All cases
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan Desecrated and Profaned
July 23, 2022, FranceA "gang of young people" desecrated the church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan on 23 July, stealing the ciborium, throwing the consecrated hosts to the ground and attempting to set fire to a statue of the Virgin Mary. A "gang of young people" desecrated the church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan on 23 July, stealing the ciborium, throwing the consecrated hosts to the ground and attempting to set fire to a statue of the Virgin Mary. On the day of the crime, the church had remained open as usual, but now it is closed outside of services," says Marc Olivier, the parishioner who discovered the scene of desolation.
Crowns Stolen From Our Lady of Grace Painting
July 19, 2022, ItalyIn the Church of San Rocco in Santa Croce sull'Arno, the silver crowns that rested on the heads of the image of Our Lady of Grace and the Baby Jesus were stolen by unknown perpetrators. The incident took place on the 19. July and the police are investigating. The vandals also damaged the altar and stained the tablecloth with their footprints.
Group of Young Men Harassed and Humiliated Priest
July 17, 2022, SlovakiaBishop Halko in the city of Pohoda was attacked by a group of drunken young men, who broke bottles, banged on his cabin, and soaked him with water before other people who laughed at the scene. The incident took place during the night and was reported on 17.07.2022. The priest also recalls that the people shouted at him with insults and hung an LGBT Flag on his cottage. It seems that the group attacked the priest after he had expressed his opinion regarding the LGBT movement on TV.
Ukraine: Orthodox Priests Tortured By Russian Forces
July 16, 2022, UkraineDymytrij Rudyuk, the Lviv Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OKU), accused the Russian army and the Moscow Patriarch Cyril of being responsible for torturing Ukrainian Orthodox priests. In an interview, he claimed that "the majority of OKU priests had to flee the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Those who stayed are often tortured. Five Orthodox priests were shot and a priest-monk was cruelly tortured to death".
Serbian Orthodox Cemetery Desecrated in Mostar
July 10, 2022, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDuring the night of July 10, an Orthodox cemetery was desecrated in the Bosnian city of Mostar. Writings on the walls of the cemetery contained threats against Serbs, leading them to report fearing for their safety. This attack was reported to the police and to the Ministry of Internal Affairs by Archpriest Nebojša Radić.
Serbian Cemetery in Mostar Tagged with Hateful Graffiti
July 10, 2022, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDuring the night of 9-10 August, unknown perpetrators vandalised the walls of the Serbian cemetery in Vikhovitchi, Mostar, and wrote on them Ustasha symbols and threats in Croatian against Serbs.
Polish Graves in Belarus Profanated by Belarusian Authorities
July 5, 2022, BelarusThe headquarters of the Home Army Polish soldiers who died in 1944 was destroyed by Belarusian authorities. None of the 22 crosses that stood on the memorial remain standing. Nasz Dziennik, the government plenipotentiary for Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, considered this vandalistic act a provocation to escalate the relations between Poland and Belarus, fearing that this might only be a "prelude to further disgusting acts of provocation". He added that the Belarusian regime means to distance itself from the family of European Christian States, but that the desecration of the graves and destruction of the memorial site will be received with equal indignation both by Poles in Belarus and by Belarusians.
Theft of Hosts and Sacred Object from Church in Baigts-de-Béarn
July 3, 2022, FranceThe parish of Baigts-de-Béarn reports the theft of hosts and a monstrance offered by the Empress Eugénie during the reign of Napoleon III (1851-1870) from the parish during a burglary on the night of 2 to 3 July. The door of the sacristy was broken open and "88 hosts in two boxes" were stolen, among other sacred objects. It is important to not that the Hosts are the most holy for Catholics because they embody the real presence of Christ. They are often stolen by Satanists to perform satanic rituals.
2,000 Euros of Property Damage in St. Pantaleon Church
June 29, 2022, GermanyOn the 29th of June, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., unknown people entered the church of St. Pantaleon in Walpertshofen and vandalized it. First, they damaged the entrance door of the church and inside tore a tile out of the wall. Then, they ripped out the pages from the hymn and prayer books and scattered them through the church. The vandals continued to damage the church by lighting candles and spreading the wax on the floor and on the pews, in addition to knocking over chairs and flowers. They fled the scene leaving significant property damage behind, which is estimated to amount to 2,000 euros. The case was reported to the police who started an investigation to find the perpetrators.
