All cases
Altar Desecration and Attempted Theft at Church in Cittaducale
August 6, 2025, ItalyOn 8 August 2025, two individuals were reported for desecration and attempted theft at a church in Cittaducale. The incident involved degrading acts inside the church and repeated attempts to break into donation boxes.
Arson Attack at the Hermitage of Our Lady of Puerto Rico
August 6, 2025, SpainThe old hermitage in Puerto Escondido was damaged by an arson attack, which targeted a cross above its entrance door.
Satanic Graffiti Found on Church in Neuchâtel
August 4, 2025, SwitzerlandIn early August 2025, the Collegiate Church of Neuchâtel was vandalised with spray-painted slogans referencing Satanism, anti-capitalism, and pro-Intifada messages, and anti‑church sentiments. The church’s pastor condemned the act, stating, "There is truly a desire to attack this building. There are clearly messages against the Church and several satanic symbols."
Two Tabernacles Forced and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Thillois
August 3, 2025, FranceBetween 2 and 3 August 2025, unknown perpetrators forced open two tabernacles at a church in Thillois and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Tabernacle Forced and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church Near Reims
August 3, 2025, FranceA church in Thillois was targeted in a break-in involving the forced opening of the tabernacle and the theft of a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The act is considered a serious profanation in the Catholic context.
Arson Destroyed Historic St Mungo’s Church in Cumbernauld
August 2, 2025, United KingdomA massive fire tore through St Mungo’s Church in Cumbernauld, prompting a large-scale emergency response. Police confirmed it to be arson.
Statue of St. Francis Vandalized with Motor Oil
August 1, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals poured used motor oil over a stone statue of St. Francis in front of the village chapel at Markstetten. The act has caused widespread shock in the community.
Priest attacked in Hubová
July 29, 2025, SlovakiaOn July 29, a Catholic priest was attacked in his house. According to the mayor of Hubová, the attacker appeared at the parish house and assaulted the priest in the entrance hall with an electric cable. The priest sustained minor injuries to his face and legs, but managed to push the man outside, lock the door behind him and alert the police.
Vandalism of Wooden Statue
July 29, 2025, GermanyOn July 29, unknown individuals entered the church, damaged a wooden statue as well as the interior plaster, and then fled without being identified. The damage is estimated at several hundred euros. The motives for the act are still under investigation.
Anti-Christian slogan and satanic symbols on Church in Pesaro
July 27, 2025, ItalyDuring the weekend of July 27, the facade of the Maddalena Church of Pesaro was defaced with the phrase “Clean churches, silent people,” along with a pentagram, which is commonly used as Satanic symbol, and black paint drawings resembling foetuses.
Vandals Destroy Two Crosses in Zawiercie
July 27, 2025, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalised two roadside crosses in Zawiercie County, Poland, overnight, prompting a call for an expiatory service by Bishop Artur Ważny. In one incident a wooden roadside cross was broken and the figure of Christ on it destroyed and in the other a cross was disfigured and painted pink.
Church Damaged by Stone Throwing in Neustadt
July 27, 2025, GermanyHoly Trinity Church in Neustadt was targeted in an act of vandalism after unknown individuals threw stones at the building, damaging five historic stained-glass windows.
Vandalism of Catholic Academy and Church ahead of Award to Bishop Barron
July 27, 2025, GermanyIn the days leading up to the Josef‑Pieper Prize ceremony in Münster, vandals sprayed slogans on the Franz‑Hitze‑Haus academy and local church and defaced several Christian statues with red paint. State security has since launched an investigation.
Armed Robbery Attempted During Mass
July 27, 2025, ItalyA masked gunman stormed into the chapel of the Dominican Sisters' institute in Sant'Anastasia, near Naples, during Mass. He attempted to rob the congregation and fired a blank shot into the air.
Pro‑Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Mass at La Madeleine in Paris
July 26, 2025, FranceOn the evening of July 26, 2025, pro‑Palestinian activists entered La Madeleine church in Paris during Mass, shouting slogans about the conflict in Gaza, thus interrupting the liturgy. The rector of the church denounced the demonstration as a violation of sacred ritual, stating he intended to press charges.
Cross sawn up and corpus placed upside down
July 25, 2025, GermanyVandals sawed down a roughly two-metre-high cross outside a church in Bann, desecrated the figure of Christ, and urinated in the sacristy—prompting shock in the local community and an ongoing police investigation.
Historic Chapel in Limbiate Vandalized Overnight
July 25, 2025, ItalyVandals broke into the small chapel at Villa Pusterla in Mombello di Limbiate and destroyed interior fixtures, decapitating the statue of Saint Anthony. Officials confirmed the incident as intentional vandalism and urged improved security.
