All cases
Man Insults Worshippers During Mass Commemoration in Gliwice
April 10, 2025, PolandA man entered the sanctuary area of a church in Gliwice, verbally abusing worshippers and using anti-Catholic insults. The incident disrupted a religious commemoration and involved actions perceived as desecration within the church.
Bible set alight on wooden altar
April 10, 2025, GermanyA Bible was set alight with a match in the Protestant church in Groß-Gerau. It was on the wooden altar, but did not burn down completely.
Protestant schools in France excluded from Erasmus+
April 10, 2025, FranceIn a written question to the European Commission, Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen raised concerns over France’s exclusion of private schools—including Protestant and Montessori institutions—from the EU’s Erasmus+ student mobility programme. He questioned how this policy aligns with the programme’s stated commitment to inclusivity for both public and private educational institutions. In its response on 10 April, the European Commission reaffirmed that Erasmus+ is designed to be inclusive. However, it ultimately placed responsibility on national authorities, stating that France is within its rights to define eligibility criteria for participation.
Statue of Saint Damaged Outside Church in Swobnica
April 8, 2025, PolandDuring the night of 7–8 April, vandals A statue of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus was knocked over and damaged outside a church in Swobnica, West Pomerania.. The statue was overturned and broken, shocking the local community.
Vandals damage several churches in Odenwald region
April 8, 2025, GermanyIn the Odenwald region, several churches were attacked by vandals. At a church in Schweinberg, the stucco decoration on the high altar was broken off and thrown to the ground. Vandals also left cigarette butts and damaged collection boxes.
Religious statue damaged
April 8, 2025, GermanyIn Salzgitter-Bad, unknown vandals caused damage to a local church. A statue of Mary, part of a group of holy figures, was removed and the wall damaged.
Swastika Carved into Church Door
April 8, 2025, GermanyIn Coburg, unknown perpetrators carved a swastika into the copper front door of the Protestant Church of St John. The church's showcase was also damaged. Police are investigating the case as criminal damage and the use of unconstitutional symbols and have appealed for witnesses.
Swastika Carved into Church Door in Coburg
April 8, 2025, GermanyA church in Coburg was vandalised with two swastikas and the neo-Nazi code "88" carved into its entrance door.
500-year-old altar damaged
April 7, 2025, GermanyOn 7 April, a vandal broke into the historic Abbey Church in Öhringen and seriously damaged the church's 500-year-old wooden high altar. The unknown offender broke off and destroyed the sword from a figure of the Apostle Paul and stole a valuable altar cloth.
Mass Disrupted by Pro-Palestinian Activist in Toulouse Basilica
April 6, 2025, FranceA Mass in Toulouse was disrupted when an individual entered the sanctuary area and delivered a pro-Palestinian political message during the service. The incident interrupted the religious celebration. According to a report, he was filmed by "supporters" who entered the church as well.
Church defaced with anti-Israeli graffiti
April 6, 2025, GermanyUnknown persons had written anti-Israeli graffiti on a window in the entrance area of a church in Neukölln, Berlin. Further investigation was taken over by the State Security Police.
Fire in church: Police suspect arson
April 6, 2025, GermanyUnknown persons have apparently attempted to set fire to the grounds of a church on Harffer Strasse in Neuss-Erfttal. According to initial findings, a wooden flowerpot was set alight inside the church building.
Anti-Religious Graffiti Appears on Church Wall in Göttingen
April 5, 2025, GermanyAnti-religious graffiti was sprayed on a church in Göttingen, targeting the building with an ideological message about religion.
Man Harasses Worshippers in Church in Eboli and Attacks Officers
April 5, 2025, ItalyA man entered a church in Eboli and harassed the faithful during evening prayers by aggressively demanding money. The police had to intervene.
Church Windows Broken in Vandalism in Thorembais-les-Béguines
April 5, 2025, BelgiumA church in Thorembais-les-Béguines was vandalised, with several stained-glass windows deliberately broken. The incident affected the structure of the church and prompted a police investigation.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalised in Mhère
April 5, 2025, FranceA man was observed vandalising a statue of the Virgin Mary situated at a roadside calvary in the hamlet of Enfert. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM and was witnessed by a local resident. The perpetrator appeared to be recording himself during the act. The event has left the local community shocked and concerned.
Christian woman convicted for holding sign "here to talk if you want"
April 4, 2025, United KingdomA 63-year-old Christian woman, Livia Tossici-Bolt, has been convicted for breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by holding a sign that read "here to talk, if you want" near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. This case raises significant concerns about the impact of such orders on religious freedom and the right to free expression.
Thousands in Damages Every Month
April 4, 2025, GermanyChurches in Cologne's city centre, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, are regularly targeted by vandals, causing thousands of euros in damage each month. Dr Dominik Meiering, the leading priest for Cologne's inner city, expressed concern about the repeated desecration, theft and graffiti, describing it as a serious burden on the Church and a threat to its public mission.
