All cases
Fire in Laupersdorfs church - arsonist charged
September 16, 2023, SwitzerlandA 36-year-old Swiss man has been charged with the arson of St Martin's Church in Laupersdorf on 16 September and the burning of several vehicles in Grellingen. The church fire caused immense damage.
Two Cases of Desecration in Hospital Chapel in Puerto Real
September 14, 2023, SpainOn the 14th of September, CNA reported that a hospital chapel in the town of Puerto Real, in the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, had recently been desecrated twice. The first time, nothing was stolen but someone moved the tabernacle so that it was out of joint and left a dirty glass in it. The second time, the consecrated hosts were stolen and the veil of the tabernacle was torn off. The police were notified.
Hateful Graffiti On Residence of Cardinal of Cologne
September 13, 2023, GermanyThe official residence of the Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, was smeared with hateful graffiti on the September 19. The entrance gate to the archbishop's house was also sprayed with powder from a fire extinguisher.
Court rules against Geneva's ban on religious processions
September 13, 2023, SwitzerlandThe Swiss Federal Court has ruled in favour of a parish, which has been banned from organising a procession on Corpus Christi by the canton of Geneva. The Court found in its judgment (2C_285/2023) that the ban violates freedom of religion and conscience.
Christ Church in Derry Desecrated
September 12, 2023, IrelandChrist Church in Derry was found with multiple broken windows, including a stained glass window. Vases of flowers were knocked over, a decanter used for communion was stolen, and faeces were found smeared on the pages of a psalm book.
Vandalism in Krakow International Airport Chapel
September 12, 2023, PolandOn 12 September 2023, a 22-year-old vandalised the chapel in the grounds of Krakow-Balice International Airport. After breaking into the airport chapel, the perpetrator overturned a cross, scattered flowers, pulled a tablecloth from the altar and ripped the tabernacle.
UPDATE: UK Home Secretary Clarifies that "Silent Prayer" is not Unlawful
September 8, 2023, United KingdomThe Home Secretary of the UK has now clarified that “silent prayer, within itself, is not unlawful” in a letter for the police forces across the country. This statement comes in response to many months of controversy over "buffer zones" outside abortion facilities that have led to the arrest of several citizens for praying silently in their minds inside a buffer zone.
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission: "Azerbaijan Pursues ‘Elimination of the Entire Christian Population and Its Churches’ in Nagorno-Karabakh"
September 6, 2023, ArmeniaAs the humanitarian situation of Armenian Christians behind Azerbaijan's blockade in Nagoro-Karabakh becomes critical, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress conducted a hearing on 6 September to explore the situation. Experts heard by the commission pointed out that Azerbaijan’s actions clearly constituted a genocide, as it is using starvation as a form of ethnic cleansing. Georgetown University adjunct professor David L. Philips argued that the final intention of Azerbaijan is the “elimination of the entire Christian population and its churches.”
Church Organ Console Worth 5000 Euro Stolen
September 6, 2023, GermanyBetween September 4th and 6th, an organ console worth 5000€ was stolen from a church in Detmold. This is not only significant because of the monetary value but it also hinders the ceremonial process of the mass. Local police assumes that there were at lease two people involved in the theft and started an investigation.
Crosses broken at Besançon cemetery
September 6, 2023, FranceEight graves have been vandalised in the military section of the Saint Claude cemetery in Besançon, Doubs. Headstones and crosses were broken. The damage was reported on 6 September.
Theft and Desecration of Tabernacle from a Church in Mönchengladbach
September 5, 2023, GermanyIn the night of September 4th to 5th, unidentified thieves managed to break into the church in Mönchengladbach by entering through a window of the neighbouring building and then using the shared basement. They left with the tabernacle, the golden chalice inside it and two more boxes of unknown content. Since the tabernacle is quite heavy, police expects that more than one person must have been involved in the crime. The exact damage is unknown since it is not clear what the tabernacle and the chalice are made of gold. The local police started an investigation.
Severe vandalism, desecration and death threats inside a chapel in Pedregalejo, Malaga
September 5, 2023, SpainOn September 5 a man broke into the Corpus Christi parish church in Pedregalejo (Malaga) and caused considerable damage to the parish hall while uttering death threats and shouting "God doesn't exist", among other derogatory phrases against the Church. The offender smashed several paintings, including one of Mary, a carving of Christ crucified, a pedestal of Mary, several chairs, a candelabra and some glass.
Gilded Statue Stolen from Church in Denbighshire
September 5, 2023, United KingdomA 252-year-old statue of a pelican has been stolen from St Dyfnog Church in Llanrhaedr, Denbighshire. The 0.6 meter gilded statue was stolen between August 22 and September 5. The carving, which has been hanging in the church for at least 100 years, was situated next to the altar in the church. The North Wales Police are investigating the theft.
Suspected arson at the Catholic Relief Services
September 4, 2023, FranceAt around 4am on 4 September, a fire destroyed the premises of Secours Catholique in the Maison Diocésaine de la Solidarité, next to the church of Sainte Jeanne Antide in Belfort. The police suspect arson and have launched an investigation.
UPDATE: Päivi Räsänen Stands Trial Again For Sharing her Christian Worldview
September 1, 2023, FinlandDuring the 31st of August and the 1st September, Finnish Politian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola stood trial at the Helsinki Court of Appeal for the charges brought against them of "inciting hatred" against LGBT people. These charges are based upon a Twitter post made by Räsänen in 2019, as well as a pamphlet and a radio interview. Last year, Räsänen and Pohjola were unanimously acquitted of all charges, but due to the appeal by the prosecutor, they stood trial again. The verdict will be announced in November 30th.
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.