All cases
Theft of nativity scene figures
December 20, 2024, United KingdomOn 20 December, it was reported that all the figures - Mary, Joseph, animals and the Infant Jesus - were missing from the nativity scene next to the church in Tunbridge, Wales.
Destruction of the Passion Cross in Krosno
December 19, 2024, PolandIn the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krosno, the Passion Cross and the figure of Jesus Christ hanging from it were desecrated on 19 December. The vandalism was particularly brutal, and the figure was broken into many fragments.
14-year-olds arrested for vandalising cemetery
December 19, 2024, PolandBetween 9 and 19 December, a series of acts of vandalism took place at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin. The perpetrators damaged tombstones, demolished graves, spilled wax from lighted candles and smashed them against tombstones. Two 14-year-olds were arrested for desecration.
Cemetery in Migny vandalised with swastikas
December 19, 2024, FranceThe town hall of Migny filed a complaint after several swastika inscriptions were found on a monument in the local cemetery on 19 December. The police are now investigating this act of vandalism.
Metz Nativity Scene Vandalised: Statues of Mary and Joseph beheaded
December 17, 2024, FranceThe figures of Mary and Joseph have been beheaded in a vandalism attack on the nativity scene in front of the Metz train station, the city authorities announced on 17 December. According to the town hall, an investigation is underway to find the perpetrators. A complaint has been lodged.
Desecration of graves with satanic symbols: Ritual motives "not ruled out"
December 17, 2024, SpainIn Seville town of El Viso del Alcor, the desecration of four coffins in the municipal cemetery on December 17 is being investigated. Authorities and specialists do not rule out ritual motivations. In Spain, an increase in attacks on Christian cemeteries is reported for 2024.
Vandals damage church wall with fire
December 16, 2024, GermanyBetween 14 and 15 December, unknown persons set fire to the church behind the large chapel on Büscherweg, Kierspe, damaging the back wall of the church.
Vandalism: Withington church spray-painted
December 16, 2024, IrelandSt Peter's Church in Withington was vandalised on 16 December, with the door and interior sprayed with paint. Police officers described the damage as 'shocking and irreparable'.
Fire at Christian centre, suspected arson by left-wing extremists
December 15, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 15 December, a pile of rubbish and bulky waste caught fire at the back of a building housing the Bremen police and the local Free Church welfare office. Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility and expressed hostility towards the Pentecostal Church.
Nativity figurines disappeared
December 14, 2024, ItalyThe statues of Mary and the ox disappeared from the nativity scene in front of the church of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Lucia in Cesa, a hamlet in the municipality of Marciano della Chiana, on December 14.
Desecration of a church with a satanic symbol
December 13, 2024, FranceThe church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Guercheville (Seine-et-Marne) was the target of vandalism on the night of 13 December. Parishioners in the village raised the alarm after discovering the symbol 666 with an "S" on the front door.
Pastor and Christian community offered protection by police
December 12, 2024, GermanyProtestant pastor Ralf Sedlak has been the target of several threats and attacks following a sermon criticising the Hamas attack on Israel in October. The police are now being called in to protect him and his family, as well as to provide security for church services as all members of the congregation face hostility.
Death Threat Graffitied on the Façade of a Chapel
December 10, 2024, FranceA threatening message referencing the DZ Mafia was discovered on the façade of a historic chapel in Marseille. The words said “You are all going to die, DZ Mafia,” raising concerns about a broader pattern of anti-Christian hostility.
Church walls defaced with graffiti
December 9, 2024, GermanyBetween December 6-9, unknown perpetrators defaced the facade of a facade of the Catholic community center St. Christophorus with graffiti. The white graffiti defaced both the north and west sides of the church building.
Figure stolen from nativity scene, damage caused
December 8, 2024, SpainSeven youths were reported in Santa Coloma for trying to steal the figure of the Virgin Mary from the municipal nativity scene at 4am on 8 December, causing damage. They fled after being surprised by the Town Hall guard and the night watchmen, but were identified a short time later in Sant Carles street.
Church window deliberately smashed
December 8, 2024, United KingdomBetween 6am and 8am on December 23, a church window was deliberately smashed, causing damage to the property at a Baptist Church in Poole. An investigation has been launched.
Clergy and Parishioners Threatened with severe Aggression
December 8, 2024, FrancePriests and parishioners at Saint-Joseph Church in Creil were subjected to death threats, attempted arson, and verbal intimidation by drug traffickers operating near the parish.
