All cases
Statue of St. Anthony Demolished
September 18, 2020, ItalyThe bronze Statue of St. Anthony in Milano was demolished on the night of 17th to 18th September. The statue was in front of the sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua for 88 years. The statue is significantly heavy and, therefore, there must have been three perpetrators involved in the demolition. Churchgoers from the neighborhood suspected that the perpetrators are homeless men who gather at the square and are frequently heavily drunk, but there is no evidence that it was them. The police are investigating.
Increased Number of Thefts, Vandalism and Desecrations Leads to Closure of More Churches
September 18, 2020, FranceOn the occasion of the Heritage Days which took place from 19 to 20 September in Paris, RCF radio in France points out that the increase in theft, vandalism and desecration of churches in France prompts more and more priests to close their churches outside of services. For several months the churches have been attacked through theft of liturgical utensils, relics, desecration and even arson. In 2019, there were more than 1052 incidents registered, including 996 acts of vandalism or graffiti and 56 threats against persons.
Amsterdam Mayor Accused Hillsong Church of Intolerance against Homosexuals
September 18, 2020, NetherlandsAmsterdam mayor Femke Halsema linked the activities of the Hillsong Church with an increasing violence against gays during a council meeting in September and associated them with the promotion of gay healing and conversion therapy. To take action against the church's alleged intolerance, she announced her intention to approach the landlord of the Hillsong Church building. Both Hillsong Church and Christian parties in the council expressed their surprise and disappointment at the unfounded claims.
Mayor "Doesn't Have Time" To Meet the OLRC, Regarding Matters of Religious Freedom in Madrid
September 18, 2020, SpainThe Mayor of Madrid was asked for a meeting by the Observatory of Religious Freedom, based in Spain, to talk about the matter of Religious Freedom and the increase of vandalism against churches in Madrid. The first request was in June, and until September the Mayor did not answer nor did any other consultant confirm a meeting. This was reported by OLRC on September 18th.
Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period
September 17, 2020, GermanyOn 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.
The Statue of the Virgin Mary Completely Vandalized
September 17, 2020, BelgiumWith probably an iron bar, the statue of the Virgin, at the Place des Quatre-Grands in Jemeppe, has been demolished.
Increase in Vandalism Against Churches in Northern Ireland
September 16, 2020, United KingdomIn the last three years, there have been more than 400 attacks recorded against churches. In the last five years it sums up to 600 attacks in Northern Ireland. Most of the attacks happened in Belfast. Most of the incidents are attacks with paint bombs and graffitis, but also various forms of vandalism, arson attacks and general damage to church property are recorded.
Unknown Perpetrators Rioted and Set Fire Inside Church
September 16, 2020, GermanyBetween the 16th and 29th of September, unknown perpetrators vandalized the St. Jürgen Chapel in Wolgast. The police was called, after unknown persons were rioting and setting fires inside the church. They broke a window, damaged the window sills and set fire to several places inside the Church, fortunately the flames did not spread. The caused damage is around 7,600 Euros. The police is investigating.
Priest Stabbed to Death Near His Parish in Italy
September 15, 2020, ItalyOn the 15th September in Como, Roberto Malgesini, a 51-year-old priest was found dead from knife wounds in the vicinity of his parish. He was known for his devotion to the migrants, homeless people, and those who are in difficult situations. The priest was stabbed several times in a street near the Church of St. Rocco, including one to the neck. The attacker, a 53-year-old man from Tunisia, turned himself in to the police. The man suffered from a mental illness and was known by Malgesini. Malgesini had taken care of him in the parish. On the same morning, the priest was going to bring breakfast for the homeless.
Christian Restaurant Owner Accused of Incitement for Displaying Bible Verses about Homosexuality
September 15, 2020, GermanyThe prosecuting attorney's office in Berlin instituted preliminary proceedings against Park Young-Ai, a 71 year-old Christian who owns a Korean restaurant in the Berlin district Schöneberg. She was accused of incitement for displaying a bible verse critical of homosexuality in the window of her restaurant "Ixthys". She was subject to a house search and has been called to a hearing.