Ancient Christian Cemetery Desecrated, Human Remains Scattered
June 29, 2022, TurkeyOn June 29, an ancient Christian cemetery was found desecrated by local Christians. The graves were damaged, human remains were found scattered, and funerary objects were discovered tarnished across the cemetery complex. It is believed that the perpetrators acted with a bad intention, considering that June 29 is a day dedicated to "the liturgical memory of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, to whom the cemetery chapel was dedicated upon its construction in 1967". The fact that this location was targeted specifically at this time appears to be with the aim of maximizing the impact on local Christians. The vandalistic case was reported to the police and the local Christians hope that they find the vandals and bring them to justice.
150 Graves desecrated and Crosses Stolen
June 18, 2022, FranceDuring the night of 17 to 18 of June, the cemetery of Velsy (Eure) was vandalized. Crosses and other objects were stolen from 150 graves, almost the half in the cemetery. The mayor of the village, Annie Lefèvre, and her first deputy Laurent Lucas were on the spot to see the extent of the damage. They have filed a complaint at the gendarmerie.
Satanic Vandalism of Church in Szczecin
June 16, 2022, PolandOn the night of June 16-17, an unknown perpetrator committed an act of vandalism on the grounds of the parish of St. James the Apostle in Szczecin. The vandal painted a pentagram symbol on the historic door of the Basilica.
Jewels and Relics Stolen from a Church in Drogheda
June 14, 2022, IrelandA man has been charged with stealing relics and jewels and a crucifix from a monstrance in St Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland, on 14 June. The defendant is further accused of damaging the monstrance. He caused 1,000€ worth of damage and is currently in custody.
Four Fires Started Inside Church in Binge
June 10, 2022, BelgiumOn the 10th of June a big fire broke out in the Church of Recollects in Binche that consumed most of the church. The authorities detected three separate fires inside the building, which indicates a willful criminal act. The church was no longer in use but it was protected as a historical monument. After the fire, the authorities had to consider demolishing the building, due to its instability.
Destruction of the Statue of the Virgin Mary in Belchatow
June 8, 2022, PolandOn June 8, Polish local media reported the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary at a memorial plaque commemorating the victims of the September 1939 bombing in the Kluki municipality. An unknown perpetrator destroyed the statue of the Virgin Mary, located in the forest, along the DK 74 road from Belchatow toward Kluki.
Blasphemous Mother of God‘s Image Displayed at LGBT+ Pride March
June 7, 2022, ItalyAt an LGBT+ pride march in Cremona, Italy, participants carried a half-naked mannequin dressed as the "Mother of God". The blasphemous display which took place during the LGBT+ Pride offended many Christians. Bishop of Cremona, Antonio Napolioni commented on the incident: "They do not fulfill any educational role, they do not communicate any values or rights. Their presence is a gesture that serves no one, but it hurts many people."
Church Repeatedly Vandalized and Desecrated by Teenagers
June 7, 2022, ItalyPolice were working to identify three teenagers, dressed in black, who targeted the Santo Crocifisso in Meda with vandalism and sacrilegious gestures. In this incident, around the 5th of June, they smoked and urinated in the church and then returned days later to knock over some chairs. They were confronted by the volunteers that work there but managed to disappear. The same had happened already in May.
Religious Items Stolen from Bamberg Monastery
June 5, 2022, GermanyThieves, who have not been identified, stole a priest's robe and a monstrance from a monastery in Bamberg. The theft was noticed on the 5th of June and the value of the items is around 15,000 euros. The monstrance, which is used to present the holy Eucharist, is around 75 cm tall and close to 32 cm wide. The Police were investigating the crime.
Young People Broke Into and Profaned Church in L'Aquila
June 3, 2022, ItalyIt was reported on June 3rd, that young people entered the monastery of Sand Basilio in L'Aquila, disturbed the sisters sleeping there and profaned the confessional. First, two boys entered the convent and tried to force open the door of an elderly nun. Later during the night, a young man and woman were seen naked, and running from the confessional after allegedly having sex. The cloistered sisters were scared by the incidents and called the carabinieri who then investigated.
