All cases

Woman stabbed by knife attacker during Mass at an Irish Church

July 21, 2026, Ireland

On 21 July 2026, a woman was the victim of a vicious knife attack during prayer before Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Tramore. While investigations are still ongoing, the reports state the assailant is known to police as having mental health issues. As the community deals with the shock of the incident, the Diocese has asked the people to pray for the victim's recovery.

Student in Hamm arrested for planning ISIS-inspired arson attack on Christian church

July 21, 2026, Germany

Reports published in July 2026 revealed that a 16-year-old from Hamm had been arrested in April on suspicion of planning an arson attack on an independent Christian church on behalf of the so-called Islamic State. According to the prosecution, the teenager had scouted the church as a target but was arrested before he could carry out the attack. The reported targeting of a Christian place of worship indicates a planned religiously motivated terrorist attack.

Catholic religion teacher in Belgium receives threats after conversion from Islam

June 30, 2026, Belgium

In June 2026, Ahmed Yetrib, a Catholic religion teacher in the Charleroi region and convert from Islam to the Catholic faith, reported receiving threats on social media because of his online content sharing the reasons for his conversion. The report concerns alleged harassment which has caused concern for his personal safety, further highlighting the difficulties experienced by individuals converting from Islam to Christianity.

Elderly parishioner assaulted and robbed inside Cathedral in Saint-Étienne

June 8, 2026, France

On 9 June, a 78-year-old parishioner was violently assaulted inside Saint-Charles Cathedral in Saint-Étienne while reading notices in the entrance hall. The assailant forcibly stole her necklace before fleeing the scene. The attack left the victim severely shocked, prompting a police investigation and strong reactions from the diocese which condemned the assault on the elderly worshipper inside the church.

Priest Held Captive During Robbery at Church and Parish House in Portugal

May 27, 2026, Portugal

A priest was held captive for around 90 minutes after three assailants broke into a church and parish house in Cantanhede, Portugal. The attackers threatened the priest, demanded money and valuables, and stole a laptop before fleeing.

Two Catholic fraternity students seriously injured in attack in Innsbruck

May 25, 2026, Austria

Two members of the Catholic student fraternity Rudolfina Wien were assaulted, robbed and seriously injured during an attack in Innsbruck in which the perpetrators allegedly shouted “Antifa”. The Austrian Cartell Association (ÖCV) condemned the incident as part of a broader pattern of hostility and violence targeting Catholic and conservative student associations.

Steel and Plastic Balls Fired at Church During Service

May 17, 2026, Germany

During a Catholic service at the Holy Spirit Church in Hanau, unknown persons fired steel and plastic balls at the building, shattering several windows while around 200 worshippers were inside. One person stated that they had been hit by glass splinters.

Suspected Arson at Parish Hall in Tergnier While Children Inside Building

May 6, 2026, France

A fire broke out at the “Père Jean-Marie Hamel” parish hall in Tergnier, Aisne, on 6 May 2026 while around thirty children were inside attending a religious retreat. The incident is being treated as suspected arson, and two men were taken into police custody as witnesses reported their presence at the scene shortly before the fire.

Nun Assaulted and Cross Torn Off in Religious Hate Incident in Bielsk Podlaski

May 5, 2026, Poland

A nun was violently attacked at a bus stop in Bielsk Podlaski when a man approached her, insulted her, and forcibly tore a cross from her neck before throwing it to the ground. The suspect fled but was later arrested by police and is under investigation.

Man charged with assault of priest during Mass at Ennis Cathedral

April 20, 2026, Ireland

A man assaulted a Catholic priest during Mass at St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in Ennis, causing facial injuries and damaging personal property. The incident involved physical violence and disruption of worship in front of members of the congregation. The suspect has been charged and appeared before court.

Pastor’s Home in Cottbus Targeted in Political Vandalism Attack

April 17, 2026, Germany

The residence of a local lutheran pastor in Cottbus was deliberately targeted in a vandalism attack with a suspected right-extremist background. Perpetrators allegedly broke into the residential building, rioted in the staircase, kicked an apartment door and left stickers with right-wing symbols and inscriptions on the mailbox of the pastor, who is known for his political left-wing activism.

Man Violently Assaults Christian Woman After Asking Her Religion

April 11, 2026, Spain

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Barcelona after allegedly assaulting a woman while also insulting her as “Christian whore”. The attack took place in the early hours near La Rambla after the suspect asked the victim about her religion.

Man arrested after axe attack allegedly stated “All Christians must die”

April 7, 2026, Spain

A man of Maghrebi origin was arrested in Montefrío, Granada, after attacking several neighbours with an axe. During the subsequent arrest, he allegedly stated “All Christians must die” and “I have felt the call of Allah”. The Civil Guard has stepped up its presence in the town to prevent further disturbances as investigations whether the attack was religiously motivated are ongoing. The victims suffered head and hand injuries.

Man enters church in Arpajon shouting “Allah akbar” and shoves worshipper

April 4, 2026, France

A man entered Saint-Clément Church in Arpajon, France, during Easter weekend, shouting “Allah akbar” before knocking over objects and physically pushing a worshipper. The incident involved disruption of worship and physical aggression inside a place of worship. The suspect was arrested by police at the scene.

Explosion Targets Nijkerk Christian Pro-Israel Center Ahead of Easter

April 3, 2026, Netherlands

On 03 April 2026, an explosive device was detonated outside the Israel Centre operated by Christians for Israel in Nijkerk, the Netherlands.The attack occurred on the eve of Easter, a timing the Christian organisation described as particularly significant and disturbing.

Two Ukrainian Orthodox Churches Attacked on Good Friday

April 3, 2026, Ukraine

On Good Friday, April 3, 2026, Russian forces attacked two Ukrainian Orthodox churches: the Cathedral of the Intercession of St. Nicholas in Druzhkivka and the Greek-Sophia Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kherson.

Oviedo Easter Procession Disturbed With Insults

April 3, 2026, Spain

On 3 April 2026, two men were arrested in Oviedo after disrupting a Holy Week procession and engaging in aggressive behaviour toward police. The incident involved verbal hostility indicating radical religious motives toward the event and escalated into physical violence.

Attempted abduction of seminary student near Pochaiv Lavra

March 16, 2026, Ukraine

A group of about 15 people allegedly tried to forcibly detain a seminary student and drag him into a minibus by force.

Paper Bomb Causes Damage to Church in Lusia

March 1, 2026, Italy

A paper bomb struck the Church of Saints Vito and Modesto (Lusia), in an act of vandalism similar to a previous incident near the Church of San Biagio in Lendinara.

Police Investigate Suspected Arson at Loiret Church

February 15, 2026, France

A fire on the altar of Chécy’s parish church in Loiret, France, prompted a police inquiry into suspected arson.