Theft from Catholic Church of St Anna
September 11, 2020, GermanySeptember 11th, between 12 and 19:30 hrs, a display case was broken open in the provost church of St. Anna in Schwerin. Unknown perpetrators stole the relic of Saint Ansgar. The perpetrators also broke open two alms boxes in the church. The total damage to property amounts to about 1,400 euros, but the value of the stolen relic has not been quantified. Police opened an investigation.
Inverted Yellow Cross Sprayed on the Door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid
September 10, 2020, SpainA large inverted yellow cross was painted onto the main entrance door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid on September 10th. This is not the first time that the church was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown.
War Memorial and Church Vandalised in Les Vigneaux
September 10, 2020, FranceOn September 10, inhabitants of Les Vigneaux discovered that all of the names on the war memorial had been crossed out with paint. Genitals had been painted on the monument as well as on either side of the church door. Mayor Gilles Pierre lodged a complaint.
Damage in the Cemetery and Church of the Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso
September 9, 2020, ItalyA group of young people climbed over the chapel and broke into the cemetery. The damaged the roof and started throwing the shards of tiles on the street. The police traced and identified the underage perpetrators.
After Facebook Post Pastor Threatened by LGBT Activists with Arson and Physical Assault
September 8, 2020, United KingdomSince the 8th of August, Pastor Josh Williamson and his wife experienced several threats and verbal abuse by the LGBT community, because of posting his belief about homosexuality on Facebook. Among them are the threats to burn his church, to perform sexual acts and protests in front of his church and physical assault. His image was also used on pornographic content and shared online, among other misleading information about him. In his conversation with the Police, Williamson was told to be careful not to break the law by insulting the LGBT community and being charged for hate speech. The threats towards him and his church were not investigated, neither the acts of defamation.
Vandalism in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt
September 8, 2020, GermanyOn September 8, vandals played with fire on the offertory box, set fire to a large wooden cross and broke a candle on the high altar in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt. The damage amounts to several hundred Euros. The police station in Roth initiated an investigation and asked for information of witnesses.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated in Borgo Sabotino
September 7, 2020, ItalyDuring the night of September 7th unknown perpetrators decapitated the statue of the Virgin Mary, called "Madonnina" by locals, which is situated in Borgo Sabotino in the province of Latina. This was not the first time the statue was vandalized the parish SS Cuore di Gesù states, expressing its deep sorrow over this tragic incident.
Discrimination Against Christian Academics in State-Led Educational Agency
September 7, 2020, SpainThe Observatory of Freedom of Religion (OFRC) in Spain, presented a research project in October 2019, to the National Agency for Evaluation and Prospective Studies (ANEP) under the Ministry of Science and Innovation on a Climate Change topic. The actors involved were the University of Alcalá, the University of Catalonia and researchers of three different universities, from which two have a Christian background. In June 2020 they received a statement that the experience of the members of the research, related to climate change, is doubted and they are afraid of a biased study, given the religious weight of the institutions involved. The OLRC took the case to the Ministry, but it was rejected.
Church Walls Vandalized With Graffiti In Ixelles
September 6, 2020, BelgiumGraffiti was found on the walls of Sainte-Croix Church which is situated close to Flagey Square in Ixelles. Tags include the phrases "God is gay", "Je suis a transwoman" ("I am a trans woman"), as well as an inverted cross and the number "666".
Figure of Christ Damaged on Roadside Cross in Katowicach
September 6, 2020, PolandVandals damaged the figure of Christ on a roadside cross, which is situated at the intersection between Szczecińska, Ściegiennego and Krzyżowa road in Katowicach. The damage was reported by Sw. Józefa Robotnika Parish in Józefowcu.
