All cases
Vandalism on Church Bell Tower in Bordighera
June 12, 2020, ItalyOn June 12th the bell tower of the small church of Sant'Ampelio in Bordighera, was attacked by vandals who, using red graffiti, wrote the letters D and R. Mayor Vittorio Ingenito was infuriated and stated that this shameful act of vandalism saddened the whole community, as it struck one of the places they all hold most dear and he will "leave no stone unturned" to catch the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
Graves Vandalized in Eure
June 11, 2020, FranceMaintenance workers in a small municipal cemetery in the town of Lieurey discovered that dozen ancient graves had been vandalized. Several of the gravestones had been smashed, and on others, just the crosses were destroyed. According to the police in charge of the investigation, the incident dates back to the end of May or the beginning of June.
Theft and Desecration of the Eucharist in Molfetta
June 11, 2020, ItalyThe parish priest of San Gennaro in Molfetta, Don Sergio Vitulano, reported that on the morning of June 12th he had noticed the number of consecrated hosts was significantly reduced compared to those placed in the ciborium during the Mass of the previous day. He also reported finding a consecrated host on the ground. The security camera footage revealed that a recognizable woman, observed in the area in the previous days, had entered the church and had taken numerous consecrated Hosts from the tabernacle by hurriedly putting them in her pocket and leaving the church.
Draft Law on Homophobia and Transphobia Could Criminalize Biblical Teaching
June 10, 2020, ItalyThe Italian Bishops are speaking against a new legislation proposed against "homotransphobia" by Zan-Scalfarotto, as it could criminalize the Church's teaching on homosexuality and censor the preaching against other sexual pathologies. The Bishops argue that there are already laws that protect every human being from discrimination and violence. The law could lead to "criminalization of opinion".
Theft at the Cathedral St. Sebastian in Magdeburg
June 8, 2020, GermanyAround 3:00 a.m. on June 8, 2020, Sister Adelgitt heard banging on the sidewalk in front of St. Sebastian's Cathedral in downtown Magdeburg. Early the next morning it was clear what she had heard. Unknown thieves had stolen two bronze wings from the 'Angel Gate' which stands in front of the 'Gate of Paradise' at the west entrance of the cathedral. Since this is not the first time that parts of the gate were stolen, the remaining sections of the gate have now been secured by welding them together. A few days later, police received a tip from a witness who had found sawn-up bronze pieces near a garden property in the Fermersleber Elbweg between the two Salbker See lakes. They were later identified as the stolen parts. Narcotics were found on an adjacent property.
St. Johannes in Troisdorf Girls Discover Church Fire - Now The Police Investigates
June 8, 2020, GermanyAlthough there is no yet concrete evidence of arson, the police are investigating the fire in the church of St. Johannes. Two girls noticed smoke billowing out of the church and alerted the fire department. Apparently, too many candles had been lit on the metal stand in the vestibule.
Report Shows Increase in Violence Against Christian Believers in Spain
June 8, 2020, SpainThe Observatory of Religious Freedom (OLRC) based in Spain, reported a decrease in the attacks towards fundamental rights and an increase in violence against Catholic believers and places of worship (mostly Christian), on June 8th. According to Maria Garcia, President of the OLRC, 80% of the attacks have been directed against Christians. The report also shows political parties like "Podemos", the left party and the PSOE party as clear opposers of religious freedom involved in acts against Christians. The most affected cities are Madrid, Andalucia and Cataluña.
Window Church in Burscheid Smashed For the Second Time
June 6, 2020, GermanyOn 6th June, the windows of St. Laurentius Church in Burscheid were smashed again. They were already repaired one week after the first attack. There were four fist-sized holes found on the window, the metal frames were bent, and the stones were found inside the church by the opposite wall. The church remained closed, due to another act of vandalism in New Year's Eve, when a drunk man tried to set fire to the nativity scene.
Church Vandalized with Graffiti in Morlaix
June 5, 2020, FranceThe group Protège ton Église (Protect your Church) reported vandalism of the exterior walls of the église Saint-Martin in Morlaix during the week of June 5th.
Catholic Church Chapel Vandalized in Dijon
June 5, 2020, FranceOn the night of the 4th to 5th of June, a Catholic Chapel was vandalized with graffiti by unknown vandals in Dijon. One of the inscriptions says "Death to the Pigs". The same Chapel had already been victim of graffiti and anarchist symbols in February 2019.
Statue of Christ Decapitated and Vandalized
June 5, 2020, SpainIn the early morning hours of June 4, unknown individuals assaulted the monument dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in La Roda de Andalucía and broke the face and hands of the image to pieces.
