All cases
Deliberate Damage to Religious Statue
September 18, 2025, SpainThe statue of San Nicolás, a historic patron figure, was found vandalized, sparking concern in the local community in Algorta’s Puerto Viejo. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Vienna Church Restricts Access Following Series of Anti-Christian Vandalism Incidents
September 17, 2025, AustriaRepeated acts of vandalism—including the destruction of religious items and the creation of an improvised altar—have forced a Catholic church in Vienna to close most of its interior to the public.
Church in Hasnon Targeted in Break-In Involving Profanation and Theft of Sacred Vessels
September 17, 2025, FranceSaint‑Marcelin‑et‑Saint‑Pierre Church was broken into; the sacristy door and tabernacles were forced and several liturgical objects, including ciboria, calices and patens, were stolen. The incident has been described as profanation by church authorities.
Death Threat Forced Evangelical Church in Kempten to Cancel Public Worship
September 14, 2025, GermanyFollowing a death threat on TikTok, the Tabernacle Church in Kempten moved its worship indoors, citing safety concerns and growing anti-Christian sentiment.
Cross Sawn off the Dome of a Ukrainian Church in Poland
September 13, 2025, PolandVandals cut off the cross from the main dome of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Legnica, Poland, and damaged its roof, right before the Christian feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Ukraine’s ambassador demanded that Polish authorities investigate and punish those responsible.
Man vandalises church altar and assaults priest during Mass in Mieścisko
September 13, 2025, PolandA 47-year-old man disrupted a Sunday Mass at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Mieścisko, where he vandalised the altar, broke a cross, and verbally and physically confronted the priest. The police detained the man and confirmed that he was intoxicated at the time of the attack.
Man Threatens Priest and Vandalises Altar in Attack During Mass
September 12, 2025, PolandDuring a Mass in Mieścisko in Wielkopolska, a 47‑year‑old man stormed the altar, insulted the priest, destroyed a cross and scattered liturgical vessels. Police authorities opened an investigation against the man who was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the attack. He is being charged with malicious interference with religious worship.
Painting of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus Defaced with Offensive Graffiti
September 11, 2025, SpainA painting of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus in the Hermitage of La Malena was defaced with disturbing graffiti, including satanic symbols and caricatures. A formal complaint has been filed by Abogados Cristianos.
Repeated Damage Forces Saint-Jean Church to Close
September 11, 2025, FranceOn 11 September 2025 a group of young people entered the Église Saint-Jean in Châteaudun and emptied its fire extinguishers, causing extensive damage and prompting the managing association and the town to close the church after earlier intrusions and thefts.
Iraqi Christian Killed in Lyon While Livestreaming Faith
September 10, 2025, FranceA disabled Iraqi Christian who fled ISIS persecution, was fatally stabbed in Lyon while livestreaming his religious testimony on TikTok, prompting outrage and calls for justice amid rising anti-Christian violence in France.
Feces Thrown at Frescoes in Rome’s Santa Maria degli Angeli Basilica
September 9, 2025, ItalyA 60-year-old woman of Austrian origin was reported for defacing sacred property after throwing feces at frescoes and prayer benches inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome. The artworks were protected by plexiglass and remained undamaged.
Statue of Mary Set on Fire During Mass
September 8, 2025, FranceA fire broke out in the oratory of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours in Guingamp during a Monday mass, partially burning a statue of the Virgin and Child. While investigations have not yet confirmed the origin, the local church association stated the act appeared deliberate, citing the absence of any heat source near the statue and the repeated targeting of the church with arson attacks.
Historic Church in Ponte di Piave Targeted by Serial Vandalism and Desecration
September 8, 2025, ItalyRotten meat left at the altar, sacred statues defaced, and a fire narrowly extinguished—months of escalating desecration forced the closure of a historic church in Ponte di Piave, now set to reopen under surveillance. The parish priest spoke of serious desecration and a sustained campaign against the church and its clergy.
Anti‑Clerical Messages Found on Málaga School
September 8, 2025, SpainA Catholic school in Málaga was vandalised with Nazi symbols and anti‑clerical graffiti, with some messages specifically targeteting the pupils and the religious sisters who run the school.
Public Iron Cross Torn Down
September 7, 2025, FranceA Christian cross located in Nice was forcibly removed and discarded during the night of September 6–7. The mayor condemned the act as an "unacceptable desecration."
Vandalism at Melsungen Church
September 6, 2025, GermanyUnidentified individuals damaged a baptismal candle and donation box inside the Melsungen city church, prompting police investigations. The church parish filed a criminal complaint due to multiple similar incidents occurring in the area.
Church Door Set on Fire in Arson Attack
September 5, 2025, GermanyA historic church in Wismar was targeted in a late-night arson attack, leaving its entrance severely damaged and prompting a police investigation.
Catholic Hermitage Vandalised
September 5, 2025, SpainThe hermitage of Santa Isabel in Canet lo Roig was subjected to an act of vandalism, during which its entrance was forcibly damaged, and a statue of St. Isabel was broken. The Mayor condemned the act, underlining the impact on the local community.
Three Religious Statues Damaged in Vandalism Attack
September 3, 2025, ItalyTwo separate waves of vandalism occured on the same day at San Rocco Church in Lodi. Three statues were damaged and a crucifix was thrown down but did not sustain any damage. The act followed similar attacks a few months ago and forces the parish to consider taking further security measures.
Vandalism at St. John’s Church in Backnang
September 3, 2025, GermanyOn 3 September 2025, an unknown individual attempted to break into donation boxes at a church in Backnang and then deliberately caused severe damage to the holy water basin and a religious statue inside the building. The incident involved both attempted theft and targeted vandalism, resulting in material damage.