Sacred Items Stolen from Church in Fécamp
June 1, 2022, FranceDuring the night of June 1st, thieves forced open the door of the abbey church of Sainte-Trinité in Fécamp, and stole a sacred item kept in the sacristy. They took two vials containing "Precious Blood" which is believed to be from Jesus when he was crucified. Bishop of Le Havre, Mgr Jean-Luc Brunin, lamented: "This theft is an unbearable attack on the faith of all people who remember the Salvation obtained by the sacrifice of Christ."
Vandals Ransacked Church interior in Meda
May 30, 2022, ItalyUnknown vandals entered the Santo Crocifisso Church in Meda and ransacked the inside on May 30th. They overturned chairs, sprayed disinfectant everywhere, and threw that brass altar cross onto the floor which bent it, causing damage. The local police started an investigation into the crime using video from surveillance cameras.
Extensive Vandalism and Desecration to a Schömberg Church
May 29, 2022, GermanyThe Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Schömberg experienced an extensive vandalistic attack on May 29th. Paper towels were strewn all over the floor and one was used to snuff out the eternal light. The altar cloth was left soiled and crumpled, and evidence suggested that the altar was walked on. The unknown intruder had also urinated in the baptismal font. Those who take care of the church were shocked by the incident.
Attempted Arson at Church Choir in Paris
May 28, 2022, FranceOn the 28 of May, an individual tried to set fire to the choir of the church of Sainte Odile in the 17th district of Paris. The mayor of the district, Geoffroy Boulard, posted on Twitter: "I condemn the desecration of the church of St. Odilia with a fire in the choir. The worst avoided thanks to the reaction of the parish staff and the police who quickly arrested the individual. I renew my support to Father Biaggi whom I spoke to on the phone."
Extreme Vandalism and Property Damage to Church in Barrhead
May 27, 2022, United KingdomIn a series of break-ins at the former South and Levern Church, more than £50,000 of damage was caused by unknown vandals. In the latest act of vandalism on the 27th of May, the organ was destroyed and radiators were torn off the walls. Although the church has been closed, it is still a sight that carries religious sentiment for many people.
Statue of Madonna Taken from Chapel in Maccarese
May 26, 2022, ItalyOn May 26th, a statue of Madonna was stolen from the Blessed Virgin Mary chapel in Maccarese. The statue is not of great material value, but its spiritual value to the religious community is immense. The Diocese condemned the gesture "In reparation for the offense to the Mother of God and in prayer for the conversion of the hearts of the perpetrators of the crime."
Electric Scooter Entered Basilica During Mass
May 26, 2022, SpainDavid Moreno, a spokesman for VOX Talavera, requested that the driver of the electric scooter, which entered the Basilica of Our Lady of the Prado in Talavera, be identified and charged. He explained that the "offensive acts like this cannot be allowed," and that the driver should be charged with crimes against religious freedom and disrespect of religious sentiment. He said: "no prank justifies disrespect for a Catholic temple, attacking religious sentiments."
Small Chapel Destroyed in Marghera, Venice
May 26, 2022, ItalyThe mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, posted a picture on his Twitter on the 26. May that showed an oratory that had been vandalized in Marghera. The oratory was in Piazzale Giovannacci on the corner with Via Ulloa in Marghera. He also indicated that the perpetrator had been identified by the local Police.
Perpetrators Steal Organ Key, Try to Open Sacrificial Box and Soil Statue in Church
May 25, 2022, GermanyBetween the 21st and 25th of May, unknown intruders broke into the sacristy of the St. Jakobus Church in Sögel. They stole the organ key and hygrometer, but were unsuccessful in an attempt to break open the sacrificial box. The property damage was around 100 euros, and they also soiled a statue. An investigation was started by the police who needed more information.
Saint Statues Decapitated and Damaged in Marseille Church
May 25, 2022, FranceA judicial inquiry was opened into an incident on the 25th of May in which four Statues in the Saint-Henri church in Marseille were damaged, two of the statues were decapitated. Father Gabriel Priou, said, “There was no Eucharistic profanation, but the statues have been defaced." He continued, “A fact like this impacts the Christian community because the church is its home.”
