All cases

Filtered by: Desecration

Man breaks statue in Saint Jean-Baptiste church "in the name of Allah"

February 2, 2024, France

A man entered Saint Jean-Baptiste church and violently attacked the statue of John the Baptist using a crucifix. The statue, made of plaster, was completely broken and the crucifix was badly damaged.

Vandalism and Desecration of Eucharist in Church

January 31, 2024, Italy

Thieves broke into the Church of Saint Mary of the Carmine in Lecce and stole money, desecrated the Eucharist kept in the tabernacle, and turned various sacred furnishings into corpses.

Basque Protest Group Interrupts Mass and Vandalises Churches

January 21, 2024, Spain

Members of "Defentsa Komunitatea", a youth section of the Basque independence and nationalist movement, interrupted a mass throwing leaflets and fake money. During the last weeks some churches in Azpeitia and Beasain, as well as churches in Lasao, Arroa and Aizarna, have also been vandalized by members of that same group.

Hosts and sacred objects stolen

January 8, 2024, Italy

On January 8, between 2am and 4am, thieves broke into the sanctuary of Beata Vergine dell'Olmo in Portomaggiore, Italy, and stole hosts, sacred objects, video and sound equipment, and damaged the interior of the church. When the parish priest, Don Ugo Berti, went to prepare for the first mass of the day at 6.30am he found the church door open. At first he thought it was an accident, but then he saw that the entrance had been forced open in several places. He quickly alerted the authorities. "I am afraid it was a theft on behalf of Satanists: the hosts could be used to celebrate black masses," the parish priest said.

St. Mary's Church Vandalized with anti-Christian Graffiti in Cologne

December 5, 2023, Germany

At the beginning of December, for example, the pilgrimage church of St Mary in Kupfergasse in Cologne was the victim of an attack in which the perpetrators left eclectic messages on the walls of the chapel of grace, ranging from utter nonsense to "666" and "Allah Akbar" (sic): pure provocation that has nothing to do with either genuine Satanism or Islamism.

UPDATE: ECHR Dismisses Case of Host Desecration in Spain

November 30, 2023, Spain

Back in 2018, the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the help of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), following the theft and host desecration by the “artist” Abel Azcona. Now, the ECHR has declared the application inadmissible.

Statue of Infant Jesus Beheaded in St. Johann Church in Saarbrücken

November 27, 2023, Germany

On November 27, unknown perpetrators vandalized the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Saarbrücken. A statue of Infant Jesus has been beheaded and the statute of Mary, holding the infant, was also damaged. Later on, a 44-year-old woman was identified as the perpetrator.

Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Nürnberg

November 24, 2023, Germany

Sacred objects worth over 1800 euros have disappeared from the St Jakob's Protestant Church in Nürnberg. The theft was noticed in autumn by a group of visitors, who realised that the angel statues, which were normally holding religious symbols in their hands, were now standing there empty-handed. The religious symbols which have been stolen are a Christ monogram, a cross and symbols of scourge, crown of thorns, hammer and nails.

Man Desecrates Altar by Having Intercourse and Filming Act

November 22, 2023, Germany

On November 22, a legal procedure was started against a man from Rosenheim who had sexual intercourse with his wife near the altar of a church in Schechen and filmed the act. "In order to respect the religious feelings of the faithful, such a desecration must be remedied by a penitential ceremony in accordance with the liturgical rules," explained a spokesperson for the responsible archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Scandiano Church Vandalized and Statue of Mary Beheaded

November 13, 2023, Italy

A man devastated the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Scandiano, causing thousands of euros worth of damage. He vandalized the walls, furniture, and statues, including breaking off the head of a statue of Mary. The individual destroyed sacred objects and broke open the tabernacle to throw the host on the ground. The police were able to identify the perpetrator. The 53-year-old from Modena was consequently reported for aggravated damage.