All cases
Church in Bodmin Closed to Visitors after Repeated Vandalism
September 1, 2023, United KingdomSt. Petroc's Church in Bodmin was opened to visitors outside of services but on September 1 the church announced that it has been forced to close because of repeated vandalism. A spokesperson of the church said that it hoped to reopen to visitors in time, and that it was working with the police on the issue.
Church vandalised twice in one month
September 1, 2023, GermanyFollowing an attempted burglary in September in which the entrance gate was damaged, the altarpiece of the Protestant Church of the Redeemer in Fürstenfeldbruck in Bavaria, southern Germany, has now been vandalised.
Religious objects and church bell stolen from chapel in Cordoba
September 1, 2023, SpainThe chapel in the Villa Posse district of Cordoba was looted on August. Thieves stole frames and paintings from the sacristy, various objects, the bell and even the lock, as well as electrical equipment.
Youths vandalise cemetery
September 1, 2023, SpainIn September, youths vandalised several graves in a cemetery in Surata. They tore up flowers and smashed gravestones, plaques in the cemetery and a statue of Mary in the cemetery chapel.
UPDATE: Hieromonk Ioann Kurmoyarov sentenced to three years in jail for oposing war in Ukraine
August 31, 2023, RussiaThe verdict of the Court against Fr Ioann Kurmoyarov was given on 31 August and has finally sentenced the hieromonk to 3 years in a penal colony accused of disseminating false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Anti-mafia priest attacked
August 29, 2023, ItalyRome's most prominent anti-mafia priest, known for his efforts to rescue young people from the drug trade was attacked during a march against organised crime by a 28-year-old man on a scooter who was found to be carrying a hammer and cleaver.
Glass Door of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna Destroyed with Hammer
August 27, 2023, AustriaIn the evening of August 27, on the fringes of a Syrian protest, a glass door of the St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna was smashed with a hammer. The police, who were present due to the rally scheduled for the evening, immediately arrested the perpetrator armed with two hammers. The man was taken to the hospital, in case he was suffering from psychosis - the police considered a connection with the demonstration unlikely.
DONE JH: three Romanesque churches covered in tags
August 27, 2023, SpainThree Romanesque churches in the historic centre of Zamora, were covered in tags this summer. On the facade of the church of San Esteban locals found up to 30 graffiti, including upside down crosses, an anti-Christian symbol.
Church break-in: Windows Smashed and Liturgical Objects Stolen
August 26, 2023, FinlandOn August 26, someone broke the windows of an old church in Helsinki's Oulunkylä in the early hours of the morning and stole silver objects.
Six Stone Crosses were broken from the crowns on Budapest's Margaret Bridge
August 25, 2023, HungaryOn the night of August 24, three men broke 6 stone crosses from de crowns on Margaret Bridge in Budapest. The perpetrators were filmed by CCTV cameras and an investigation has been launched by the police to identify them.
Church Hall Targeted by Persistent Vandalism
August 25, 2023, United KingdomThe Loyola Centre in Wishaw, a community church hall adjacent to St Ignatius’s Church, has become the target of ongoing vandalism. Young vandals caused significant damage over the summer of 2023, including throwing stones, rocks, and bricks at the center's windows.
Muslim Man hurls Insults and throws rocks at the windows of a church in Sweden
August 22, 2023, SwedenA man targeted a Catholic church in Haninge, near Stockholm, with stones while shouting "Allah Akbar, I'm going to rape Jesus." The video is uploaded by 'Fares Aziz', he posted the video on TikTok. It is not exactly clear when the event took place and how local authorities responded.
Three cars belonging to priests set on fire
August 21, 2023, PolandOn August 21, 2023, a 35-year-old man set fire to three cars belonging to priests in Gliwice. The cars were parked near the Church of Christ the King on Okrzei Street and the Parish of the Holy Family on Chorzowska Street. According to the police, the arsons were deliberate.
Statue of Mary stolen
August 21, 2023, FranceA statue of Mary, placed in the niche of the foyer of Saint François-Régis in Saint-Julien Chapteuil in Haute-Loire, was stolen on 21 August.