18 Graves Vandalised at Cemetery and Knocked Down Crosses
May 23, 2022, FranceBetween the 22 to 23 May, 18 graves were vandalized or damaged in the cemetery of Rocquemont, a commune located between Rouen and Saint-Saëns. The perpetrators damaged ornamental plaques, decorations and flower pots. A person who lives near the cemetery heard the noise that night and reported it.
Thieves Break in and Steal Consecrated Hosts in Guia
May 21, 2022, ItalyHosts were stolen from the Ancient Church of San Gregorio in Valdobbiadene on May 21st. The side door of the church was forced open and then the intruder opened the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts. Fr Romeo Penon, parish priest of Valdobbiadene, said: "It is a sacrilege, we fear that they are destined for black masses or séances"
Orthodox Church seized and raided by armed group
May 21, 2022, UkraineA Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ivankov (Kyiv region) was raided by unidentified armed persons. The perpetrators cut down the lock of the church and raided the interior, expelling the parishioners and the priest. When the clergy of the church tried to file a crime report, the police refused to take it seriously. It was the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sacrilegious Theft in Capergnanica Church
May 20, 2022, ItalyA bas-relief of the Madonna with Child was stolen from the altar of the parish church in Capergnanica. The priest, don Andrea Rusconi, thought the sacrilegious theft happened on the 20th of May despite it being reported the next day. The church is typically left open even when there is no mass for the faithful to come and pray.
Repeated Hateful Vandalism in Schöppingen Church
May 18, 2022, GermanyActs of vandalism and disrespect repeatedly took place in the St. Brictius Church in Schöppingen. It was reported on May 18th that vandals had lit prayer notes and placed them under benches, put lighted candles under holy water fonts, and used sacrificial candles to "play football" in the church square. These were only some of the things that were happening and Sexton Andreas Kortüm pleaded with the parishioners to help stop it.
Tabernacle Stolen and Hosts Scattered in French Church
May 18, 2022, FranceThe tabernacle was stolen from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Amiens on May 18th. The perpetrators entered the church when it was empty and did not only steal the tabernacle but also scattered the consecrated hosts on the floor. The priest only saw the desecration after he was alerted.
Statue of Madonna Stolen form Palidoro Church
May 18, 2022, ItalyOn May 18th, the statue of Madonna that is usually in front of the Santi Filippo e Giacomo church in Palidoro was stolen. The parish priest Don Roberto Leoni reported the incident but it remained unknown who committed the theft. The priest said: "Such a silly, bad gesture, offensive towards the Mother of the Lord and towards all her children, who are not few."
Sacred Objects Stolen from Sacristy of Church in Clamecy
May 18, 2022, FrancePerpetrators forced their way through the front door of the Collégiale Saint-Martin Church in Clamecy on May 18th and then entered the sacristy. When they left, they took with them chalices, a monstrance, and a censor. It was not known who the burglars were.
Vandalism and Several Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Luneburg
May 17, 2022, GermanyDuring the night of May 17th, unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Michaelis Church in Luneburg and stole two silver wine jugs, a host's tin box and two patrons. While in the church, they broke several doors and the property damage and stolen items amounted to a cost of several thousand euros. They left the church unnoticed and the police were asking the public for information.
Statue of Madonna Vandalized in Dortmund Church
May 16, 2022, GermanyThe wooden statue of Madonna and Child in Dortmund's Propstei Church, once again had wax poured over it from the sacrificial candles on May 16th. The statue is from the 15th century so will now have to be restored in a special workshop. The church was considering using lights without wax to prevent this crime from happening again but they still wanted to keep the church open for all.
Half-Naked Protesters Wear Religious Symbols in Front of Churches
May 16, 2022, SpainThe police in Spain had to stop a protest that was taking place at the door of the church "Virgen de la Luz" in Cuenca, in which several half-naked women were wearing religious symbols. This was reported on the 16th of May by the online news "El Debate". Later on, "Abogados Cristianos" opened proceedings against the group for hurting religious feelings, after the same incident took place in other churches.
