All cases
Tabernacle forcibly removed and consecrated hosts scattered outside church in Guitiriz
September 19, 2026, SpainOn 19 September, unknown individuals forcibly removed and opened the tabernacle of the parish church of Santa Maria de Lagostelle in Guitiriz, stealing the ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The hosts were subsequently scattered outside the church, while the silver ciborium remained missing. The incident constitutes desecration and sacrilegious theft and was condemned by the Diocese as a direct affront against the Eucharist and the centre of the Catholic faith.
Crosses broken and Catholic graves targeted at Moselle cemetery
September 15, 2026, FranceAn unprecedented act of vandalism occurred on the night of 14 to 15 September, where a woman vandalised almost 100 gravestones in Maizières-lès-Metz Cemetery in Moselle. Gravestones were defaced, with countless crosses and crucifixes found broken and tossed onto the surrounding property. Police are investigating whether the gravestones of Catholics were specifically targeted on the basis of religion. The local community, officials, and diocese expressed deep sadness and outrage at what they believed to be a direct attack on the respect due to the dead, a religious site, and communal unity. On 25 September, the Diocese of Metz organised a time of prayer for all the deceased whose graves were desecrated.
Desecration in Noia
September 7, 2026, SpainAccording to a report from 18 September, a Mass of Reparation and Atonement was held in Noia after five unknown perpetrators entered the Church of San Martiño, opened the tabernacle and stole two ciboria containing consecrated hosts. Both the parish priest and the bishop expressed deep pain of the community over the attack on what is considered most sacred to the Catholic faith, yet appealed to respond with fatih, worship, love, and prayer for the perpetrators.
Bishop Condemns Deliberate Desecration of Pavia Cemetery Chapel
August 29, 2026, ItalyBetween 28 and 29 August 2026, unknown perpetrators broke into the Chapel of San Giovannino Cemetery in Pavia, forced open the tabernacle and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. Several hosts were found on the floor, while others were recovered inside the chapel during a subsequent police inspection. The incident was described by the Bishop as a “very serious act of sacrilege” and prompted a Mass of reparation, and prayers for repentance of the perpetrators.
Third Theft of Consecrated Hosts; Potential Occult Motive Investigated
August 29, 2026, ItalyOn 29 August 2026, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts was stolen from Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Scordia, making the incident the latest of three sacrilegious thefts reported within a few days at churches in different parts of Italy. The three cases involved either consecrated hosts or a tabernacle, and authorities are investigating whether they could be connected, including the possibility of an occult motive. The theft caused deep distress within the local Christian community and prompted the bishop to call for prayers of reparation and Eucharistic adoration.
Vandals desecrate tabernacle and ransack convent during Pope's visit in San Marino
August 22, 2026, San MarinoOn 22 August, sacrilegious desecration and vandalism struck the Convent of the Servite Fathers of Valdragone during Pope Leo XIV's visit to San Marino. During the incident, the perpetrators entered the chapel, forced open the tabernacle, and, removing the ciborium, scattered the consecrated hosts outside. Members of the local community were shocked and spoke of an "extremely serious" violation of the local church.
Fifth Church Desecrated in Series of Incidents in Indre-et-Loire
August 21, 2026, FranceOn 21 August, Saint-Joseph Church in Joué-lès-Tours became the fifth church in the Indre-et-Loire region to fall victim to vandalism in one month. In the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the tabernacle was forced open and consecrated hosts were found scattered on the floor. The incident has forced the church to close temporarily and caused strong emotions among the local Catholic community, which spoke of an attack on the faith and the faithful. The Diocese was prompted to announce a Mass of reparation.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen in Sacrilegious Church Burglary
August 18, 2026, ItalyOn 18 August 2026, the Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire in Oggiona con Santo Stefano was broken into and sacred objects, including a ciborium containing consecrated hosts, were stolen. The theft caused deep sadness among parishioners and affected objects of particular religious and devotional significance to the local community.
Vandals ransack and desecrate Sanctuary in Brusimpiano
August 17, 2026, ItalyOn 17 August 2026, consecrated hosts were stolen from the tabernacle of the Sanctuary di Ardena in Brusimpiano after it was forced open during a break-in. The hosts were subsequently found scattered on the floor, while sacred furnishings and other objects were also damaged and stolen, constituting a sacrilegious theft and desecration.
