were particularly shocked to find that in one of the alleys the crosses had been torn down, as had some of the inscriptions on the graves.
Suspect detained in the attack and robbery of a Priest in the town of Jaslo
January 29, 2023, PolandIn the street of Polskie Czerwonego Krzyża located in Jaslo, Poland, a 37-year-old suspect, has attacked and robbed a Priest who was taking a stroll for Christmas carols. The suspect wearing a hoodie and having a knife has come up to the Priest and has stolen his sachet, which contained a sprinkler, prayer book, holy pictures, and pastoral materials, but with no injuries. With the help of witnesses and shreds of evidence, the police department detained the perpetrator on January 11, 2023. The District Court of Jaslo has given him 3 months of jail time.
Swastika Sprayed Next to the Entrance Door of Church
January 28, 2023, GermanyOn the afternoon of January 28., a perpetrator sprayed a red swastika symbol on the entrance door of the St. Wendelin Church in Neuses. It was reported that the act of vandalism was discovered right after the mass around 6:15 p.m.. The number 187 was also found next to it. An employee who takes care of the church, Klaus Schmitt, has removed the spray paint off from the wall.
Intended Arson: Two teenagers record themselves While Trying to set Fire To A Church
January 28, 2023, BelarusIt was reported that two 15-year-old teenage girls have caused a hate crime Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Grodno. They filmed themselves while committing this crime on January 28. It is mentioned that the girls might belong to a gothic subculture "judging from their clothes and appearance at the time they committed their act." The agency has also shared how images of swastikas were on their phones and both have been sentenced for vandalism.
Cross stolen from Doncaster church
January 28, 2023, United KingdomOn 28 January, the church in Doncaster, Yorkshire, was broken into and various items stolen, including a brass tray and cross.
Desecration of church in Koziegłowy. A man has been arrested.
January 27, 2023, PolandOn January 27 the church of Our Lady of Fatima in Koziegłowy near Poznań was desecrated. The perpetrator was a 41-year-old man who has been arrested. He knocked over a statue of the Virgin Mary, vandalized the manger, left the figure of Jesus in the baptismal font and damaged the church's sound system. The Metropolitan Curia of Poznań has called the faithful for acts of reparation.
Cemetery in Świerczyn Severely Vandalised
January 27, 2023, PolandOn the night of 3-4 February 2023, unknown perpetrators vandalised the cemetery in Świerczyn in the Leszno district. About 30-40 gravestones were more or less damaged. In some cases slabs were toppled, vases smashed, in others grave elements were completely smashed and crosses knocked over.
Attack against two churches in Algeciras leaves one dead and at least four wounded — terrorist shouted "death to Christians"
January 25, 2023, SpainOn the evening of January 25, a jihadist terror attack targeting two Catholic churches took place in Algeciras, Spain. Y. K., a 25-year-old Moroccan, has been arrested as the sole perpetrator of the attack, which he executed with a machete. An altar server was killed, and at least four persons are injured, including a priest in serious condition. Several witnesses indicate that he conducted the attack while shouting "Allah is great" and "death to Christians".
Unknown Vandals Damage Confessionals with Burnt Cigarette Marks
January 25, 2023, AustriaOn the 25th of January, unknown perpetrators damaged the confessional chairs of a church with cigarette buds. The police have described the damages located in Saalfelden, Austria as willful damage to numerous pews. The investigation is still ongoing to find out the perpetrator(s).
Graffitis and Vandalism Return to Cathedral of la Seo
January 24, 2023, SpainThe "la Seo" Cathedral in Zaragoza has been vandalized again, as reported on the 24th of January. The facade of the church was graffitied in several parts of the outer walls with random words, pro-Moroccan slogans, anti-police slogans and anarchist symbols with red and black spray paint. The Church has said they filed a complaint, and the investigations are still going on.
Third Church Attacked With Arson in Paris During one Week
January 24, 2023, FranceBetween the 17th and the 25th of January, three Parisian churches have been attacked with arson by unknown perpetrators. Several fires have caused shock and sadness among parishioners in Paris. The last attack was on the Church of Saint-Laurent in the 10th district on the 24th. According to the findings, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the left side of the door.
A Statue of Jesus on the Cross Shot at in Poland
January 23, 2023, PolandDuring the weekend of January 23 in the village of Krzrpielow, a Crucifix was desecrated. An unknown perpetrator shot the statue of Jesus on the cross that belongs to the Church of the Holy Trinity. The incident was reported to the police, who are treating the case as desecration, due to the lack of respect for religious feelings. The investigation is still ongoing, and the police are asking for help to find the perpetrator.
Perpertrators Smashed Windows of Church of St. Paul
January 23, 2023, GermanyOn January 23., a witness reported to the police that several young people had destroyed the windows at the Church of St. Paul in Velbert. In a German news website, it said "small stones were used to damage the exterior glazing of the windows of the Bohemian Church." It was also reported that larger stones were found larger surrounding the Church. Fortunately, no persons were harmed. The police are looking for the vandals.