Catholic Seminary Defaced During "Black Lives Matter Vienna" Rally
June 5, 2020, AustriaA "Black Lives Matter Vienna" protest on June 5th led to anti-church demonstrations and vandalism at a seminary near the US embassy in Vienna-Alsergrund, according to the seminary director. The outer wall was extensively smeared with graffiti and defaced, and he reported the resulting financial damage to the police.
Saint-Joseph Parish Church Vandalized
June 4, 2020, FranceAt the end of the first week of June, broken glass was discovered in a corridor of the parish church of Schœneck caused by the throwing of a large stone of about one kilo against a church window. The projectile had been thrown from outside the church and loosened the metal frame of the masonry. In front of the entrance to the crypt, the impact of a projectile against a window pane caused a crack that spanned its entire length. Another window was broken in the sacristy. Additionally, the large metal entrance gate at the side of the grotto of the Virgin was damaged, and two crossbars were twisted and torn off.
Fire Set in Bockhorst Church
June 4, 2020, GermanyUnknown perpetrators set fire to an altar cloth and an organ book in the Maria von der immerwährenden Hilfe (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) church in Bockhorst at around 5:00 p.m. on May 29th. The fire was extinguished promptly by the person who discovered the fire. Property damage of several thousand euros was incurred.
Large Altar Bible Stolen from Church
June 4, 2020, GermanyUnknown people stole a large altar bible with a golden cover from the Protestant church on Rüdesheimer Langstraße in Rüdesheim sometime between June 3rd and 4th.
Vandalism and Theft at the Church of Heuilley-Cotton
June 3, 2020, FranceBetween June 3rd and 4th, one or more people broke into the Saint-Loup church of Heuilley-Cotton to steal the "begging angel" (l'ange quêteur) donation box. It was found outside the church completely broken and emptied of its contents.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Destroyed in Cameri
June 3, 2020, ItalyOn the night of the 3rd to 4th of June, the Statue of the Virgin Mary of the Library of Cameri was destroyed by unknown vandals. The Statue rested on the courtyard of the library, in a niche. The perpetrator took it out and threw it out into the street, breaking it into pieces.
Hildburghäuser Church Set on Fire
May 31, 2020, GermanyA child set fire to 47 sites in the cycle path and pilgrim of St. Wigbert church in Häselrieth. Twenty-five emergency personnel of the fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire.
Politician Insulted With References to Christianity
May 30, 2020, PolandDuring the night of the 30th May, posters appeared at bus stops in Warsaw insulting the minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, his family, and work. On the posters the minister is portrayed wearing the traditional costume of the Order of Knights of Malta and it says, "The Gospel according to Lukasz Szum". On the posters, there were also charges and slogans against the Minister of Law and Justice about false Covid-19 Statistics and regulations.
Devastation and Theft of Crosses in Cemetery in Poland
May 29, 2020, PolandOn the 29th of May, the community cemetery of Wieliczka was devastated by a 28-year-old man. He was found on the next morning driving his bike drunk. The police noticed that his bag contained several metal crosses. The crosses were stolen from the cemetery, where he torn off the objects from the gravestones. He was charged with 8 years of prison.
Church Falsely Accused of Spreading COVID-19 Virus
May 28, 2020, GermanyAfter many COVID-19 cases have been detected among the worshipers of the Bremerhavan Pentecostal church, the crisis management team warned of discrimination against believers. However, it was made clear that the infections have been through family and social contacts. The church defended itself and stated having a coherent hygienic procedure. The mayor complained, that the accusation was a discrimination act against believers.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated and Thrown to the Ground
May 28, 2020, ItalyOn the 28th May, an unknown vandal or vandals decapitated the Statue of the Madonna in the town of Rosta, Turin. The statue was found thrown on the ground and beheaded. The Mayor himself condemned this act of vandalism.
Four Graves, Including that of a Priest, Vandalized in Village Cemetery
May 27, 2020, FranceFour graves in the village cemetery of Saint-Pierre-de-Rivière were damaged during the night between May 26th and 27th by unknown vandals. Among those graves was that of Emile Genès, who had returned his native village after a long priestly life in the Paris region.
St. Martin Church Vandalized
May 26, 2020, GermanyRioters vandalized and damaged the church and broken into the parish hall several times. The parish of St.Martin in Obsentrautstadt has invested around 20,000 euros in safety technology such as alarm systems and fire alarm to protect the church and prevent further damage.
Christians Against the New Biotechnology Law
May 26, 2020, NorwayOn the 26th of May, a new Biotechnology law was passed to allow an early ultrasound on the foetus, which can show the physical or mental disadvantages of the baby. Also, the donation of eggs has been made legal and the artificial insemination of single women is now allowed at the expense of the state. The Christian Democratic Party was against this law because the early knowledge about the disability of a foetus could lead to discrimination of the child by being aborted. In Norway, abortion is legal up to the week 12 of pregnancy.