Consecrated Host Stolen from Church, Raising Fears of Black Mass
August 15, 2026, FranceOn 15 August 2026, the tabernacle was smashed open at Saint-Quintien Church in Lieusaint and a lunette containing a consecrated host was stolen. The incident resulted in the suspension of Sunday Masses and the announcement of a Mass of Reparation, significantly affecting the local Catholic community.
Recurring Vandalism, Desecrations and Thefts Force Churches to Restrict Opening Hours
August 14, 2026, ItalyAccording to a report from 14 August 2026, several churches in the Diocese of Reggio Emilia have recently experienced thefts, vandalism, and attempted desecration, including an unsuccessful attempt to force open a tabernacle. The repeated incidents have led to restrictions on church opening hours, affecting access to places of prayer and causing concern within the religious community and their historic and artistic heritage.
Two churches targeted in sacrilegious thefts
August 13, 2026, ItalyOn the night of 12 to 13 August 2026, the Sanctuary of Madonna in Pratis in Rudiano was burgled and desecrated, with consecrated hosts and two chalices stolen. Another parish, Madonna della Rotonda in Pumenengo was also targeted that same night. The local community announced support for the Christian community and the parish priest called for a Mass of reparation following the desecration.
Columbarium vandalised and cremated ashes scattered at Belgian cemetery
August 7, 2026, BelgiumReported on 7 August 2026, the columbarium at Sy Cemetery in Ferrières was vandalised, with several niches damaged and some urns opened, causing cremated remains to be scattered inside and around the cemetery. The incident caused significant distress in the community; affected families were notified and psychological support was arranged. The municipal authorities announced that a criminal complaint would be filed.
Tabernacle removed and consecrated hosts scattered outside church in Cattolica
August 7, 2026, ItalyOn 7 August 2026, an act of sacrilegious theft and desecration was discovered at the Church of San Giorgio in Conca, belonging to the Parish of Santa Maria di Nazareth in Cattolica. Unknown perpetrators removed the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts contained inside, which were subsequently found scattered outside the church. The carabinieri opened an investigation into the incident which targeted objects of central religious significance, and deeply affected the Catholic community.
Church in Parada de Ribeira Desecrated
August 7, 2026, SpainOn 7 August 2026, the parish church of San Salvador de Parada de Ribeira in Xinzo de Limia was broken into and desecrated, with the tabernacle forced open and consecrated hosts removed. The incident, which was regarded as a profanation of "extraordinary gravity," caused considerable distress in the parish and led to a penitential rite and purification of the church before worship could resume.
Man targets churches in Hampshire with occult symbols
August 3, 2026, United KingdomAccording to a report from 3 August 2026, a 48-year-old man found guilty of aggravated religious harassment after targeting several churches in the New Forest area of Hampshire, leaving animal remains with occult symbols at or inside places of worship, and in front of places of devotion between February and August 2025. The offences greatly disturbed the church communities.
Church Desecrated Following Series of Vandalism and Verbal Abuse
August 1, 2026, SpainSanta Margarita María de Alacoque Parish in Madrid was burglarised and desecrated after intruders forced open two tabernacles, damaged the church and discarded a relic of the parish's patron saint. The incident followed months of reported vandalism and disruptions, including verbal abuse during mass, affecting the parish community
Altar Desecrated and Relics Taken From Church
July 30, 2026, GermanyUnknown perpetrators broke into St Martinus Church in Neuss-Holzheim, stole a Missal and relics of St Martin from inside the church altar, damaging the altar. The burglary caused limited material damage but a significant religious loss, requiring the altar to be blessed before it could again be used for worship.
Update: Perpetrator of Medjugorje Vandalism Identified
July 28, 2026, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn the night of 27 to 28 July 2026, a scandalous desecration occurred on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje. Among the offences, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was tagged with a blasphemous inscription, the altar of St James' church was set on fire, and a banner with aggressive messaging to the Medjugorje seers was hung up. Police have identified a Polish national who had been a pilgrim at Medjugorje back in 2017, but since then his life had taken a difficult turn "personally and spiritually". The local Catholic community have responded urging for prayers and forgiveness for the suspect, rather than judgement.
Third Church Targeted This Week: Tabernacle Desecrated and Excrement Left Inside Saint-Symphorien
July 27, 2026, FranceOn the night of 26 to 27 July 2026, the church of Saint-Symphorien in Chambray-lès-Tours was left desecrated and vandalised, the third church in the Indre-et-Loire region to be targeted this week. Unknown perpetrators entered the church, opened the tabernacle and threw consecrated hosts from the ciborium on the floor along and left excrement inside the church, the Diocese of Tours stated.