All cases
Desecration at Les Sables‑d’Olonne Church: Reliquary Broken and Saint’s Skull Stolen
December 18, 2025, FranceA break‑in at Notre‑Dame‑de‑l’Assomption resulted in the theft of a revered relic, prompting condemnation from parish and city officials.
UPDATE: Woman criminally charged for silent prayer
December 17, 2025, United KingdomBritish charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been criminally charged in Birmingham under the UK’s new national abortion “buffer zone” law for silently praying near an abortion facility, with her trial scheduled for 29 January 2026. This is the first known prosecution under the Public Order Act 2023, highlighting tensions between public-order regulations and freedom of conscience.
Polish Student Linked to ISIS Arrested for Planning Attack on Christmas Market
December 16, 2025, PolandAuthorities detained a Polish university student accused of preparing an ISIS‑inspired explosive attack on a Christmas market.
Estonia’s Actions Threaten Religious Freedom, Warn UN Experts
December 15, 2025, EstoniaUN human rights experts have raised alarm over legislative and administrative measures in Estonia that target the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC). They warned that these actions—ranging from legal amendments to restrictive treatment of clergy—could disproportionately limit religious freedom.
Swastika Carved Into Evangelical Church Facade
December 14, 2025, GermanyPolice opened a criminal investigation after unknown perpetrators etched a Nazi symbol into the wall of a church in Lower Saxony.
Blood Found on Altar in Church Desecration
December 13, 2025, ItalyA desecration of the Church of the Angel in Camaiore involved blood traces on the altar, misuse of sacred objects, and prompted both police investigation and a call for reparation by the Archdiocese of Lucca.
Leicestershire Church Stained Glass Panels Smashed in Vandalism
December 13, 2025, United KingdomHistoric St Mary’s Church in Coleorton, Leicestershire suffered costly damage when unknown perpetrators smashed two of its stained glass panels in what police and clergy described as “mindless vandalism”.
Holy Water Font Desecrated with Urine
December 12, 2025, GermanyA holy water font at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Burladingen was deliberately filled with urine in an act of targeted desecration shocking parishioners and clergy. The parish priest called the act "a slap in the face of a believer."
Five Suspects Arrested in Alleged Islamist Plot Against Bavarian Christmas Market
December 12, 2025, GermanyGerman authorities have detained five men in Bavaria accused of planning a radical Islamist–motivated vehicle attack on a Christmas market. Investigators say the plot was disrupted at an early stage through coordinated action by security services.
Dismissal of Teacher Sparks Debate on Religious Expression in UK Schools
December 9, 2025, United KingdomA UK primary school teacher was suspended in March 2024 and later dismissed after telling a Muslim student that “Britain is still a Christian state,” citing the King as head of the Church of England and describing Islam as a minority religion. The teacher, who had also allegedly suggested the student could attend a nearby Islamic school if they preferred a religious setting, faced both police and safeguarding investigations. Although he was initially banned from working with children, he successfully appealed the decision and is now pursuing legal action against.
Prayer Outside Abortion Clinic Protected by Law, Spanish Court Rules
December 9, 2025, SpainA criminal court in Vitoria, Basque Country, has acquitted 21 pro‑life volunteers accused of harassment for praying peacefully outside an abortion clinic, ruling that they had “done nothing more than exercise their free right of assembly” and behaved in an “exquisitely peaceful manner.” The court found no evidence of intimidating conduct under the penal code’s anti‑harassment provision.
European Commission excludes FAFCE and WYA from Funding
December 8, 2025, InternationalThe European Commission has excluded the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) and the World Youth Alliance (WYA) from EU funding after rejecting multiple project applications, citing alleged violations of equality measures and “EU values.” FAFCE’s president describes the decisions as ideological discrimination, arguing that they penalise organisations that support families, children and human dignity while holding pro-life convictions.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Targets the Basilica of Carmine in Florence
December 8, 2025, ItalyIn Florence, black spray-painted graffiti stating “The only church that enlightens is the one that burns” and featuring the anarchist circled “A” appeared on the construction coverings of the Carmine Basilica.
Suspected Arson at Bologna Church
December 8, 2025, ItalyAuthorities in Bologna investigated a fire at the Santuario in via del Borgo San Pietro, where flames engulfed the hedges surrounding the Catholic Church’s garden, prompting suspicions of arson.
Church Nativity Desecrated and Parishioners Threatened
December 8, 2025, SpainPolice detained a man after he disrupted a Catholic service by removing nativity figures, striking the altar, profaning liturgical garments, shouting in Arabic through the church microphone, and attempting to attack parishioners before being restrained outside.