Vandals destroy shrine and cut off arms of Jesus statue
April 3, 2025, PolandUnknown perpetrators desecrated a religious site on the roadside between the villages of Podlesie and Sławno, destroying a statue of the Mary, tearing the body of a Jesus figure from the cross and breaking off its arms and damaging a painting of the Passion. The incident caused outrage among the locals.
Church crosses destroyed in Paternò
April 2, 2025, ItalyOn 2 April 2025, vandals destroyed two large crosses outside the Chiesa Madre in Paternò, Sicily. The attack follows other recent incidents in the same town, including an attempted theft of a sacred painting and verbal abuse during a Christian procession, raising serious concerns about growing hostility towards the local Christian community.
Repeated urine, faeces and riots in Mainz churches
April 1, 2025, GermanyIn recent weeks, several churches in Mainz have suffered serious acts of vandalism, including the desecration of holy water with urine and the destruction of confessional doors. These incidents have deeply distressed local clergy and parishioners, and have led to discussions about possible church closures to prevent further offences.
Church walls defaced with Swastika
April 1, 2025, GermanyBetween 30 March and 1 April, unknown persons sprayed graffiti on the walls of St Martin's Church in Hermeskeil. The graffiti included a swastika on the outside of the church.
Man smashes church windows and attacks priest
March 31, 2025, GreeceIn Volos, Greece, a man vandalised a local church by smashing its windows before attacking a hieromonk, striking him multiple times. The incident has deeply unsettled the local clergy and parishioners.
Finnish Couple Convicted for Private Prayer
March 31, 2025, FinlandOn 31 March 2025, a Finnish court convicted an elderly Christian couple of “assault” after praying with a young man about issues relating to sexuality. Despite the fact that the prayers were non-coercive and the young man had sought the support and participated in the prayers on his own initiative, the court upheld his claim that the prayers had caused psychological harm. The judgment—believed to be the first of its kind in Finland—has raised concerns about the application of criminal law to religiously motivated pastoral care and its potential implications for freedom of religion or belief.
Relic Busts Stolen from Church in Guémené-sur-Scorff in Repeated Theft
March 30, 2025, FranceTwo reliquary busts were stolen from a church in Guémené-sur-Scorff, marking the second theft targeting religious objects at the site within one month. The incident affected items of both religious and historical significance.
Desecration of crosses at the sanctuary
March 30, 2025, SpainOn the night of 29-30 March, vandals destroyed two crosses near the Sanctuary of St Michael in Aralar, in the Spanish Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela. This is the second attack on the site in recent months.
Hateful Messages and Damage of Church Logo at Sestao Church
March 27, 2025, SpainUnknown individuals placed offensive stickers on the entrance of the Evangelical Church of Cuerpo de Cristo in Sestao, Vizcaya, displaying anti-Semitic messages and a swastika. The vandals also targeted the church's emblem, which contained Jewish symbols.
Vandalism in church
March 26, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals entered the church on Wieslocher Straße and caused significant damage. Among other things, a plate of holy water was smashed, a microphone and its stand were knocked over, and the glass panel on the confessional door was broken. The intruders also removed a pipe from the organ and placed it on the altar. The unknown individuals then fled the church undetected.
Attempt to Ram Church Door with Vehicle in Borno
March 23, 2025, ItalyUnknown perpetrators attempted to force entry into a church in Borno by ramming the main entrance with a vehicle. The act directly targeted the church building but caused only limited damage.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Hranice
March 23, 2025, Czech RepublicA man stole approximately 80 consecrated hosts from a church in Hranice. The incident caused shock among parishioners present at the church.
Man Damages Statue and Sets Fire to Church in Spilt
March 22, 2025, CroatiaOn 22 March 2025, in the church of St. Dominic in Split, a man damaged a statue and then started a fire on the candle stand with a gas lighter which caught fire when it was left on a candle, and the flame spread to the plastic candle holders on the stand. He is also suspected of stealing a metal gas bottle from a cupboard in the church.
Retired pastor faces trial for public worship service near abortion clinic
March 21, 2025, United KingdomClive Johnston, a retired pastor in Northern Ireland is facing trial for holding an open-air Christian service near an abortion clinic, raising serious concerns about the impact of so-called ‘buffer zone’ laws on religious freedom and freedom of expression.
Serious episodes of vandalism: Easter candle soiled with excrement
March 20, 2025, GermanySeveral churches in the Kraichgau region have recently suffered damage. Kürnbach has been the victim of vandalism twice - someone relieved himself and damaged candles and the altar bible. In Zaisenhausen, six windows were smashed with stones. In Bretten-Büchig the organ was covered with a sticky liquid.