Vandalism of Church Sanctuary for Second Time
May 25, 2020, ItalyIn Cassino, probably during the night of the 23rd May, the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Ascension in San Michele was vandalized for the second time. One of the stone benches had been uprooted and broken in several parts. The community wants to install a video surveillance system.
LGBT Activist Organization Accused Christian Pro-Life Moment of Hate Speech
May 25, 2020, ItalyThe Pro-Life organisation has been accused of Hate Speech for collecting signatures against the new Homo and Transphobic law. The fear is that Christian institutions, organisations, or Christians themselves, particularly those who are against abortion or homosexual marriage, could be sanctioned up to four years of imprisonment. This could, therefore, lead to restriction of freedom of expression and speech.
Saint-Arthémy Church Vandalized in Coteaux-du-Blanzacais
May 24, 2020, FranceThe Saint-Arthémy de Blanzac church in the town of Coteaux-du-Blanzacais was the target of acts of vandalism over the weekend of May 23rd and 24th.
Repeated Vandalism of The Figure of Jesus
May 24, 2020, SpainThe figure of Jesus in Andujar was vandalized several times. This already happened in 2013, 2017, and in 2019, where it was completely destroyed. In May 2020, it was finally restored by two artists.
Alsace: Two Vandalized Churches in Munster
May 23, 2020, FranceThe Catholic and Protestant churches, an ambulance company, the railway station, two banks and a sports complex were vandalized on the night of 22nd to 23rd May in Munster in le Haut-Rhin. Tags such as "Anarchie vaincera" (Anarchy will win) and the number "666" spray-painted in color were found. These damaging acts shocked and dismayed the inhabitants of the peaceful little town nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Vosges mountains. The gendarmerie launched an appeal for witnesses to find the perpetrators.
Church Lights and Room Vandalized
May 22, 2020, United KingdomOn 22nd May, lightning technicians had to visit the Trinity Church in Yarm Road, Stockton, because the lights were not working. Vandals had smashed the church lights, raided it, and put fire to the room, where the tools were stored.
Gironde: 55 Vandalized Graves in a Cemetery in Gujan-Mestras
May 21, 2020, FranceFifty-five graves in the church cemetery of Gujan-Mestras were damaged by vandals during the evening of May 21st. Crosses and crucifixes were broken, as well as plaques and flower pots. Police opened an investigation.
Calvary Destroyed in Assé-le-Béranger
May 20, 2020, FranceA witness reported to the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on May 20 that the calvary erected in front of the Assé-le-Béranger town hall of Assé-le-Béranger had been broken by a sledgehammer. Some inhabitants of the small village of 450 people interviewed by the witness expressed shock over this act of vandalism which is estimated to have occurred in the previous two weeks.
Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul Church
May 20, 2020, GermanyOn 20th May in the evening, an unknown perpetrator devastated the St. Peter and Paul Church in Mühlburg, Karlsruhe. The unknown perpetrator spilled wax over the Figure of Mary, the wall, and the floor of the church. He also torn flowers from the wall and spread them all over the floor. It also looked like he tried to set fire to a wooden rack. The estimated damage is around a thousand euro. Witnesses are asked to report clues to the police.
Installation of CCTV After Repeated Vandalism At Church
May 20, 2020, United KingdomAfter repeated vandalism at St. Mary Magdalene Church in New Milton, the Church will install CCTV Cameras along with the reparation of their windows. In the past, a thanksgiving memorial service was interrupted by teenagers banging on the windows and a stone was thrown through a car's rear window when the teenagers were confronted.
Desecration and Theft in Saint-Jean-des-Cordeliers Church
May 19, 2020, FranceOn May 19th, desecration and theft were committed in the church of Saint-Jean-des-Cordeliers in Bergerac, Dordogne. The tabernacle and the ciborium were forced and the consecrated hosts inside were stolen. Other valuable objects were left there, so it indicates that this was an act of vandalism. The parish priest filled a complaint.
Robbery With Violence In the Church Notre-Dame des Pins
May 16, 2020, FranceA forty-year-old man violently broke into the church of Notre-Dame des Pins in Cannes to steal donations. He also beat up a volunteer.
Saint Boniface Statue Vandalized with Anti-Christian Graffiti
May 16, 2020, United KingdomResidents of Crediton (Devon) have expressed their disgust after the statue of St. Boniface was targeted by vandals. The graffiti, scrawled across the base of the statue, reads: "God is dead. Pagan justice."
Repeated Arson at Church An Maria Waldrast in Krefeld
May 16, 2020, GermanyOn May 16th, unknown perpetrators set fire to the memorial altar in the church An Maria Waldrast in Krefeld. Previous arson attempts had been reported to the police in February and March 2020. The police are investigating and suspects an intentional arson. A volunteer at the church discovered the fire and was able to extinguish it with another witness. There was no damage and no one was injured.