Vandals set fire to a cross on the summit of Nagy-Szénás mountain
August 20, 2023, HungaryVandals set fire to a wooden cross erected a few years ago in the Nagy-Szénás mountain, near the village of Nagykovácsi. This happened on August 20, when Hungary celebrates its first king St. Stephen I and the State Foundation Day. The burning of the cross, erected on the 550-metre-high peak, has provoked strong anger among the villagers who have already started a fundraising campaign to replace the cross as soon as possible. The perpetrators have not been identified.
Medieval Stone Cross Stolen from Church in Lincolnshire
August 19, 2023, United KingdomA medieval stone cross was taken from St. John The Baptist Church in Great Carlton between 1:45 and 7:30 PM on August 19. The cross had been described as "priceless to the church in historical terms". The police are still searching for information and for the perpetrator.
Organ Stolen From St. Mary's Church
August 19, 2023, GermanyOn August 19, unknown perpetrators stole an organ from St. Mary's Church, which was open 24/7. Taking advantage of this fact, church employees suspect the theft had been planned in advance, also considering the organ weighs around 50 kg, requiring at least two people to carry it, as well as an adequate vehicle to transport it in. The damage is estimated to amount to around 5,000 euros. The police were alerted and started an investigation into the occurrence.
Relics of Saint Agatha stolen from Brescia Church
August 18, 2023, ItalyOn 18 August, the relics of Saint Agatha were stolen from the reliquary in a church in Brescia, leaving behind a reliquary of much greater commercial value than its sacred contents.
Man attacks church in Turin in broad daylight by throwing rocks and insulting Christians
August 17, 2023, ItalyOn August 17 a foreign man attacked the historic church of Santa Cristina in Turin's Plazza San Carlo in broad daylight. The attack can be seen in a video that is circulating on the Internet. In the video, the man can be heard cursing at the worshippers inside the church, and shouting: 'F****ng Christians'. The perpetrator was arrested by the police and was taken to a hospital, as he injured himself while throwing stones against the church.
Cyprus: Man harasses priest in Monastery by reciting the Islamic profession of faith
August 17, 2023, CyprusOn August 17, a video surfaced on the Internet showing a man in the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Karpasia peninsula of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, harassing a priest by reciting the Shahāda (Islamic profession of faith). Legal proceedings have been initiated against the provokator.
Belarus: Pastor of the New Life Church Minsk Arrested Again
August 15, 2023, BelarusPastor Viachaslau Hancharenka of the New Life Full Gospel Church in Minsk, was detained together with his son-in-law Illia Budai on the 15th of August. According to the news, 20 armed policemen broke into his house, searched and detained them. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and his son-in-law to 5 days in jail for resisting the detention.
Church Vandalised in the Saale-Holzland district
August 15, 2023, GermanyUnknown people vandalized a church in Dornburg-Camburg, a town located in the Saale-Holzland district.
Saint-Martin de Dunières Church Closes Due To Vandalism
August 15, 2023, FranceThe Church of Saint-Martin de Dunières announced on August 15 that it would remain closed, except for services, until further notice. The cause was a series of acts of vandalism which happened in the past two months.
Church windows smashed
August 15, 2023, FranceIn mid-August, teenagers smashed four of the non-figurative stained glass windows in the church at Ordonnaz in the Ain department with stones. A parishioner expressed shock about the incident.
Vandal tried to break an icon in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during service
August 13, 2023, UkraineAn unidentified individual entered the church of Venerable Agapitos of the Kyiv Caves and struck an icon of Jesus twice with a stone during the Divine Liturgy. The parishioners stopped his actions and called the police, who detained the attacker.
Liturgical Objects stolen from St. Norbert Church
August 13, 2023, GermanyBetween the 12th and 13th of August, unknown perpetrators robbed St. Norbert Church in Bocholt. They forcibly entered the church through a side entrance and stole a golden chalice a silver host bowl used for the liturgy, a laptop, and a safe from the church.
Windows at Village Church in Gullane Smashed
August 12, 2023, United KingdomOn the night of August 12, the windows were smashed at the church of St. Adrian's in Gullane. The Rev Simon Metzner stated that there had been reports of youths drinking and smashing bottles in the area. He was unsure of the cost of the damage but stressed that police were looking into the issue.