Minors Devastate Church
December 7, 2024, GermanyAn 11-year-old and a 16-year-old caused a riot in a church in Bisingen in the Zollernalb district on 7 December, causing property damage of around 3,000 euros. They damaged a vase, antique candlesticks, plants and plant pots, and scattered books on the floor. Sheet music was scattered on the floor, the Advent wreath was knocked over and everything was lying around. The damage is estimated at 3000€, said a police spokesman.
Church walls and a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalised in Moissac
December 7, 2024, FranceOn the night of 7 January, unknown persons vandalised the walls of the Catholic church of La Mégère and a public statue of the Virgin Mary. The vandals sprayed several offensive inscriptions on both sites. The police are now investigating.
Church in Bordeaux Vandalised Once Again
December 3, 2024, FranceAs reported on December 3, the Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux suffered significant damage after a burglary and vandalism estimated at 10,000 euros, with a safe broken and stained glass windows behind the high altar damaged. In June, the church was tagged during a feminist march in the Gironde.
Desecration in Naples: Man urinates inside church
December 2, 2024, ItalyOn 2 December 2024, a case of desecration was reported at the Church of San Ferdinando, located in Piazza Trieste e Trento in Naples. Surveillance footage revealed that a male tourist entered the church, concealed himself behind the interior entrance door of the nativity scene room, and urinated inside the premises. The act was allegedly carried out with the assistance of a female companion, who acted as a lookout.
Church Façade Targeted in Night of Vandalism in Naples
December 1, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 1–2 December 2024, a group of unidentified vandals caused extensive damage in the Chiaia district of Naples. They threw potted plants and vases at the façade of the Church of Santa Caterina da Siena. T
Acid instead of wine in the chalice
December 1, 2024, ItalyThe Sunday mass in the church of Sant'Andrea on 1 December ended in hospital for a priest in the northern Italian community of Zignago - there was acid in the chalice instead of wine. The mass was interrupted and the congregation called the emergency services.
Vandalism of religious symbols in church
November 28, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.
Theft and desecration of Orthodox church in Trento
November 28, 2024, ItalyOn 28 November 2024, an Orthodox church in Vicolo San Marco, Italy, was broken into and desecrated. The perpetrators stole cash, religious items, and Christmas gifts before defecating in the sacristy. Police are investigating the incident.
Christmas lights inside church damaged
November 27, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have damaged the Christmas tree lights in the Catholic church in Hochstadt am Main. They destroyed candles and the lights.
Theft and desecration of religious statue
November 26, 2024, PolandA 27-year-old man, who stole a statue of Mary from a chapel in the local church in Nowe Worowo, has been charged. He confessed the theft and public desecration of the sacred object.
Threats to Set Fire to Church
November 26, 2024, ItalyOn 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.
Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church
November 25, 2024, SpainOn the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.
Repeated Vandalism in the Saint-Denys basilica in Argenteuil
November 25, 2024, FranceThe Saint-Denys basilica has been the target of several acts of vandalism since September. In the latest incident, two youths entered the Argenteuil basilica through a back door shouting "Allah Akbar". Police presence around the building has been increased. In September, the presbytery was damaged by vulgar graffiti. Two months later, a Latin cross at the entrance to the same building was damaged and partially stolen.
Two teens arrested for church vandalism causing £15,000 of damage
November 24, 2024, United KingdomTwo teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of causing more than £15,000 of damage to the Grade II listed St Margaret's Church in Bowers Gifford on 24 November. It was the second time in a month that the church had been vandalised.
Cross demolished at Sehnde church
November 24, 2024, GermanyIn the night of November 24, a grave cross at the Cross Church in Sehnde was desecrated and the lighting of the church was demolished
"Atheist" spray-painted on San Lorenzo Facade in Seville
November 24, 2024, SpainA large anarchist symbol and the word “Atheist” were spray-painted on the San Lorenzo church façade.
Consecrated Host Theft in Seville School Chapel
November 24, 2024, SpainUnidentified intruders broke into a school chapel, desecrated the tabernacle, and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts.
46 Tombs Destroyed
November 23, 2024, PolandOn the night of 23 November, a massive act of vandalism took place in Krosno Odrzańskie (Lubuskie Province). A total of 46 gravestones were damaged or broken and some graves were opened.