30-Centimeter-Long Dagger Found Stuck on Church Door
September 6, 2020, GermanyThe Pastor Markus Hasenpusch from the St. John Church in Malchin found a 30-centimeter-long dagger stuck on the door of the church on September 6th. In the door leaf was a 30-centimeter-long dagger with a 17-centimeter large blade. The knife was stuck at a height of 1.60 meters and one centimeter deep in the wood of the church door. The police estimated the damage at 50 euros and is investigating it for " injurious damage to property". The police are investigating and are looking for witnesses.
Sainte-Croix Church Tagged and Vandalized
September 6, 2020, BelgiumThe facade of the Sainte-Croix Church, near Place Flagey in Ixelles, was tagged with "God is gay", "I am a transwoman" or the number "666" with an inverted cross.
Theft from the Catholic Parish Church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler
September 5, 2020, GermanyOn the 3rd of September, several sacred objects were stolen from the Catholic parish church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler by an unknown perpetrator. The church was unlocked. The objects were a microphone, Bible, altar bells and gong. Police is looking for clues.
Break-in at a Church Office in Nordenham
September 5, 2020, GermanyIn the night between 5th and 6th September, there was a burglary from a church office in Nordenham. Perpetrators forced their way into the building and stole cash.
"Christians are Always Ridiculed": SRF-"Deville" Caused Displeasure
September 4, 2020, SwitzerlandChristians are defamed and ridiculed in the satirical program "Deville". The reopening of churches was called irrelevant and unnecessary by David Koch. He also affirmed, that the Covid-19 pandemic had shown that there was no God. Neither the show nor the satirist found the episode harmful and have not apologized
Man Arrested For Burglary And Degradation Of A Church
September 3, 2020, FranceOn September 3rd in Villeurbanne, the police arrested a 30-year-old homeless man with 62 criminal records who was suspected of committing burglary and degradation of a Christian Church. He was identified through the surveillance cameras and was lately recognized by a witness. He also admitted committing the crimes because of anger towards the religious beliefs.
Man Arrested for Threats and Breaking into Church in Villeurbanne
September 3, 2020, FranceOn September 3, a homeless man, who had 62 previous convictions, was arrested for burglary in the church building of a protestant community called Transfiguration Église Chrétienne in Villeurbanne. A few days earlier the perpetrator had already appeared the church and threatened people because of their religion. The threats concerned the very church he then broke into. He will be charged with burglary.
Vandals Desecrated Church in Xanthi
September 2, 2020, GreeceThe Chapel of St. Alexander was desecrated by unknown vandals in Xanthi, Greece, in the first week of September. The vandals scratched the faces of the Saints and Icons. The exact time of vandalism is unknown.
Series of Thefts in Churches and Diocesan Office
September 2, 2020, FranceIt is not the first time that the Grignan church has witnessed a theft or degradations of the crib. Two years ago, the trunk, contained between 200 and 300 euro, has been stolen. The church in Châtellerault has been target of thefts for years. On March 4, a 53-old man was filmed breaking the lock on the trunk with a pair of wire cutters and stole the contents of the offerings of the faithful from the church of Saint-Marie d'Ozon. On 2nd September, two men robbed a diocesan office in Vieux Lyon. On 30 August, the church of Plounéour-Ménez in Finistère was a victim of an attempted theft. A statue of Saint Thomas was pulled by a robe from the car of three unknown perpetuators.
Vandalism and Insults on Catholic School
September 2, 2020, FranceOn the night of the 2nd of September, the catholic School Saint-Louis/Saint-Bruno was vandalized with a Nazi Symbol of a Swastika on the wall. There was also the inscription "School of crime". Another swastika was also found on the wall of the elementary school in the same area. The inscriptions were erased before the students arrived and the police came to investigate crime.
Attempt to Burn Down the Church and a Man was Beaten Up
September 1, 2020, SwedenOn 28th August at night, there was a riot in Ronneby that caused a devastation in the city. Naem Sufan was beaten in the middle of the riot as he tried to prevent angry protesters from going to the Holy Cross church. The protesters tried to burn the church, but Naem Sufan extinguished the fire with his jacket. He had injuries in his shoulder and neck. Afterwards the rioters went to the city center and threw stones at the police. Riots started after a Koran burning in Malmö. This happened on the same night as a vehicle used for charitable purposes was burned.