Two Church Vandalisms in One Week
September 2, 2025, GermanyTwo consecutive incidents of vandalism at occurred at St. Benedikt Church in Herbern, Germany. Cushion were scorched and hymnals flung into the chandelier.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Found Outside Vienna Church
September 1, 2025, AustriaSmearings labeled with a derogatory term appeared on church property in Vienna.
Climate Activists Deface the Sagrada Familia
August 31, 2025, SpainEnvironmental activists defaced Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Família with red powder, marking the seventh reported attack on Catholic churches in Spain this August.
Dordogne Village Church Forced to Close After Vandalism and Theft
August 31, 2025, FranceThe Church of Saint-Martin was forced to close for one day after acts of theft and vandalism. The doors were forced open, the donation trunk was broken into, furniture was damaged, candles were deliberately scattered and burned on the floor, leaving marks and creating a potential fire hazard, and graffiti was found inside the church.
Religious statue beheaded in Cathedral
August 31, 2025, GermanyIn the Trier Cathedral, a renaissance apostle statue was beheaded and its head stolen. The incident prompting an investigation and concern over preservation of religious heritage.
Rocks Thrown at Bridgwater Baptist Church During Service
August 31, 2025, United KingdomDuring Sunday Worship at the Bridgwater Baptist Church, rocks thrown through church window. One person got hit by the falling glass and the congregation reported feeling unsafe.
Church in Germany Vandalised Twice in 24 Hours.
August 30, 2025, GermanyUnidentified vandals flooded the basement and defaced the entrance of Martini Church in Siegen on two consecutive nights, prompting a police investigation.
22 Consecrated Host Thefts and Church Desecrations in Landes
August 28, 2025, FranceBetween May and August 2025, over twenty churches in the Landes region were desecrated by the theft of consecrated Hosts and sacred vessels, prompting a formal investigation by the Dax prosecutor’s office. The deliberate and selective targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context and indicates elements beyond financial motivation.
Statue of Mary and Jesus Desecrated by Nazi Symbols
August 28, 2025, FranceA statue of the Virgin and Child was desecrated with swastikas and Hitler-like features—sparking outrage and calls for accountability in a community shaken by the attack.
Statue of Mary Burned inside Bobbio Church
August 28, 2025, ItalyA statue of the Mary was deliberately damaged with fire in the church of Santa Maria di Bobbio, prompting outrage and concern over escalating acts of sacrilege in the region.
Second Arson at Peine Church Within Two Months
August 27, 2025, GermanyA fire was deliberately set near the side entrance of the Church of the Holy Angels in Peine, marking the second such arson attack in two months and also following a cemetery desecration, prompting a state security investigation.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Taurianova in Second Theft Within Days
August 26, 2025, ItalyOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators targeted a church in Taurianova, where the tabernacle was desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context and occurred amid a second theft affecting the same parish within days.
Tabernacle Forced and Consecrated Host Stolen from Church in Bidache
August 26, 2025, FranceOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators forced open the tabernacle of a church in Bidache and stole a ciborium and a lunule containing a large consecrated host. The theft of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Excrements Smeared on Church Wall
August 24, 2025, ItalyThe historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.
Church vandalised with wax
August 24, 2025, GermanyA church in Beuren, Hochwald, was vandalised, including through the deliberate pouring of melted wax over seating. The incident caused damage to church property and created fire hazards inside the building.
Arson and Vandalism Desecrated Church in Panilleuse
August 23, 2025, FranceDuring the night of August 22–23, 2025, the church of Panilleuse was subjected to a serious act of vandalism. The altar was partially burned, and significant damage was inflicted, forcing the community to relocate the planned services.
Church Windows Smashed in Suspected Attempted Desecration in Palamós
August 23, 2025, SpainUnknown individuals climbed onto the roof of a church in Palamós and broke stained-glass windows in what local witnesses deemed as an attempted intrusion.
Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier
August 20, 2025, FranceA 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.
Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism
August 18, 2025, ItalyDue to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.
Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire
August 17, 2025, SpainOn 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.
Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass
August 16, 2025, FranceA suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.
300‑Year‑Old Outdoor Cross Destroyed by Sledgehammer
August 15, 2025, FranceA centuries‑old stone cross atop the Col de la Crouzette in Ariège was destroyed by sledgehammer attacks during the weekend of 15 August, sparking outrage among the local community.
Wooden Memorial Cross Stolen from Graveyard
August 14, 2025, United KingdomA wooden memorial cross engraved was stolen from a church graveyard in Broadhempston, causing deep distress to his family and prompting a police appeal.
Church in Mallorca Defaced with Offensive Graffiti
August 13, 2025, SpainThe parish of the Verge del Carme in Palma’s Santa Catalina neighbourhood was defaced with graffiti and offensive messages targeting the church.
Strange Ritual Altar Setup On Graves Bearing Crosses at Polish War Cemetery
August 13, 2025, PolandInstallation resembling a ritual altar was discovered on soldiers' graves at War Cemetery No. 91 in Gorlice, prompting outrage among locals and a police investigation into possible desecration and religious offense.
Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake
August 13, 2025, SwedenSweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.
20 Bomb Threat Calls Targeting Cordoba Cathedral
August 12, 2025, SpainA man was arrested in connection with a series of bomb threat calls to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Córdoba, Spain.
Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities
August 11, 2025, SpainJust days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.
Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyA recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.
Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyThe Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.