Arson attack on the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church in Paris
July 24, 2025, FranceThe Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris was closed to the public after two fires occurred within 48 hours on July 23 and 24, 2025. One of the fires was confirmed to be of criminal origin. Authorities launched an investigation while restoration has begun on the damaged interior.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Campagnola in Suspected Sacrilegious Theft
July 21, 2025, ItalyOn 21 July, unknown perpetrators forced open the tabernacle of a church in Campagnola Emilia and stole consecrated hosts. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context. The incident indicates elements beyond financial motivation, as the primary target appears to have been the consecrated hosts rather than valuables.
Arson at Germany's Largest Wooden Church
July 20, 2025, GermanyA fire damaged the facade and roof truss of the Evangelical Marktkirche in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the night of July 20, 2025, in what officials later determined to be arson.
Arson Attack on Church in Transcarpatia with Anti-Hungarian Threats
July 16, 2025, UkraineOn July 16, 2025, unknown perpetrators set fire to a church in Palad-Komarivtsi, Transcarpatia, and left a threatening message targeting Hungary.
Syrian Christian Asylum Seekers under Threat
July 15, 2025, NetherlandsIn a recent statement, the Interchurch Foundation warned that discrimination against Syrian Christians in Dutch asylum seeker centres had increased sharply over the past six months. For example, a Christian Syrian mother was threatened with death and told that her family would be targeted. Understandably, such threats have caused serious fear among Christian asylum seekers, some of whom are now hiding their religion to avoid being targeted.
Arson and Break-in: Repeated targeting of churches in Sierck-les-Bains
July 13, 2025, FranceOn the night of 13 July, the room adjoining the church in Sierck-les-Bains was vandalised. The white plastic door was completely destroyed. A week earlier, two teenagers had been arrested for setting fire to a chapel in the same municipality.
Vandalism at Evangelical church in Pyskowice
July 13, 2025, PolandOn 13 July , vandals desecrated the grounds of the Evangelical-Augsburg parish, tearing off a rain gutter, damaging a masonry wall, and spraying vulgar graffiti on the bell tower door. The local pastor warned against an erosion of respect for places of worship and the Evangelical community in Pyskowice.
Church desecrated by excrement
July 13, 2025, FranceThe Arudy church was desecrated overnight on 13 July, with a large amount of faeces left inside and outside the building. The parish priest intends to file a complaint. He also found urine on the sacristy door and the tablecloth that usually covers the altar thrown over the stools.
Historic Romford Church Damaged by Apple-Throwing
July 11, 2025, United KingdomIn the early hours of July 11, two boys threw apples at Church House, part of St Edward’s Church in Romford, shattering multiple windows.
Vandalism in Münster church leads to restricted opening hours
July 10, 2025, GermanyAs reported on 10 July, St. Bonifatius Church in Münster will remain closed outside of services due to a series of troubling acts of vandalism. According to the local pastor, Dr Heike Köhler, the building has repeatedly been defiled with faeces and littered with broken beer bottles. There have also been incidents of arson. Most recently, photographs of baptism candidates were deliberately set on fire.
Incitement to burn churches and priests
July 9, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of 9 July, graffiti inciting violence against churches and priests was discovered on a house next to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The slogan read: "Churches should be burned down, but with the priests inside; otherwise it's not enough". An anarchist and transgender symbol was placed next to the quote.
Wycombe Church Issues Appeal for CCTV Amid Safety Concerns for Clergy and Congregants
July 9, 2025, United KingdomAfter a surge in anti-social behavior—including knife crime and drug activity—All Saints Church in High Wycombe is making a renewed appeal to install CCTV cameras. Reverend Anthony Searle described the situation as a “serious and ongoing threat” to public safety, especially for clergy and congregants.
Vandalism in Velen church
July 8, 2025, GermanyRepeated acts of vandalism at St. Andrew's Church in Velen, in the Borken district. The church has been left in a state of disarray, with overturned candles and firecrackers set off next to the high altar. The most recent example: The icon of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Help' was sprayed with wax, and the damage is estimated to be in the mid-three-digit range.
Statue of Mary damaged
July 8, 2025, PolandAn act of vandalism occurred in a stone grotto in Przyłęk when a statue of Mary was found beheaded.
Arson at the pilgrimage chapel in Friedberg
July 8, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals deliberately set multiple small fires inside the Maria Alber chapel in Friedberg-West. On the evening of 8 July, several pieces of partially burned paper, including church leaflets, newspapers and torn pages from the chapel's prayer book, were found under pews and near the candle stands. Parish officials have reported growing unease among community members, as this is not the first arson attack in recent weeks.
Hostilities erupt outside church in Langenau
July 7, 2025, GermanyViolence by pro-Palestine demonstrators against the congregation of St Martin's Protestant Church in Langenau, in the Alb-Donau district, has escalated. During an unannounced gathering outside the church, two protesters reportedly became physically violent against members of the congregation and verbally abusive against the priest. Due to the repeated demonstrations becoming increasingly violent, many parishioners have stopped attending services out of fear.
Vandals Wreck Church Hall
July 7, 2025, United KingdomA Church Hall in Northern Ireland was left in ruins after a nighttime break-in. Windows were smashed, religious texts thrown out, and food smeared across the interior—prompting community outrage and a police investigation.
