All cases
Theft of Statue of an Angel in Lingolsheim
March 7, 2020, FranceThe founder of the Mercy Center and the moderator of the Gallican Apostolic Union, Bishop Raphael Steck, reported a theft of the status of Padre Pio in Lingolsheim. Last year, numerous statutes of angels have also been stolen. There have also been repeated acts of vandalism in 2018.
Bible set on fire in Krefeld Church
March 6, 2020, GermanyOn March 6th, fires were set in the Catholic church Maria Waldrast in Krefeld. Between 10:00 and 6:00 p.m. someone set fire to a bible under a prayer bench in the nave of the church, as well as the paper displays in the entrance. The damage was minor. A week earlier, someone set a basket on fire in the church. The police began an investigation and sought witnesses.
Burglars Smash Stained Glass Window at Leicester Cathedral
March 4, 2020, United KingdomSometime between 6 p.m. on March 4th and 7:20 a.m. on March 5th, burglars smashed a stained glass window in the chapel of Christ the King at the eastern end of Leicester Cathedral, next to the room where Richard III is buried at Leicester Cathedral.
Profanation and Theft in Saint-Gault Church
March 4, 2020, FranceIn the beginning of March 2020 the church Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in Quelaines-Saint-Gault became a target of desecration and theft. The tabernacle was opened and the ciborium with the consecrated hosts was stolen. A Mass of reparation was celebrated on March 7th. The police took fingerprints and are searching for witnesses.
Theft And Desecration in The Church of Saint Gervais et Saint Protais
March 4, 2020, FranceOn the 4th March, the Church of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais in Mayenne was desecrated and robbed. The perpetrators forced the door of the tabernacle and inside they opened the ciborium and took the hosts it contained.
Religious Discrimination against Christian Seniors Group by Innsbruck's Social Services
March 4, 2020, AustriaA seniors group of Christians from recognised religious communities such as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Free Churches in Austria (FKÖ) is no longer allowed to use the tax-financed community centre after several years of use. In an e-mail from ISD (Innsbrucker Soziale Dienste), the Christian seniors group was informed that "prayers, devotions, hymns of praise, Bible readings or the like" are no longer permitted in the ISD Community Centre in Wilten with immediate effect. Representatives of political parties and Tyrollean citizens are protesting against this decision accusing of violating religious freedom.
Arson at Swiss Church
March 3, 2020, SwitzerlandOn the afternoon of March 3rd, an arson attack was committed in the Eusebiuskirche in Grenchen. Fortunately, the fire was discovered before major damage was caused. The police are looking for witnesses.
Three Arson Attempts in Church in Germany
March 3, 2020, GermanyOn March 3rd between 2:00 and 4 pm, a girl and a boy of 14 and 15 years old committed attempted arson in the Maria Magdalena church in Goch. They tried to start three fires: one in the small chapel with a candlestick, another one to a stand for prayer books in the nave and the last one at the back of the high altar. All three fires failed and the crime has been recorded on surveillance cameras, the 15-year-old admitted the act of vandalism.
Arson on the Organ Loft of a Church in Grenchen
March 3, 2020, SwitzerlandOn Tuesday 3rd March, several individuals placed a burning newspaper on the organ loft of the Catholic Church St. Eusebius in Grenchen. The fire was brought under control by the witnesses before the firemen arrived. The flames left damage on the furniture which is estimated on several hundred francs and the smoke filled the church.
Madrid Municipality Threatens an Evangelical Church with Sanctions for Carrying out alleged Conversion Therapies
March 3, 2020, SpainAccording to the Spanish Ministry, they will consider imposing "significant sanctions" on an Evangelical church in Madrid that exceeds 20,000 euros. In this church, therapies to cure homosexuality were offered and carried out. Now it is to be examined whether the church has thereby violated the Spanish LGBTQ law. "We will not tolerate any regression in our society and in what we have in our hands, which is to impose sanctions, we will not shake hands, we will not take a step back in the fight against LGTBIphobic behaviour," said Alberto Reyero, Minister of Social Policies.
Orthodox Church on Lesvos Vandalized by Refugees
March 2, 2020, GreeceNews reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox church of St. George was ransacked on March 2nd. According to witnesses, the vandalism was caused by refugees residing on the island. This news came as tensions ran high due to the arrival of hundreds of refugees and migrants after Turkey "opened the doors" for them to enter Europe.
Christians Women Portrayed as Harassers at Abortion Clinic
March 2, 2020, NetherlandsMedia portrayed Christian women as anti-abortion activists and harassers. They are also being targeted on the doorsteps of abortion clinics.
MP Interviewed by Police for Questioning Church Leadership
March 2, 2020, FinlandOn March 2nd, member of the Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen faced a police interrogation because of a tweet she posted in June 2019. The tweet was directed at the leadership of her church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event “Pride 2019”, accompanied by an image of a bible text.
German Church Closed Outside Services Due To Vandalism
March 2, 2020, GermanyDue to several weeks of vandalism and misuse, demonstrated by, for example, red wine stains found between pews in the church of Saint Gallus in Rangendingen, the parish will only be open during church services. Also, food remains and broken glass were found in front of the Church door. Not only the Church was victim of vandalism, the mortuary in the cemetery was also targeted. Similar incidents have also happened in the neighbouring city Steinhofen. Anyone who has made observations about the incidents should contact the parish office, Father Artur Schreiber, phone 07476/ 13 32, or any police department.
Two Consecutive Profanations Of The Church Of Ennezat
March 2, 2020, FranceIn the last days, the church of Ennezat (Puy-de-Dôme) was profaned twice. On March 2nd and the week before, prayer books have been gathered in a corner and set on fire, luckily the damage to the church caused by the fire was not severe. Furthermore, candles were broken, fire extinguisher were damaged and the pampas grass contained in a jar was stolen. The church is closed until further notice. The police are investigating.
A Group of Vandals Attacked the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George
March 2, 2020, GreeceOn 2nd March, the small church of Saint George near the village of Moria on the Island of Lesbos was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Some locals blamed a group of migrants that live at the nearby camp, claiming that it happened when the police prevented a march of migrants demanding to be transferred to Athens. The perpetrators destroyed icons and furniture. According to the locals, the church has been vandalized several times.
Trémorel Church Vandalized
March 1, 2020, FranceDuring the night from March 1st to March 2nd, someone broke into and vandalized the church of Trémorel (Côtes-d'Armor). The tabernacle was destroyed and the consecrated hosts were found scattered on the ground.
Smashed Windows at Church in Bergkamen
March 1, 2020, GermanyA 18-year-old-man smashed several windows and doors of the church of the Resurrection and the nearby Martin Luther house on March 1st, using stones. He was cought by the police on the same day.
Orange Paint All Over Italian Church
March 1, 2020, ItalyThe church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother in Montesilvano was covered in orange paint on March 1st. An unknown perpetrator painted the walls of the church and over the statue of Jesus Christ in front of this religious building.
Broken Windows in Leipzig Church
March 1, 2020, GermanyOn New Years Eve, 25 windows were broken on the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig by thrown stones. If people would have been inside, it could have been quite dangerous said pastor Britta Taddiken.