Church on Lesbos Island is Trashed And Used as Toilet
May 15, 2020, GreeceOn the 15th of May, a Facebook User and local from Moria posted images of Saint Catherine Church on Lesbos, which is being used as a bathroom. He reported that the smell inside was terrible, and that the metropolitan of Mytilene is aware of the situation but did not act or deal with it. Volunteers have offered to restore the Church.
Vandalisation and Damage to The Church at Montpezat-de-Quercy
May 15, 2020, FranceOn the night of Friday 15th to Saturday 16th, several persons entered the small Church of Pilou in Montpezat-de-Quercy. A bar of one of the windows of the sacristy was also loosened so that someone could get in. The candles and other pieces of plastic were burned. The perpetrators also used the cassocks and priestly clothing and put them on the crosses. The police were informed.
Theft in the Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt
May 15, 2020, AustriaOn the first day that the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, unknown perpetrators gained access to the Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt on May 15th. They stole a statue known as the "Prager Jesulein," a Jesus statue with a golden crown from 1750, from the Trinity Altar. They then went on to the Mariazeller Altar on the opposite side and stole two crowns from a statue of Mary and Jesus. Both statues were placed inside of glass showcases. The theft did not cause much monetary loss, as the crowns were cheap replicas, but rather a cultural loss. This was not the first theft the church had to endure.
Hate Crime Against St. Mary Catholic Church Church
May 15, 2020, United KingdomOn the night of Friday 15th to Saturday, St. Mary Catholic Church in Ahoghill was attacked with paint thrown in front of the church and across the door. The police is treating the incident as a hate crime.
Graffiti on Gazzadina Church and the School of Vigo Meano
May 15, 2020, ItalyOn the night between 15th and 16th May, unknown perpetrators smeared a series of writings in the buildings of Vigo Meano and Gazzadina. The Parish Church of Gazzadina and the School of Vigo Meano were targeted. The wall facing west, and the wall of the sacristy were smeared with spray paint. The police started an investigation using the security cameras.
Smashed Display Window and Graffiti on St. Martini Church
May 15, 2020, GermanyOn the weekend of 15th and 16th May, unknown perpetrators smeared the showcase of St. Martini parish. They used black paint and left anarchist symbols on it. The police are looking for witnesses to this case and two other vandalism cases occurred on the same weekend. The Martini parish was led by the pastor Olaf Latzel, who was prosecuted in October 2019 for his comments on homosexuality and marriage. The Church had been vandalized several times before.
Thisnes Church Vandalized
May 13, 2020, BelgiumOn the 13th May, the church of Thisnes in Hannut has been victim of several acts of vandalism. Consequently, the church will be equipped with video surveillance systems.
Two Brutal Thefts within 48 Hours in Two Churches in Freising
May 12, 2020, GermanyTwice within 48 hours in mid-May, unknown perpetrators committed burglaries in Freising churches. They gained access to the buildings in an extremely brutal manner and caused great damage - but the value of the loot is low, in one case nothing was stolen. In order to gain access to various rooms, the perpetrator(s) also destroyed several window panes, among other things. According to initial estimates, the resulting property damage amounts to around 5,000 euros, disproportionally outweighing the cost of the stolen objects.
Covid-19 Regulations Did Not Allow Church Services Compared to Other Services
May 11, 2020, FranceThe Christian Democratic Party has filed an appeal with the Council of State to obtain permission to hold services before the end of May. Jean Frédéric Poisson requested the infringement of the fundamental freedom of worship. Small businesses, such as hairdressing salons, were given permission to operate, while religious services were not. He also asked for the re-establishment of worship services in the low-risk departments.
Destruction of the Summit Crucifix of Pic Saint-Loup near Montpellier
May 10, 2020, FranceBetween the evening of May 9th and and the morning of May 10th, unidentified vandals cut down the emblematic summit crucifix of Pic Saint-Loup at its base. The iron cross overlooking Montpellier, which weighs 900 kg and is nearly ten meters high, was reportedly detached with a blowtorch or drills and left hanging over the 658 meters from the top of the peak. Inscriptions in red paint reading "Larcins des sorcières hérétiques" (crimes of heretical witches", "Le Pic Laïque" (the secular peak), and "Witch Power" (in English) were left on the pedestal. Police are investigating.
Theft Of a Relic at Saint-Antoine in Gers
May 10, 2020, FranceSince Sunday 10th May, the Gendarmes has been investigating the theft of the Relic of Anthony the Great from the church of Saint-Anthony in Gers. The Relic is from the 15th century and is a silver-plated copper reliquary that represents the arm of Saint Anthony, which also contains the ossicles of a finger of the Saint.