Arson and Desecration in Romsthal Church
May 10, 2022, GermanyOn May 10th, a church on Kirchstrasse in Romsthal was the victim of an arson attempt. The criminals set fire to several parish letters under a stool and burned some prayer texts near the altar. In addition, they knocked over an offering box, and some candles, and spread the wax over the floor. The fire was out by the time it was discovered and the property damage was around 150 euros but could have been much more. The police were looking for witnesses.
Church in Rotherham Trashed by Illegal Party
May 10, 2022, United KingdomOn May 10th, vandals broke into the Rotherham Church and trashed the interior. They drank wine and left broken bottles everywhere as well as destroying the church-run nursery which is used to help single mothers with childcare. The incident forced the nursery to close for a week.
Bad Wörishofen Cementery Ransacked by Vandals
May 10, 2022, GermanyUnknown vandals have rioted in the cemetery of Bad Wörishof and knocked over a large gravestone. The cemetery caretaker, Frank Stehr, says that the cemetery is the target of thieves and vandals almost every day. He says flowers and grave arrangements or even gravestones are stolen regularly. "Again and again, people come to me and report that they have lost various such objects," he reports. Still, the last incident was unprecedented. "It was vandalism in its purest form," said Stehr.
Destruction of Tombs and Crosses in Piekary Śląskie Cemetery
May 8, 2022, PolandAround 30 graves were destroyed by unknown vandals in the St. Józef cemetery of Piekary Śląskie on May 8th. Tombstones were pushed over and crosses were broken in an act that showed complete disrespect for a place that is sacred to so many. The crime was investigated with the support of forensic technicians who were trying identify the villains.
Satanist Profanation of Cementery in Chișinău
May 6, 2022, MoldovaOn May 6, 20 crosses and 70 funeral wreaths were set on fire at the St. Lazarus Cemetery in Chișinău, Moldova. Law enforcement officials found evidence of a satanic"ritual" at the site. The following May 13, a 35-year-old man was arrested for the theft of an electric bicycle in the capital - he was linked to these acts of desecration and indicted. He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of over 3,000 euros.
Sacred Pictures of Saints in Milazzo Ruined with Knife
May 1, 2022, ItalyPictures in the Madonna del Lume church of Milazzo were ruined by an unknown individual who cut them with a sharp object on the 1st of May. It was a series of ten prints including pictures of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, the statue of St. Rita, and one of Madonna del Carmelo. The pictures were slashed through the middle and the mayor of the city said of the act: "This gesture was made by people who disgust me."
Glindenberg Church Devastated by Vandals
April 28, 2022, GermanyThe St. Nikolai Church of Glindenberg was devastated on April 28th and had to be closed as a result. The inside of the church was devastated: the altar cross was torn off as well hymn books were left in the streets with their pages torn out. The police were looking for the perpetrators.
Satanic Graffiti and Desecration in Graz Church
April 28, 2022, AustriaSatanic graffiti appeared in the St. Vincent church in Graz on the 28th of April. The word Satan, upside-down crosses, and the Antichrist number 666 were painted with red spray paint on the walls and altar of the church. The vandals also sprayed an angel's face red and burnt a bible. The Priest, Wolfgang Pucher commented, "It's just unbelievable."
Jesus and Saint Statues Broken and Chapel Vandalized
April 28, 2022, PolandA chapel near the village of Pokrzywna was the victim of a vandalistic attack that left a statue of Christ ruined. In the past years, this statue has been targeted, but on the 28th of April, both its legs were broken off just below the knee. A statue of Mother Biska was also torn out and thrown into a stream and a small piggy bank was stolen. The crime was reported to the police but due to the absence of security cameras, the perpetrators may be difficult to identify.
1500 Euro Worth Destruction and Vandalism in Attendorn Cathedral
April 26, 2022, GermanyThe police were called to investigate a crime in the St. John the Baptist church in Attendorn on April 26th. The church said that the destruction was done to candlesticks, the Agatha altar, a holy water font, parts of a bench, and a disinfectant dispenser. Books and writings were also thrown around. The damage, around 1,500 euros, was thought to have been done by a slim young man, with dark hair, between the ages of 15 and 20.