Disturbance of Mass in Esenta
November 23, 2024, ItalyDuring Mass on 23 November in the parish of Saints Marco and Bernardino, Esenta, some boys entered the church shouting repeated blasphemies and insults in the presence of the faithful, and then quickly ran away. For several weeks, vandalism has been reported in the cemetery in the area, where citizens have found various damages to ornaments and decorations in the masonry along the paths.
Church in Châteaulin Vandalised
November 20, 2024, FranceExcrement on the floor, overturned flower vases and dirty tablecloths. This is what members of the Saint-Idunet parish in Châteaulin (Brittany) discovered when they entered their church on 20 November. A Easter candle had also been stolen.
Vandalised church in Bodenwöhr
November 19, 2024, GermanyOn the weekend of 18-19 November, the Church of St Mary (Marienkirche Blechhammer) in Bodenwöhr was robbed and vandalised by unknown persons. The rosaries on display were stolen or thrown into the holy water basin and the altar candles were thrown to the ground. Various other items were scattered around the church. The police are investigating.
Spanish Court Condemns male-only religious brotherhood for refusing woman
November 19, 2024, SpainSpain’s Constitutional Court has ruled against a male-only religious brotherhood for refusing to admit a woman, declaring that the association’s internal statutes violate the Spanish Constitution. While framed as a non-discrimination decision, the judgment raises broader concerns about state intervention in the internal affairs of religious associations—particularly regarding their right to determine membership criteria in accordance with their beliefs and traditions.
Fire set in Walldorf Church
November 15, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons threw several burning strips of paper into the basement of the Walldorf church.
French TV channel fined for presenting abortion as cause of death
November 13, 2024, FranceOn 13th November the French Communications Authority (Arcom) fined a television channel €100,000 for presenting abortion as the "first cause of death" during a Catholic programme.
Terrorist arrested for planning attack on Cathedral
November 11, 2024, RussiaIn July 2024, security forces prevented a planned terrorist attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral, an Orthodox church in Maikop, Republic of Adygea. The suspect, an 18-year-old supporter of the Islamic State (IS), was arrested before he could carry out the attack. On 11 November, the Maikop City Court extended his pre-trial detention until 11 January 2025.
Statue of Mary destroyed
November 10, 2024, ItalyA statue of Mary outside the local cemetery in Pievesestina, Cesena, has been smashed to pieces.
Pepper spray attack during mass in Prato
November 10, 2024, ItalyUnknown people entered the church of Santa Maria al Soccorso during Sunday mass and sprayed a pungent substance with pepper spray. The parish priest had to interrupt the service and finish celebrating mass outside. The perpetrators have fled.
Priest dies after being physically attacked by robber
November 9, 2024, PolandA Catholic priest in Poland succumbed to serious injuries in the hospital on November 9 - six days after the physical attack in his parish of St. Albert by the 27-year-old man from Szczytno. The male suspect in this case is in custody, charged with attempted murder. The clergyman was attacked for the purpose of a robbery.
Monk Dies After Attack on a Monastery
November 9, 2024, SpainA 76-year-old friar died of a head injury and six others were injured when beaten with sticks and bottles by a 46-year-old man who jumped over the fence of the Catholic monastery in Gilet, shouting anti-Christian threats and insults. Three victims, aged 57, 66, and 95, were hospitalised with trauma and bruising.
Church forced to close after vandalism with fire extinguisher
November 9, 2024, FranceThe church of Saint-Léger has been closed since unknown persons emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building, causing serious damage to the furniture. Following this act, which took place on 9 November, the local mayor immediately expressed his desire to have the church cleaned as soon as possible so that the parishioners could celebrate Christmas in this sacred building.
Pilgrims in Navarre Faced Assault and Anti-Christian Insults
November 9, 2024, SpainLatin American pilgrims participating in the Javierada in Navarre faced verbal and physical aggression from nationalist youths, prompting calls for official protection and accountability.
Altar tablecloth set on fire in Schweinfurt church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn November 8, a Tablecloth in the evangelical Church "Am Glockenhof" was set on fire in the afternoon. The fire burned the tablecloth and the diary on it. The damage caused is approximately 80 euros.
Fires set in Küssaberg church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn 8 November, an unknown perpetrator has set several small fires in a church in Küssaberg (Waldshut district). Witnesses discovered the flames and alerted the emergency services.