Vandalism of Józefów cemetery
January 23, 2023, PolandOn January 23, 2023, a twenty-three-year-old man committed an act of vandalism at the cemetery in Józefów in Biłgoraj County. The perpetrator smashed candles and scattered flowers around several tombstones in the necropolis.
UK: Army Veteran Fined for Praying for His Diseased Son Quietly in His Mind
January 19, 2023, United KingdomThe NGO ADF UK posted a video of two community safety accredited officers in Bournemouth interrogating a veteran who was standing on the street alone, praying in his thoughts. The officers told Adam Smith-Connor that he was praying inside a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) space, for which he was fined. According to the PSPO, certain activities such as acts of "disapproval" towards the abortion facility in the area are prohibited. Adam is at least the second person who was fined for praying silently on the street. He told the officers he was praying for his deceased son, which they considered an "act of disapproval."
Two Anonymous Terror Threats Against Evangelical School in Gelsenkirchen
January 18, 2023, GermanyThe Protestant comprehensive school located in Gelsenkirchen has been surrounded and interrogated by the police department due to two anonymous shooting threats sent to the school via email on January 18 and 20. In both cases, the building was evacuated and carefully examined, no injuries have taken place. The President of the Westphalian Church, Annette Kurschus, has conveyed her shock about the threats and has asked for prayers and safety for all the teachers and students as well as the school. A suspect is being investigated by the police.
Premises of Sacred Heart church in Gavirate vandalised
January 18, 2023, ItalyBroken glass bottles and vases have been smashed in the vicinity and in the courtyard of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Gavirate, Italy. The perpetrators have not yet been found and investigations are continuing.
Molotov cocktail thrown against the church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs
January 18, 2023, FranceThere have been multiple cases in France, where churches have been targeted for hate crimes, theft or vandalism. The newest incident happened on January 18 near Paris, where the church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs and its front door and facade were partially burned. An unknown perpetrator has thrown an incendiary device, which was reported to be a molotov cocktail, against the front door at around five o'clock in the morning.
Two Arson Attacks on Parisian Church Notre-Dame-de-Fatima
January 17, 2023, FranceOn the 17th and the 22nd of January, the church of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima, the 19th district of Paris, was hit twice by unknown arsonists. The Newspaper "Le Parisien" reported that the door of the church was sprayed with a flammable liquid. Then, the perpetrators used newspapers to start a fire, which fortunately did not spread inside the building.
Wall of Aya Yorgi Church graffitied with "Islam is the only way"
January 16, 2023, TurkeyAccording to Mesopotamia Agency, an unknown perpetrator wrote "Islam is the only way" on the walls of the church's garden. The search for the suspect continues. The Aya Yorgi church was built in 1836 by Nicholas the Cross and is located in the Edirnekapı district of Istanbul.
Christian Receives Jail Sentence for Refusing Military Service on Conscientious Grounds
January 16, 2023, UkraineOn the 16th of January, 46-year-old Vitaly Alekseenko was given a one-year jail term for refusing the call to the military on conscientious grounds. The Ivano-Frankivsk Appeal Court rejected his appeal against his conviction and has sentenced him to jail starting on the 19th of January. Alekseenko is the fifth known case of court conviction due to conscientious objection, but he is the first one to receive a jail sentence. Alekseenko told Forum 18 that he is "not guilty under the law of God".
Frequent church thefts in Wysowa-Zdroj
January 13, 2023, PolandIn a small village in Poland, there has been a series of thefts from churches, and the police have not yet been able to identify the perpetrators.
Priest in Newry devastated his church had six windows and four bathrooms destroyed
January 13, 2023, IrelandNear the city of Newry, vandalism occurred at a church on January 13 during the night. The perpetrator broke six windows and four bathrooms that were outside the Church of the Sacred Heart. Father Richard Naughton commented that he was "shocked to the core" and vandalism like this had never happened before. The cost for the reparation of the windows was estimated at thousand pounds. The perpetrator is still on the run. The police department has asked for witnesses to contact them as soon as possible.
Stained Glass Windows Smashed at Church in Cloughoge
January 13, 2023, United KingdomThe Church of the Sacred Heart in Cloughoge was vandalised overnight between January 12 and 13. Police received a report around 9 AM on January 13 that six windows of the church and four outside toilets had been smashed overnight. The stained glass windows require specialist repair which is expected to cost many thousand pounds.
Street Preacher in Scotland wins Case After Being Wrongfully arrested for alleged "Hate Speech"
January 13, 2023, United KingdomMr Angus Cameron, the Pastor of Cumnock Baptist Church, has now received £5,500 for his unlawful detention by the Police, as well as £9,400 for the legal costs. Mr Cameron decided to donate all of his compensation to The Christian Institute, an NGO that supported him throughout this legal case. Mr Cameron was handcuffed and arrested by the police back in 2020, for "breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation". He was contacted by the police a few days later and told that he would not be prosecuted, but a non-crime hate incident had been filed. Mr Cameron then sought assistance from the Christian Institute.
Disruption of church service in Warsaw
January 13, 2023, PolandOn January 13, 2023, three drunk men disrupted the celebration of evening mass in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles in Warsaw. According to eyewitnesses, they entered the church during the service and began cursing and screaming.