Vandalism and Burglary in Arzheim Church
September 1, 2020, GermanyOn the night of Sunday 30th August to Monday, unknown perpetrators broke into the protestant Church St. Aldegundis in Koblenz-Arzheim through the second floor. The basement window was smashed and food and wine from the church were consumed in the cellar.
Congress Center in Winterthur Refused Hosting March for Life Event Fearing Radical Left Violence
September 1, 2020, SwitzerlandThe congress center "gate27" in Winterthur withdrew the right to hospitality from the Swiss pro-life association "Marsch fürs Läbe", which had planned to host a substitute event for the March of Life on September 19th. An estimated 400 to 1,000 unauthorized counter-protestors were expected to attempt to block the event, causing the police to give out serious warnings about the danger of violent left-wing extremist attacks. The organizers of Marsch fürs Läbe regret the restriction of freedom of speech and assembly caused by left-wing extremist threats and filed a complaint.
Break In in Church in Aschaffenburg, Germany
September 1, 2020, GermanyDuring the time between the 1st September and the 7th October, unknown perpetrators broke-in in a Church in Aschaffenburg. They damaged the church. The police is still looking for witnesses and clues.
Sacrilegious Vandals Damaged in Monteu da Po Church
August 31, 2020, ItalyOn the night from 30th to 31st August, the churchyard of the parish church of Monteu da Po was vandalized. Vandals left pizza boxes, leftovers of food, paper cups in the churchyard, and beer bottles with broken glass in front of the access to the sacred building. The priest Piero Massaglia expressed his desolation and great annoyance since this is not the first time this happens.
Man Attacked Priest During Mass and Torn the Pages of the Bible
August 30, 2020, GermanyOn the 30th August, during a Sunday Mass in St. Joseph's Church in Berlin, a man attacked a priest and desecrated the church. The witnesses recalled that the man was sitting quietly, until he stood up and spat on the ground. He then walked towards the sanctuary of the church while murmuring anti-religious statements and punched the 61-year-old priest, who was knocked to the ground. The attacker took the Bible afterwards and torn several pages from it. While the brother of the priest tried to aid the victim, he was also knocked down with the Bible. The attacker fled unrecognized and the crime is being investigated by the police.
Attempted Burglary in Church
August 30, 2020, GermanyBetween Friday night and Saturday morning, unknown persons tried to break into a Catholic Church. They unlocked a glass panel with a cobblestone. The burglars realized afterwards that they would not be able to enter the church any further this way and got away.
Wayside Cross destroyed in Colmar
August 30, 2020, FranceDuring the night of 30 to 31 August, the wayside cross in rue du Logelbach in the city of Colmar was destroyed. Prior to the attack, plans had already been made to restore the cross and set it up in the presbytery park. The priest of Saint-Joseph parish, François Martz, filed a complaint online.
Statue of Armenian Priest Smeared by Turkish Genocide Deniers in Paris
August 30, 2020, FranceCCAF (Council for Coordination of Armenian Organizations in France) reported on their Facebook page on August 30th, that a statue of the Armenian priest Komitas Vardapet, symbol of the Armenian Genocide, had been smeared with graffiti. The nature of the incident hints at a motive coming from Turkish genocide deniers. The message read "c'est faux", which can be translated as "This is not true". CCAF expressed their concerns regarding this attack on the dignity of the descendants of the victims of the Armenian genocide.
Old Wooden Cross Vandalised in Mount of Calvary
August 30, 2020, ItalyOn an unknown time before the end of August, unknown vandals removed the arms of the wooden cross, which was placed on Monte della Croce in Carpineti. Another unidentified pilgrim, replaced the damage with a wooden rod and tied it with iron wire. A formal recovery of the Cross was celebrated as part of the San Vitale Fair.