France’s Catholic Schools Under Abusive State Scrutiny
December 8, 2025, FranceBased on a report, Catholic schools in France are facing state inspections criticised as abusive and humiliating. Teachers reported unannounced classroom visits, students being questioned about their faith, and pressure to remove Christian symbols, all of which undermine the schools’ Catholic identity. Catholic education authorities warn that these practices violate both educator dignity and parents’ right to provide religious education.
Baroque Church Statues Vandalised
December 7, 2025, GermanyStone sculptures at the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche and Hildesheimer Dom were damaged, with facial features deliberately broken.
Church Vandalised with Wax Swastikas
December 5, 2025, GermanyTwo wax-smeared swastikas were discovered on the interior wall of a Lutheran church in Seligenstadt.
Priest's Car Set on Fire Weeks after Church Vandalism
December 4, 2025, ItalyAn arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.
Left-Wing Extremists Attack Church Over Anti-Abortion Stance
December 3, 2025, GermanyRadical activists smashed windows and spray-painted “218 abtreiben” on the Free Evangelical Church Kassel-Ost, citing its support for unborn life as the motive.
Church Nativity Figures Vandalised
December 3, 2025, SpainActs of vandalism targeted Christmas decorations at Villar de Olalla, damaging religious symbols and prompting a municipal appeal for information.
Arson Attack at Fonsorbes Church
December 3, 2025, FranceTwo altar cloths were set on fire inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Fonsorbes, Occitania, with straw from the Christmas nativity scene reportedly moved to fuel the flames.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Plasencia Hospital Chapel
December 3, 2025, SpainA theft took place at the Hospital Virgen del Puerto in Plasencia in early December 2025, when several consecrated hosts were reported missing from the chapel’s tabernacle.
Termini Chapel Closed After Reported Altar Desecration
December 2, 2025, ItalyThe Chapel at Termini Station in Rome was closed after a man was reported to have urinated on the altar. The closure is deprived the community of access.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Found on Church in Marseille
December 2, 2025, FranceGraffiti with hateful anti-Christian slogans, including phrases like “The only church that shines is the one that burns”, was discovered on the Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine des Chartreux, prompting condemnation from city officials, police, and church leaders, and leading to formal complaints and calls for justice.
Cabinet Set on Fire Inside Church
December 2, 2025, ItalyA woman discovered flames and smoke inside the parish church of Sedico. Police are suspecting an arson by vandals who targeted the building.
Protestant Church in Erbach Vandalised and Desecrated
November 30, 2025, GermanyA Protestant church in Erbach was vandalised and desecrated. The incident involved damage to church property and degrading acts inside the building.
Nativity struck again: Baby Jesus’ head stolen at Brussels Grand Place
November 29, 2025, BelgiumFor yet another year, vandals have targeted the Christmas nativity scene at Brussels’ Grand Place, stealing the head of the baby Jesus figurine.
Palestine Flags Placed on Vienna’s Votive Church Without Approval
November 29, 2025, AustriaAnti-Israel demonstrators scaled the towers of Vienna's Votive Church and placed Palestinian flags on the spire. The Archdiocese condemned the incident, hired a crew to remove the flags, and announced that they may take legal action.
Two Churches and Christmas Marked Vandalised with “Allah” Graffiti
November 29, 2025, GermanyTwo churches, a parish facility, and other buildings in Delmenhorst were vandalised with red paint. The graffiti included the word “Allah” written in Arabic script.
Church Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Threats
November 28, 2025, GermanyThe St. Salvatoris Parish in Geesthacht (Schleswig-Holstein) had to cancel the annual Christmas market after receiving a threatening letter. Police are investigating the threats.
Pro-Palestinian Protest Disrupted Brussels Christmas Market Opening
November 28, 2025, BelgiumThe launch of Brussels’ Winter Wonders Christmas market was interrupted when demonstrators set off smoke bombs, waved Palestinian flags, and unsettled families.
Arson Attack at Laindon Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomAuthorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.
Two Attempted Arson Attacks at St Giles Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomThe Anglican and Methodist Church of St Giles was twice targeted by arson when rubbish was set on fire at its entrances—causing damage to the church door and prompting police appeals for information.
Monaco Bars Swiss Evangelist Over Public Cross
November 27, 2025, MonacoSwiss evangelist Stephan Maag, known for walking across Europe with a 40 kg cross to speak about his faith, was detained by police in Monaco, placed in a cell and expelled from the state. Authorities told him that public religious expression was “only allowed inside buildings, but not on public property,” but offered no written explanation and said the orders came “from above.”
