All cases
20 Tombstones Vandalized and Desecrated in Polish Cemetery
October 28, 2020, PolandAn act of vandalism at the parish cemetery in Luboszyce took place on the night of October 28th. Around 20 tombstones have been devastated by unknown perpetrators. Many crosses and gravestones have been overturned, some graves were opened and the small figures of angels or candles have been smashed. The police investigated the case and later arrested a 34-year-old man.
A Group of Young People Vandalized the Russian Church Garden
October 28, 2020, ItalyIt was reported on the 28th of October that a group of young people gathered at night in the garden of the Russian Church in Bari. Some of them vandalized it and left the place in a bad state. A citizen witnessed this gathering and reported the incident on Facebook to the mayor Antonio Decaro.
Wooden Church Almost Completely Burned Down
October 28, 2020, Czech RepublicIn the Kinsky Garden in Prague, the wooden Orthodox Church of St. Michael was almost completely burned down. According to the first information, a fire broke out in the lower part of the wooden structure. However, the fire spread throughout the whole building. The cause is not yet known, and the police is investigating the cause and origin of the fire. The small tower of the church collapsed; the firefighters extinguished the flames.
Convent of the Carmelite is Vandalized with Offensive and Vulgar Slogans
October 28, 2020, PolandIn Warsaw, the facade of the Carmelite convent was smeared by unknown vandals. Offensive and vulgar slogans were written on the outer walls, which the nuns renovated for years. The vandalism happened during the night of October 28th.
Church in Meriadec Repeatedly Vandalized
October 28, 2020, FranceOn October 28th, the church in Meriádec was vandalized again. Unknown vandals shattered the stained-glass windows of the church by throwing stones. The parish committee has decided to file a complaint, as this is not the first time that vandalism has happened. The cost of the repairs are being evaluated and the police is investigating.
Church Windows Vandalized in Lüdge, Germany
October 27, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of October 27th in Lüdge, unknown vandals damaged several windows of the parish Church St. Marien, situated on one of the main streets of the town. The caused damage is estimated to be 1.500 Euros and the police is asking for further information from witnesses.
Abortion Supporters Attack People Defending Church in Poznan
October 27, 2020, PolandOn the 27th of October 2020, during the violent demonstrations after the Constitutional Tribunal ruled on eugenic abortion in Poland, several people who were defending a church on Fredry Street in Poznań were attacked. Supporters of abortion had allegedly wanted to vandalize this church but upon finding people defending it, they attacked them with tear gas, wooden rods, and batons. The defenders claim nothing preceded the attack.
Ancient Relics Stolen From St. Wolfgang's Church
October 26, 2020, GermanyOn October 26th, thousand-year-old relics were stolen from the St. Wolfgang church in Regensburg. The non-material damage is estimated at several thousand Euros, as the relics were the last mortal remains of the Saint. The relics were forcefully taken out of a bulletproof glass and steel case from the grave of St. Wolfgang, which is located in the entrance area of the church. The police is investigating and asking for witnesses. After ongoing investigations, the police says the thieves were professionals and that it looks like a planned act.
Revealed Number of Crimes Against Churches and Christian Buildings, Cumbria is the Fourth Lowest Country with 47 Cases In One Year
October 26, 2020, United KingdomThe Countryside Alliance has examined the number of crimes committed against churches or religious buildings, and released the numbers for the last 12 years. In the UK nationwide, 6,000 crime cases have been reported. In Cumbria, which is the fourth lowest country in terms of such crimes, 47 cases have been reported in one year. Last year the Countryside Alliance's also reported 20,000 crimes against churches and religious buildings in the UK in the lapse of 2 years.
Tabernacle and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Virgen del Mar Parish in Madrid
October 26, 2020, SpainThe tabernacle of the Chapel was stolen from the Virgen del Mar parish in Madrid on October 26th in the San Blas neighborhood. The perpetrators also destroyed another tabernacle and took the consecrated Hosts, as the parish published on their Facebook page. The parish priest, Enrique Abánades García, told journalists that the crime has been reported to the police, and he calls the community to grow in love of Christ's blessed sacrament.
