All cases
Pope John Paul II's Blood Relic Stolen from Spoleto Cathedral
September 23, 2020, ItalyOn 23 September, the sacristan discovered the theft of Pope John Paul II's relic, a gold and crystal casing with drops of his blood, which was kept and venerated in the Chapel of the Crucifix of the Cathedral Basilica of Spoleto. The Carabinieri Company of Spoleto began investigations and have identified a perpetrator. Archbishop Renato Boccardo expressed his dismay and called for those responible to return the precious relic.
Priest Threatened with Death and Church Damaged
September 23, 2020, ItalyOn September 23rd, a man broke into the church San Claudio dei Sacramentini, in the Piazza San Silvestro and threatened the parish priest with death with a metal pole. Then, he broke church furnishing and glass, threw the lectern on the floor, and damaged part of the altar. He was arrested by police officers on the spot.
Deportation of Convert Refugee Threatened with Death Penalty in Afghanistan
September 22, 2020, GermanyNaser R. is a refugee who converted to Christianity and threatened with death penalty in Afghanistan because of his conversion. He has been living in Hof since 2016 and visited St. Michael Church. He got baptized in the Church and since then, he became a member of the community. The young man is to be deported to Afghanistan, where he would face the death penalty. The Dean Günter Saalfrank and the honorary refugee commissioner of the Deanery of Hof wants to take action.
Church of Sant’Agata al Collegio Devastated for a Second Time
September 22, 2020, ItalySant'Agata Church was devastated for the second time on September 22nd. The tomb containing the saint's relics was ravaged, the tabernacle was broken, and consecrated hosts were stolen. Representations of the Mother of God were also destroyed. Two men have already been arrested, according to Italian media reports. The Ministry of the Interior promised funds to implement a video surveillance system and improve security measures.
Saint George Church in Lesbos is Desecrated For The Second Time
September 21, 2020, GreeceOn the week the 21, September, the Church of Saint George, in the vicinity of the town Moria in Lesbos, was vandalized for a second time. The Images and furniture have been destroyed by migrants who stayed and camped at the church after the fire broke out in Moria's Refugee Camp. When the group left, there was garbage inside and outside the church, apart from the items being broken.
Arson, Desecration and Profanation of Church in Pérols
September 20, 2020, FranceOn September 20th, a man desecrated the Church of Saint Sixtus II in Pérols. He vandalized equipment, setting fire to song and prayer sheets, a table, part of a pew and a veil. He also tried to set some fabric on fire, but it was fireproof. Then the man grabbed a cross from the altar and threw it to the organ. The man also spit several times on the ground and the priest's deck and urinated and defecated between benches. He was traced, thanks to the cameras in the church, and was arrested by the police because of attempted robbery in Auchan. A police officer recognized the man through a photo published by the priest of the parish.
Theft of Money and Sacred Objects from Parish Office in Martinshöhe
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the night of 20 to 21 September, unknown perpetrators forcefully open the windows of the Heiliger Bruder Konrad parish house in Martinshöhe and ransacked the parish office. They also tried to break into the church and the sacristy, but they were not successful. Sacred objects and a four-figure sum of money were stolen; the overall property damage reaches five figures.
Vandalism of Church Twice in a Week
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the past two weeks, vandals have raged in the city church twice. Shoe marks were found on the altar cloth, and this showing that someone walked on it. The Candles and sacrificial lights were smudged and poured out and wax was distributed in the pews. The parish priest has put signs on the doors, asking the population to keep an eye on the town church. Last year in summer the church was also vandalized several times. The pastor warned that, if there is another case, they will file a complaint.
Vandalism of Catholic Church before Holy Mass in Remembrance of Aborted Children
September 19, 2020, GermanyOn the night of 18th to 19th September, the historical church St. Marien am Behnitz and the outer walls of the playground were found vandalized with slogans, like "Abortion is a Human Right. The perpetrators were eventually against Pro-Life movements. The police put charges, although they did not charge any damage to property, because it was pasted wallpaper.
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.