Altar Statues Deliberately Damaged
November 26, 2025, ItalyAuthorities detained a 55-year-old man in Parabiago after he entered a parish church and toppled statues on the altar.
Amiens Christmas Market Nativity Scene Vandalised
November 26, 2025, FranceThe nativity scene at the Christmas market in Amiens was vandalised during the night of 25-26 November 2025: several statuettes — including the figure of the infant Jesus — were broken, leading to public indignation and closure of the display.
Desecration of Bodies and Tombs at Catholic Cemetery in Alhos Vedros
November 26, 2025, PortugalTen bodies were desecrated after mausoleums were broken into at a Catholic cemetery in Portugal. While cemetery vandalism had occurred before, the parish priest said that this incident was of an unprecedented scale. The local bishop condemned the act as a “sacrilegious gesture”.
Desecration of Ostia Church with Human Excrement
November 25, 2025, ItalyUnidentified vandals defiled the Church of San Nicola di Bari in Ostia by leaving human excrement inside the building, including on the altar, leading the Diocese of Rome to announce a Mass of Reparation.
Cathedral Prayer Book Desecrated with Insults and Blasphemies
November 25, 2025, ItalyA prayer book near the relics of Blessed Maria Raffaella Cimatti in Alatri was defaced with insults and blasphemies.
Christian Lecturer Cancelled due to Student Protests
November 25, 2025, GermanyA scheduled lecture by the habilitated philosopher Sebastian Ostritsch at Hochschule für Philosophie München was cancelled two days before the event. Student protests and pressure on university management resulted in cancelling the planned discussion of classical proofs for God’s existence.
Street Preacher Plans Court Case Over Repeated Arrests
November 24, 2025, United KingdomShaun O’Sullivan, a UK Christian preacher, arrested 16 times and acquitted each time, now plans to challenge the repeated prosecutions in court as he believes he is being targeted for proclaiming the gospel.
Chapel Vandalized with Racist Graffiti and Symbols
November 22, 2025, ItalyMasked vandals defaced the Santa Lucia chapel in Pianella with racist and vulgar graffiti, prompting police investigation and municipal condemnation.
Vallecas Attacker Who Stabbed Three Said His Mission Was to Kill Christians
November 22, 2025, SpainAn 18-year-old in Vallecas stabbed three people and reportedly told his mother his mission was to kill Christians, leading authorities to investigate possible terrorism.
UK street preacher Dia Moodley remains under investigation after November arrest in Bristol
November 22, 2025, United KingdomChristian street preacher Dia Moodley remains under investigation following his arrest on 22 November 2025 in Bristol, in connection with his public preaching on topics including Christianity, other religions, and gender ideology. He was detained for around eight hours on suspicion of a religiously aggravated public order offence and later released under investigation, with no charging decision yet made.
Spanish Bishop Faces Investigation Over Remarks on Homosexuality
November 20, 2025, SpainMadrid’s Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation into José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, following remarks he made criticising a proposed ban on so-called “conversion therapy.” The bishop warned that the draft legislation could jeopardise the freedom of pastoral care offered to individuals with homosexual inclinations, in line with Catholic teaching. His statements, made during a Radio María broadcast, were reported as “hate speech” by a local NGO. Bishop Munilla has firmly rejected the accusation, stating that he merely criticised a government proposal and denounced the investigation as an attempt to intimidate the Church.
Vandalism Reported at Unused Derio Monastery Targets Religious Objects
November 20, 2025, SpainThe unused monastery of Derio in Bizkaia fell victim to an act of vandalism and desecration, when unknown perpetrators broke into the monastery and caused deliberate destruction of crucifixes, chalices, and religious paintings. The religious community emphasised that intruders went to break one by one the liturgical objects they found.
Tabernacle Stolen and Statue of Mary Damaged
November 19, 2025, SpainThieves broke into the Los Urrutias church in Cartagena, stole the tabernacle, and damaged the statue of the Virgin del Carmen, which they left in the streets.
Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar Torn Down
November 18, 2025, SpainOn the night of 18 November 2025, unknown individuals demolished the Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar, Gipuzkoa—an act now under police investigation. The cross, originally erected during Spain’s Franco regime, had sparked ongoing local tensions over the presence of religious symbols linked to the dictatorship, despite its historical recontextualisation.
Sacristan Assaulted Outside Paris’s Église de la Madeleine
November 18, 2025, FranceA parish employee was violently attacked after enforcing security rules near the historic church.