Statue of Saint Thomas Targeted For Attempted Robbery
August 30, 2020, FranceOn the 30th pf August, a statue of Saint-Thomas, which was on the porch of the church in Plounéour-Ménez in Finistère, was targeted by robbers or vandals. Three individuals inside a car pulled a rope around the statue to get into into their vehicle, witnesses saw them and scared the perpetrators away. The robbers fled the scene leaving the statue toppled over and damaged.
15 Pieces of Art Stolen from Basilique Saint-Mathurin in Larchant
August 29, 2020, France14 paintings and a statue of Christ on the cross were stolen from Basilique Saint-Mathurin in Larchant. While the financial loss was estimated at 25.000 to 30.000 euros, the community also mourned the loss of heritage. The theft could have taken place between August 20 and 29. La Chapelle-de-la-Reine brigade initiated an investigation, supported by the research department of Fointainebleau police.
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Tour de France Course
August 29, 2020, FranceSpectators of the Tour de France race, which started on August 29th in Nice, discovered large anti-Christian messages painted on the road of Col de Glières pass, which was part of the race course. The images consisted of a cross inserted into a large prohibition sign and a slogan saying "Bad religion", accompanied by the painting of a red devil on turquoise background and a message saying "Pleased to meet you."
Cemetery and Village Hall Vandalized in Saint-Urbain
August 29, 2020, FranceDuring the night from August 29th to 30th, the cemetery and the village hall in Saint-Urbain (département de Finistère) were vandalized. Several crosses on private tombstones were broken, ornamental shells were taken off a monument dedicated to war victims in the community, and windows of the village hall Ti-Kreisker were smashed. Plougastel police began an investigation.
Sacred Objects for Worship Stolen from Five Churches in Jura Region
August 28, 2020, FranceA series of thefts occured in the French region of Jura during the period of August 16th to 28th: A monstrance and a chalice were stolen from both the church in Nevy-sur-Seille and Monteney. In Saint-Etienne Church in Rans, three golden chalices, a small golden ciborium and a silver cup, listed as part of the heritage of sacred arts, were stolen. In addition, a chalice, a ciborium and a paten were missing in Rochefort-sur-Nenon and the collection box in Baume-les-Messieurs was plundered. The police in Dole began investigations and suspected that most of the cases were linked.
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Christian Bookstore in Lyon
August 28, 2020, FranceEmployees of the CLC Christian bookstore, situated on the quai Tilsitt in Lyon, found red and white graffiti painted on all of their shop windows in the morning of August 29th. The messages included "Christianity is a sect that succeeded" or "Up there, God doesn't exist". A complaint was filed.
The Statue of Christ of The Po Destroyed
August 28, 2020, ItalyOn the night between 28th and 29th August, the Statue of Christ of the Po was destroyed. The statue was inaugurated in August, made by the sculptor Mario Spadari. The unknown vandals threw stones at it and then destroyed and mutilated it. The local police started an investigation, but there were neither witnesses nor security cameras.
Car Used by Malmö Church for Charitable Causes Burned
August 28, 2020, SwedenIn the night of August 28, the car used for social welfare causes by Hyllie Church in Malmö was burned down. The car was not in the vicinity of the riot that happened in the same night, however, the perpetrators remain unknown.
Dozens of Graffiti on San Maurizio Church in Monza
August 28, 2020, ItalyDuring the night of 28 to 29 August, vandals sprayed dozens of graffiti onto the San Maurizio Church in Monza, including the main portal, the granite pillars and the wall with the commemorative plaque of Monsignore Luigi Talamoni. Experts will be required to restore the damaged decor. The people responsible for Monza Church have filed a complaint.
Sold Christian Cemetery Planned to Become Holiday Retreat Area
August 28, 2020, PolandIn the North of Poland, in the city of Bialogóra, the cemetery where about 400 Christian believers are buried, is threatened with plans of turning it into a holiday retreat area. Many of the descendants of the buried now live in Lithuania. The community was not warned about the construction plans. The government representatives says they didn't know the history of the property and sold it to a private enterprise, which is continuing their plans in spite of the protest from the community.