All cases
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.
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.