Arson on Church Grounds Damages Windows
October 26, 2020, United KingdomOn the grounds of a church in Derry, during the night of October 26th, a pile of rubbish was set on fire by unknown vandals causing damage to several windows of the church. The police is investigating.
Pro-Abortion Protestors in Warsaw, Attack Church and Those Defending it
October 26, 2020, PolandOn October 26th, mobs of pro-abortion activists threw stones and bottles at the St. Alexander Church in Warsaw and those trying to defend it from the onslaught. At first, the police did nothing but then finally cordoned off the protestors from those defending the church. The protest was instigated by a Constitutional Tribunal ruling which stated that eugenic abortion was not in accordance with the constitution, while the far left, wanted "abortion on demand."
Suspected Arson in the St. Marien Church in Ahlen
October 25, 2020, GermanyIn the church St. Marien in Ahlen a fire to a pew had to be extinguished by the firemen on Sunday 25th of October. The fire department got the fire under control and ventilated the church, the police was notified. The police is looking for information and is investigation the case. The amount of damage done has still to be estimated. According to a witness, some children sprayed disinfectant on the bench and set it on fire.
Glass of Church Door Smashed During the Night
October 24, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of October 24th to 25th an eye-witness, woken up by the noise, saw several people gathered in front of the church entrance of Am Widey. On the next day, the police was called in and found that a pane of glass from the door had been smashed. The police is investigating and estimates the damage to be around 500 Euros.
Side Entrance of Chiesa Madre and la Villa Borsellino Desecrated by Vandals
October 24, 2020, ItalyDuring the weekend of October 24th to 25th, unknown vandals left the Chiesa Madre and la Villa Borsellino with trash, beer bottles and a damaged door. The Archpriest, Mons. Salvatore Salvia expressed his dissaproval and dennounced the act.
Christian Leaders Protest Against New Lockdown Regulations Closing Churches
October 23, 2020, United KingdomThe First Minister of Walse, Mark Drakeford announced a new lockdown from the 23rd of October to the 9th of November, which includes the closing of churches. Christian leaders have raised their voice against the regulations made by the Welsh Government. The Christian leaders argue that the regulations are severely interfering with the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and worship, which are protected under Article 9 of the Human Rights Act.
St. Pantaleon Church in Cologne Threatened and Vandalized for Planing a Screening of a Pro-life Film
October 23, 2020, GermanyThe wall of the St. Pantaleon church in Cologne was vandalized with pink graffiti by unknown pro-choice activists stating threats and symbols. It is assumed that this is linked to the churchs' announced screening of the feature film "Unplanned", a pro-life film. The vandalism happened during the night of October 23rd, which was the evening when "Youth for Life" wanted to screen the film in the parish hall. The threatening graffiti reads:" Abortion opponents we will get you all". The event was cancelled because of the current COVID-19 situation.
Anti-Abortion Slogans On the Facade of St. Matthew's Church in Warsaw
October 23, 2020, PolandUnknown vandals tagged the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Warsaw with anti-abortion slogans saying: "My body ≠ your religion" and "women's hell" on the facade. The incident occurred during the weekend of October 23rd, when the law for abortion in Poland was amended.
Three Churches Targeted for Looting and Vandalism During the Weekend
October 23, 2020, GermanyUnknown perpetrators entered a church in Engelskirchen on the 23rd of October and stole several offering sticks and three money containers. In a church in Lindlar, the vandals forcefully opened another four offering sticks, although they had been empty. In the church St. Laurentius in Lindlar-Hohkeppel, during the weekend unknown perpetrators destroyed several memorial and altar candles, leaving the smashed part in the ground. The police is investigating all three incidents.
Vandals Broke Into the Parish Church St. John the Baptist and Stole Consecrated Hosts
October 23, 2020, CroatiaOn October 23rd in Zadar, vandals broke into the parish of St. John the Baptist and stole consecrated hosts. This kind of vandalism and theft is considered a serious desecration, as the parish announced on its Facebook page. Besides the ideational damage church property itself was also high in numbers. The parish fears that the consecrated hosts are used for satanic rituals. Unfortunately, there have been more thefts of this kind during October in the Zadar area.