Knife-Wielding Man Threatens Worshippers in Rennes Chapel
July 6, 2025, FranceA man armed with a knife threatened worshippers inside a chapel in Rennes, disrupting those present during a religious gathering. The individual was restrained by attendees and later arrested.
Altar of church in Lido vandalised
July 6, 2025, ItalyUnknown individuals entered the church of Tarquinia Lido, Maria Santissima Stella del mare, and overturned and damaged all the objects on the altar. According to reports, the vandals entered through a window at the back of the church and then targeted the side chapel where the consecrated hosts are kept.
Arson attack in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Helpers Stop Arsonist
July 6, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of Saturday, June 29, 2025, a 28-year-old man allegedly set fire to several altars in the Catholic parish church of St. Martin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According to police, the man intentionally ignited altar cloths using a lighter and caused damage estimated in the high four-figure range. Two church visitors extinguished the flames before the fire department arrived and overpowered the suspect, who has been temporarily placed in a psychiatric clinic by court order.
Attempted Arson at Sierck‑les‑Bains Chapel
July 6, 2025, FranceTwo adolescents attempted to set fire to the Marienfloss Chapel in Sierck-les-Bains. Thankfully the fire did not spread and caused only minor damages.
Salsasio church closes to public due to repeated vandalism
July 3, 2025, ItalyFollowing repeated acts of vandalism and harassment of the faithful, the parish of Salsasio has decided to close the church on Via Novara to the public, keeping it open only for religious services. Parish leaders denounced the incidents as showing “contempt for a sacred place and for Christianity,” and expressed serious concern for the safety of the church and its sacred objects.
Arsonists Ignite Five Fires in Lavesum’s Antonius Church
July 2, 2025, GermanyOn Friday, July 2, 2025, unknown individuals set multiple fires inside the Antonius Church in Lavesum, causing significant damage. Among the destroyed items was the canopy (baldachin) above the altar, and church officials suspect arson.
Sacristan struck down with cross
June 30, 2025, GermanyOn June 30, a man attacked the sacristan of the Catholic St. Nikolaus parish in Rodgau, using a crucifix as a weapon. The attacker, who is born in Syria and holds Lebanese and German citizenship, initially confronted the church worker after being approached about loud music coming from his parked car. He kicked the sacristy door, punched the sacristan, and then tore a 1.6-meter crucifix from the wall, striking the victim so forcefully that it broke. According to reports, he then tried to use the broken pieces of the figure of Jesus as a stabbing weapon and shouted to a passerby, “Help me kill him.”
Sacred Heart Poster at Vienna Bus Stop Defaced with Pride Graffiti
June 30, 2025, AustriaA religious poster honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus was vandalised at a Vienna bus stop with black spray paint and a provocative slogan.
Man Threatens Sacristan During Mass
June 30, 2025, SpainA man disrupted multiple Masses at a parish in Dos Hermanas, Sevilla, by demanding money from worshippers and threatening the church sacristan with death threats and xenophobic insults.
Christian Child Physically Attacked by Classmates After Revealing Faith in Kars
June 30, 2025, TurkeyAn 8-year-old child from a Christian family in Kars was physically assaulted by classmates after disclosing their religious identity. The case highlights both anti-Christian bullying and the pressure felt by the family, who later withdrew their complaint.
Crucifix set alight and 40 headstones smashed
June 29, 2025, United KingdomA large wooden crucifix was set on fire and around 40 headstones were smashed in a serious act of vandalism at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, in the early hours of Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Catholic community has expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which Bishop John Keenan described as “destructive violence.” A 39-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Salerno Church doors smeared with excrements
June 28, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of June 28, 2025, vandals defaced the Church of Sant’Anna al Porto in Salerno by smearing feces on both the main entrance and sacristy doors. This marked the second consecutive day of such an attack, discovered by Monsignor Claudio Raimondi and several parishioners.
Police investigate Arson at Northampton Church
June 27, 2025, United KingdomOn the evening of June 27, 2025, a fire broke out at St Mary’s Church on Towcester Road in Northampton. Emergency services were called to the scene, and police are treating the incident as arson.
Confessional Destroyed in Arson Attack: Krefeld Church Closed for Months
June 27, 2025, GermanyA church in Krefeld was damaged after a confessional was set on fire. While the cause was initially unclear, the incident has since been confirmed as arson.
Vandal attacks parish staff when caught
June 27, 2025, GermanyOn June 27, a 26-year-old man vandalised the floor of a church in Traunreut with a felt-tip pen and punched a church representative in the face when confronted. The suspect fled the scene but was later temporarily arrested by local police
Church in Peine target of arson
June 25, 2025, GermanyOn the morning of 25 June, a Catholic parish church in Peine, Germany, was targeted in an attempted arson attack. The fire, likely started using accelerants, caused minor damage to the entrance door but was quickly extinguished by a church employee before it could spread.