Repeated Vandalism at Bonn Cathedral
August 12, 2023, GermanyOn the night of August 12, Bonn Cathedral Basilica again became the target of vandalism and attempted theft during the night, marking it the fourth incident in eight months.
Church Vandalised: "Evil" written on Altar
August 12, 2023, BelgiumOn August 12, the church at Buissenal in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, Belgium, was vandalised. The perpetrator(s) broke into the church and destroyed the stained glass windows. The perpetrators used some of the broken candles to 'write' the word 'EVIL' on the altar. Two gravestones in the cemetery were also defaced.
Graves ransacked in Charleroi
August 10, 2023, BelgiumOn August 10, several graves in the Couillet Fiestaux cemetery near Charleroi in the Hainaut region of Belgium have been ransacked, the plaques smashed and the flowers thrown away.
Church and Cemetery Defaced with Anti-Christian Tags
August 9, 2023, FranceDuring the night of August 9, the church in Villedieu-sur-Indre was tagged with the words ‘ni Dieu ni maître’ (‘neither God nor master’) and an anarchist symbol. In the neighbouring commune of Châtillon, a similar tag was put on the wall of the cemetery the same night.
Graves at Wigston Cemetery repeatedly desecrated
August 9, 2023, United KingdomWigston Cemetery, near Leicester, has been the scene of numerous acts of vandalism and even grave desecration. Relatives of the deceased had complained about repeated problems at the cemetery.
Vandals devastated facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Milan
August 8, 2023, ItalyOn the night of 7-8 August, a group of unidentified vandals entered and destroyed the parish facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Vigentino, Milan. "The area with all the objects was ransacked, plus two fire extinguishers were emptied. There was white powder everywhere," told one of the founders of the association that is helping to clean and repair the destruction. The carabinieri investigating the case are also voluntarily helping with the clearing clear out of service hours.
UPDATE: Councillor Supporting Christian Councillor's Freedom of Speech Now Faces Criminal Investigation
August 8, 2023, United KingdomOn August 8, Wellingborough Town Councillor Anthony Stevens, 50, was searched in his house in front of his wife and children, taken to the Kettering police station, and heavily questioned, for posting tweets from his personal account supporting the case of Christian Councillor King Lawal. King Lawal faced suspension as a Councillor, investigations and other forms of cancelling and discriminatory treatment for tweeting that "Pride" is a sin in June 2023. Mr Lawal launched a petition, which has been signed by over 26,000 people, calling on the Chairman of the Conservative Party, Greg Hands, to intervene in his behalf. Cllr Stevens shared the petition and tweeted in support of Cllr Lawal saying: ‘If you value free speech please sign and share’. Officers showed Cllr Stevens his tweets and asked him why he supported the petition. Cllr Stevens stated that he is a free speech absolutist and that even if he does not agree with someone, he believes in their right to express their beliefs. Cllr Stevens was released on bail, his mobile phone was seized to be searched for further evidence. He is required to surrender himself at Kettering police station on November 1. He has made a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding his treatment.
Vandals wreak havoc in Milan church
August 8, 2023, ItalyBetween 7th and 8th August, the church of Santa Maria Liberatrice in Milan was vandalized. The premises were also used as the headquarters of a charity organisation Milano Sospesa. Some of the clothing and blankets they had collected for charity had become unusable.
Destruction of the shrine of the Sorrowful Christ
August 8, 2023, PolandOn the night of August 7-8, 2023, unknown perpetrators destroyed the chapel of the Sorrowful Christ in Karczew. The vandals used an axe to destroy the hands and part of the head of the wooden figure of Christ.
Church vandalised with Red paint in Lucca
August 7, 2023, ItalyUnknown perpetrators targeted the side entrance of the Basilica of San Paolino in Lucca with red paint. The parish priest Don Lucio Malanca told the newspaper "La Nazione" that they have experienced of repeated acts of vandalism. He said: "Unfortunately, this is not even the most serious act of vandalism suffered by our Lucchese churches and monuments in the historic centre".
