All cases

Cross and vestments vandalised in Grein church

September 22, 2026, Austria

On 22 September, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Stadtpfarrkirche in Grein, scattering items from the confessional, prayer books, devotional images of saints and seat cushions throughout the church. The baptismal font was damaged, while a broken cross and two of the priest’s stoles were placed in the holy-water basin.

Church near Brussels closes due to slew of vandalism

September 19, 2026, Belgium

According to a report from 19 September, St. Anne's Church in Auderghem has decided to close its doors and cease services after repeated acts of vandalism. The church council made the decision due to the incessant attacks on the historic building over the spring and summer of 2026. The measure is very shocking to the community, who relied on the church as an accessible and open place of worship.

Attack on Catholic Clinic in Flensburg

September 17, 2026, Germany

According to a report from 17 September, a Catholic clinic in Flensburg has been targeted in an attack by unknown protesters who have smeared the entrance of the hospital with a pro-abortionist inscription, as well as vandalising an information board. The perpetrators also left hangers at the entrance, which is used as a political symbol by pro-abortionists. The report identifies all the actions as directly targeting the attitude of the Catholic hospital, since it no longer performed abortion procedures.

Crosses broken and Catholic graves targeted at Moselle cemetery

September 15, 2026, France

An 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.

Church in Haar is attacked during slew of arson attempts

September 14, 2026, Germany

As reported on 15 September, there have been five serious cases of attempted arson in Munich, where unknown individuals have thrown fireworks into several buildings, including the Church of St. Boniface, in Haar, wherein children were being blessed at the time of the incident. Police are now investigating potential suspects.

Vandals smash statue of Virgin Mary at historic chapel

September 14, 2026, Poland

A report from 15 September described two incidents of vandalism targeting the same historical chapel at the intersection of a public street. The unknown perpetrators smashed and poured paint over a statue of the Virgin Mary, damaging the pedestal, the interior of the nice, and the glass. Local residents and the parish priest were left shocked by the incident, which they described as a clear act of blasphemy.

Arsonist Destroys Historic Crucifix in Lucka

September 11, 2026, Germany

A historic crucifix was set on fire with the figure of Jesus being completely destroyed in a Lutheran church in Lucka. Many parts of church furnishings were severely damaged, in particular around the sanctuary and including the altar, which was defaced with swastikas and other symbols. The person suspected of setting the fire was identified quickly after the crime occurred and an investigation into the crime is ongoing.

Greek Catholic Parish targeted with arson and anti-Ukrainian graffiti

September 5, 2026, Poland

On 5 September, unknown individuals set fire to vegetation on the grounds of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish in Legnica, damaging part of the property. At approximately the same time, anti-Ukrainian inscriptions were also reported nearby, prompting the Ukrainian Consulate to ask authorities to investigate the motivations behind the incidents, and emphasising that attacks on Ukrainians, religious groups, and places of worship are unacceptable. The incident, which is not the first to target the Ukrainian Catholic community, caused significant emotional distress to the community.

Priest appeals for help as crucifix is defaced

September 2, 2026, Italy

As reported on 2 September, the crucifix in the Church of the Nativity of San Giovanni Battista in Mezzolombardo was recently defaced. The parish priest announced the defacement which caused bitterness in the community, and appealed for the creation of a new crucifix as a sign of unity.

Crucifix in the Chapel of Santa Croce broken to pieces

September 1, 2026, Italy

On 1 September, the Chapel of Santa Croce al Piano in Colognola ai Colli was subjected to a serious act of vandalism that caused damage to furnishings, religious images, and sacred art; most notably to a crucifix which was found smashed. A man was detained in connection with the serious incident, which affected a place of worship particularly dear to the local community, arousing "indignation" over the acts.

Vandalism and Harassment of the faithful Leads to Church Closure

September 1, 2026, Italy

According to reports from 1 September, a group of young people repeatedly caused disturbances at the church in Lunetta, including entering the building and blaspheming at the faithful who were praying; littering and causing damage to the churchyard. The parish responded by closing the church during the mornings until the reopening of schools, citing the need to protect the faithful and prevent further vandalism.

Two suspected arson attempts at Saint-Martin Church

September 1, 2026, France

According to reports from 1 September, two fires were deliberately started inside the Saint-Martin Church in Templeuve-en-Pévèle, Nord on 31 August. The fires caused only minor damage, according to the available reporting, but the circumstances indicate a deliberate arson attempt targeting of the church. A social media post described the incident as an attack on a place of worship that insults the common identity and history of the community.

Vandals tear Christ figure off tabernacle in church vandalism

August 30, 2026, Germany

On 30 August, St. George's Church in Reichmannshausen was vandalised. The church's religious symbols were targeted, with a figure of Christ torn from the tabernacle, a crucifix destroyed, along with the oil from several candles being spilled in the church.

Religious statues smashed at two wayside chapels in Mazovia

August 30, 2026, Poland

On 30 August 2026, a 21-year-old man vandalised two Catholic wayside chapels in Zygmunty and nearby Przyłęk, damaging religious images and statues and breaking windows and doors. He was arrested, admitted for the offence and was charged with insulting a place intended for the public performance of religious rites; the incident involved deliberate destruction of sacred objects and caused damage to two places of worship.

Altar destroyed and Statue Smashed in Bari Chapel

August 29, 2026, Italy

On 29 August 2026, unknown perpetrators vandalised a Catholic cemetery chapel in Bari, completely destroying its altar and smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary. An empty tabernacle and priestly vestments were also stolen, causing deep pain within the local Catholic community, particularly as the incident occurred shortly before the chapel's patronal feast.

Parish of San Nicolás demands action after ongoing acts of vandalism

August 27, 2026, Spain

On 27 August, the Parish of San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir, known as the Sistine Chapel in Valencia, raised concerns over repeated vandalism and deterioration affecting the property and surroundings of the historic church, including human and animal waste littered on its walls.

Catholic Sanctuary vandalised with satanic graffiti and destroyed statue

August 27, 2026, Italy

In August, the rural St. Helena Sanctuary in Siniscola was profanely vandalised with satanic graffiti, and a statue of Saint Helena smashed, along with various other furnishings damaged. The incident constituted a sacrilegious insult to a historic place of worship which served for generations as the centre of local communal devotion.

Sixth Criminal Incursion into Churches in Indre-et-Loire in one month

August 25, 2026, France

The Saint-Pierre Church in Monts was broken into and ransacked on 25 August, a parish representative alerted the police, making it the sixth attack on churches in the Indre-et-Loire this month. Unknown persons broke down the door and reportedly moved items, but nothing was found stolen. This incident has been the latest in a slew of church attacks in the region, and has further elevated concerns about the security nof Christian places of worship for community members.  

Altar and Hymn Book Set on Fire inside St. Martinus Church

August 24, 2026, Germany

Unidentified individuals set fire to several objects inside St. Martinus Church in Pfalzdorf on 24 August, damaging an altar cloth, microphones, and a hymn book. Cash was also stolen from a candle donation box, and the offences are being investigated by police as criminal damage and theft.

Churches in Siegen Graffitied with Swastikas and Inverted Crosses

August 24, 2026, Germany

As reported on 24 August 2026, two Catholic churches in Siegen were vandalised within approximately two weeks. Swastikas were painted on both churches, while several inverted crosses were also found at St. Marien Church. The use of Nazi and anti-Christian symbols prompted an investigation by the State Security Service.