All cases

Filtered by: Vandalism (form of hate crime)

Saint-Laurent Church Vandalised on Holy Thursday

April 2, 2026, France

On Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Saint-Laurent Church in Rosny-sous-Bois was broken into and severely damaged. The main doors were smashed, lamps torn down, and the sacristy door and frame attacked with axes.

Suspected Arson at Church Cemetery in Dorset

April 1, 2026, United Kingdom

A fire that broke out in the early hours at St George’s Church cemetery in Dorchester is believed to have been started deliberately.

Series of Fires and Vandalism Reported in Hildesheim Churches

March 30, 2026, Germany

A fire in the parish garden of St. Godehard Church in Hildesheim has raised concerns after church authorities reported further serious acts of vandalism affecting local churches. Among the incidents disclosed was the discovery of urine in a baptismal font, a particularly disturbing act of desecration.

Beheaded Statue of Mary in Klein-Winternheim

March 29, 2026, Germany

Unknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of Mary in a Marian grotto located in Klein-Winternheim. The offenders also damaged devotional objects and stole rosaries and other small religious items.

Vandalism in Garbenteich Church: Bible Damaged with Fire

March 22, 2026, Germany

A Protestant church in Garbenteich was vandalised, with fire damage affecting the altar Bible and altar area.

Arson and vandalism in Absam Parish Church

March 15, 2026, Austria

Absam Parish Church was the target of a serious act of vandalism, two minors entered the church and desecrated the interior.

Multiple churches in Belfort targeted with vandalism and break-ins

March 15, 2026, France

During the night of 14 to 15 March, Sainte-Croix Church in Chèvremont was vandalised, with doors forced open, consecrated hosts found on the ground, and sacred objects stolen. Authorities and the parish have filed complaints.

Attempted arson in Trzebinia Parish

March 15, 2026, Poland

An attempted arson was reported at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Trzebinia. A man set fire to kneelers in the vestibule and tried to ignite the main door but failed to enter.

Bible set on fire on altar of Protestant Church in Le Sentier

March 15, 2026, Switzerland

A Bible was deliberately set on fire on the altar of a Protestant church in Le Sentier, causing damage and leading to the brief hospitalisation of the pastor due to smoke inhalation. A suspect has been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident as arson targeting a place of worship.

Cemetery desecrated and crosses stolen in Niestępów

March 13, 2026, Poland

Around 200 graves were vandalized at the parish cemetery in Niestępów. Crosses, brass letters, and other metal elements were stolen from dozens of tombstones.

Cross Removed from Church Façade and Discarded in Garbage

March 13, 2026, Germany

Unknown individuals dismantled a large cross from the façade of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Pleidelsheim, and discarded it in a nearby garbage can.

Gunfire Damages Fresco at Tuscania Sanctuary

March 13, 2026, Italy

Unknown individuals fired shots at the church of the Madonna del Cerro in Tuscania, damaging a fresco of the Madonna and parts of the church’s exterior. The Carabinieri have opened an investigation.

Church in Bilbao Defaced by Antifa-Affiliated Group

March 12, 2026, Spain

A group of antifascists vandalised the Church of the Holy Johns in Spain with graffiti and posted a video of the act on social media.

Repeated vandalism and arson: Pastor Speaks of Being Victimised

March 12, 2026, United Kingdom

Salvation Chapel International, a pentecostal church in Laindon, has suffered repeated and escalating acts of vandalism, including a fire, destruction of toilets and church property, and graffiti.

Crucifix and confessionals vandalised in San Pietro a Vico Church

March 11, 2026, Italy

Unknown perpetrators vandalised San Pietro a Vico Church, destroying confessionals and breaking a crucifix.

St. Wenceslas Church in Prague Defaced with Hateful Graffiti

March 10, 2026, Czech Republic

The Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague was vandalised by unknown individuals who sprayed a message stating that the cross and the Star of David are equal to a swastika.

Altar vandalised inside Saint Roch Church in Paris

March 9, 2026, France

An altar inside Saint-Roch Church featuring a large gilded structure resembling the Ark of the Covenant was vandalised by unknown individuals. The attackers damaged decorative elements causing significant damage to the 19th-century religious piece.

Catholic School in Barcelona Vandalised with Hostile Political Graffiti

March 8, 2026, Spain

A Catholic school in Barcelona, affiliated with the Regnum Christi movement, was vandalised with politically charged graffiti during the weekend coinciding with International Women’s Day. The messages the messages expressed hostility towards the school’s educational model and prompted calls for increased security measures.

Viterbo Church defaced with satanic graffiti with inverted crosses.

March 7, 2026, Italy

Satanic graffiti, including inverted crosses and “666,” was sprayed on the facade of a Catholic church in Viterbo. The messages explicitly referenced Satan and targeted the Christian place of worship. Police identified the perpetrator through surveillance footage, and a 34-year-old man has been arrested.

Linked arson attacks target two Catholic Churches in Westmeath

March 6, 2026, Ireland

Two Catholic churches in County Westmeath were deliberately set on fire over the weekend. Both incidents caused damage to the main entrances and are being treated by authorities as deliberate arsons attacks, which seem to be linked.