Marian Statue and Church Window Damaged in Dornburg-Langendernbach
March 19, 2025, GermanyA Marian statue and a church window were damaged in an act of vandalism in Dornburg-Langendernbach.
Tabernacle Desecrated and Eucharist Stolen
March 17, 2025, SpainA church in Arroyo de la Encomienda was desecrated after perpetrators opened the tabernacle and stole consecrated hosts. The act has been strongly condemned by the Archdiocese of Valladolid and has affected the wider Catholic community.
Elderly Priest Assaulted and Robbed in Cambrai
March 17, 2025, FranceA 96-year-old priest in Cambrai was violently assaulted, tied up, and robbed in his presbytery. Four suspects have since been arrested and are facing charges including aggravated violence, unlawful detention, and the theft of both personal and religious items.
Court dismisses case against Christian preacher prosecuted for criticising Islam
March 14, 2025, United KingdomOn 12 March, a British court found Christian street preacher Karandeep Mamman not guilty of "causing religious harassment, alarm or distress" after he publicly criticised the Koran during a street sermon in January 2023. Listeners also reacted aggressively to him, threatening to beat him up and ''cut his throat'' and only letting him go after police arrived.
Wayside cross damaged
March 13, 2025, GermanyUnknown offenders have desecrated a cross on a footpath and cycle path near Haar, east of Munich. The left arm of the crucified Jesus was torn off and half a foot was chopped off.
Serious episode of desecration
March 12, 2025, ItalyUnknown assailants broke into the Church of St Paul the Apostle in Borgo Nuovo during the night, ransacked the parish and stole the chalice and the pyx containing the consecrated hosts.
Teenagers commit crimes in church
March 10, 2025, GermanyIn Quedlinburg, a trio of teenagers threw stones at a man at St. Benedict's Church. The church door was damaged. The man also observed one of the teenagers drawing a swastika in the guest book.
Church in Brittany vandalised twice in two weeks
March 10, 2025, FranceVandalism and burglaries have been reported in Treffiagat-Léchiagat, France. The church of Notre-Dame des Flots has been attacked twice since the beginning of March. The damage to the religious building was shocking to the faithful: smashed candles, torn liturgical books, overturned pews, broken vases and more.
Acid attack on Christian café: 15 attacks since July 2024
March 10, 2025, GermanyThe Café "Stay" of an evangelical free church in Leipzig has been attacked with butyric acid. The perpetrators probably poured acid into the coffee shop through the keyhole of the entrance door. The owners had to call the fire brigade. The perpetrators are suspected to be left-wing extremists. This is the 15th attack on the Christian café since July 2024.
Historic Gravestone Cross Destroyed in Repeat Vandalism at Baldock Churchyard
March 10, 2025, United KingdomA historic gravestone cross was knocked over and destroyed in a churchyard in Baldock, marking a second vandalism incident within a year. The damage affected burial memorials of long-standing significance to the local community.
Statue Profanation in Saint-Denis
March 10, 2025, FranceAn act of profanation targeting a religious statue was reported in Saint-Denis, leading to police arrests shortly afterwards. The perpetrators had also posted the act on social media.
Church Vandalised and Eucharistic Vessel Taken
March 9, 2025, ItalyUnknown persons broke into the church of Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesù in Battipaglia. They overturned candles, damaged offertories and a broken glass in the sacristy, but stole only a small case used by extraordinary ministers to bring the Eucharist to the sick.
Altar cloth set on fire
March 8, 2025, ItalyUnknown persons set fire to the cloth covering the main altar of the church of San Francesco, the sanctuary of San Nicola Greco. The cause of the crime is still unknown, although there has been a lot of vandalism in the city in recent weeks.
Gravestones at Churchyard in Maidstone Targeted with Swastikas
March 8, 2025, United KingdomAt least six swastikas were etched into gravestones at a churchyard in Maidstone, targeting burial sites associated with a Christian place of worship. The incident prompted an investigation by local authorities.
Repeated vandalism seals church doors with cement in Loimil.
March 7, 2025, SpainA church in Loimil was targeted in a repeated act of vandalism in which doors were sealed with cement.
Racist Harassment of Priest and Vandalism Reported at Parish in Dragona
March 4, 2025, ItalyA parish in Rome has reported a series of incidents involving vandalism, blasphemy, and the disruption of church activities, culminating in the racist harassment of a priest. The church has now restricted access to the premises.
Church closed outside service due to repeated vandalism
March 3, 2025, ItalyThe Parish of the Santissimi Petro e Giacomo Apostoli has decided to close the Church of San Giacomo, in Via Roma, except during liturgical celebrations due to increasing vandalism. The church has repeatedly had flower pots, offerings and stations of the cross stolen, as well as the figure of Jesus from the nativity scene and excrement behind the altar.