Serbian Orthodox church vandalised in Kosovo the night before its commemoration
August 7, 2023, KosovoThe Office for Kosovo and Metohija of the Government of the Republic of Serbia reported and shared pictures of a vandalic attack that the church of Saint Petka suffered on 7 August. The church is located in the settlement of Suvi Do, close to Mitrovica, and belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church was attacked the night before its dedication day (temple's glory day).
Vandalism at Angoulême cathedral
August 7, 2023, FranceOn 7 August, the cathedral of Angoulême was vandalised: Chests were broken into, looted and even deformed with tools. Candles were thrown to the floor and their burners damaged. Liturgical equipment, such as lecterns, was also damaged.
"World Youth Day" monument in Leiria vandalised with anti-Church inscription
August 6, 2023, PortugalOn the night of August 6-7, the monument with the letters "Leiria" in the city of the same name in Portugal was vandalized with an anti-Church slogan. The letters were put in commemoration of World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal painted with the colors and the logo of WYD.
"Are you a Christian?" Three Christians assaulted and robbed by gang
August 6, 2023, FranceOn Sunday 6 August, a group of friends were attacked by six people in the Vieux-Port, in the 1st arrondissement of Marseille. The attackers asked them if they were Christians and stole their crosses.
Recently inaugurated St Anthony statue decapitated and vandalized in Portugal
August 5, 2023, PortugalThe statue of St Anthony recently inaugurated in Torres Novas was vandalised on August 5. It was found the next morning with the head cut off, the statue of the Infant Jesus destroyed and a carton banner written "God is dead" and "You paedophiles." The damage was valued at €13,000.
"God is Trans" tagged on Religious Panel during World Youth Day
August 5, 2023, PortugalOn August 5, a tile panel depicting the Ecce Homo (an image of Jesus Christ), the 5th station of the ancient procession of "Nosso Senhor dos Passos," was vandalized with the graffiti "God is trans" in the city of Torres Novas. This panel had recently been restored and blessed.
Vandals raid medieval church in Varigotti and destroy several objects
August 5, 2023, ItalyUnknown vandals entered San Lorenzo's medieval church in Varigotti on the night of 5-6 August and destroyed several things during the raid. Apart from ransacking the premises, they also stole offerings and other equipment from the church.
Arson in Großröhrsdorf destroys 300 year old protestant church
August 4, 2023, GermanyOn August 4, the baroque protestant church of Großröhrsdorf, a small town in Saxony, burned down to the ground. After a week of investigation, the criminal investigation department determined that the cause of the fire was arson and a suspect has already been arrested.
Church of Saint Peter desecrated in Désaignes
August 4, 2023, FranceOn August 4, the church of Saint Peter of Désaignes, in France, was vandalized on its interior. A crucifix was damaged, leaving the arms of Christ broken, when it was taken down and left near the altar. There were also tags painted with silver paint on two pillars on either side of the altar, representing the male and female symbols. The gendarmerie is conducting an investigation.
Statue of Saint Joseph stolen
August 4, 2023, FranceA plaster statue of Saint Joseph was stolen from the abbey church of Saint-Jouin de Marnes in the Deux Sèvres department on 4 August.
Porsche digitally removes Lisbon's landmark Christ statue from advertisement
August 2, 2023, PortugalGerman luxury car brand Porsche digitally removed the statue of Christ the King in Lisbon from an advertisement celebrating 60 years of the Porsche 911 filmed in Portugal and published on 2 August. After the unreasonable removal of the monument caused outrage among Christians, the brand apologised for the "error" and re-published the video with the Christ unedited.
Satanic Symbols sprayed on Church Wall in Graz
August 2, 2023, AustriaIn the night of 1st to 2nd of August, a church in Graz was vandalised with graffiti. Perpetrators painted inverted crosses on the outside walls of the church. Inverted crosses are known to be anti-Christian, satanic and occultist symbols. The police were notified and have started an investigation.
St. Oswald's Parish Church Reduces Opening Hours After Vandalism
August 1, 2023, United KingdomSt Oswald's Parish Church in Oswestry has implemented new opening hours in response to reports of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour on its premises. In a Facebook announcement, a church spokesperson expressed regret over the need to reduce the opening hours, citing recent incidents of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour as the driving force behind the decision.