All cases

Filtered by: Vandalism (form of hate crime)

Swastika Carved Into Evangelical Church Facade

December 14, 2025, Germany

Police opened a criminal investigation after unknown perpetrators etched a Nazi symbol into the wall of a church in Lower Saxony.

Anti-Christian Graffiti Targets the Basilica of Carmine in Florence

December 8, 2025, Italy

In Florence, black spray-painted graffiti stating “The only church that enlightens is the one that burns” and featuring the anarchist circled “A” appeared on the construction coverings of the Carmine Basilica.

Suspected Arson at Bologna Church

December 8, 2025, Italy

Authorities in Bologna investigated a fire at the Santuario in via del Borgo San Pietro, where flames engulfed the hedges surrounding the Catholic Church’s garden, prompting suspicions of arson.

Church Nativity Desecrated and Parishioners Threatened

December 8, 2025, Spain

Police detained a man after he disrupted a Catholic service by removing nativity figures, striking the altar, profaning liturgical garments, shouting in Arabic through the church microphone, and attempting to attack parishioners before being restrained outside.

Priest's Car Set on Fire Weeks after Church Vandalism

December 4, 2025, Italy

An arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.

Left-Wing Extremists Attack Church Over Anti-Abortion Stance

December 3, 2025, Germany

Radical activists smashed windows and spray-painted “218 abtreiben” on the Free Evangelical Church Kassel-Ost, citing its support for unborn life as the motive.

Church Nativity Figures Vandalised

December 3, 2025, Spain

Acts of vandalism targeted Christmas decorations at Villar de Olalla, damaging religious symbols and prompting a municipal appeal for information.

Arson Attack at Fonsorbes Church

December 3, 2025, France

Two altar cloths were set on fire inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Fonsorbes, Occitania, with straw from the Christmas nativity scene reportedly moved to fuel the flames.

Arson Attack at Laindon Church

November 27, 2025, United Kingdom

Authorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.

Altar Statues Deliberately Damaged

November 26, 2025, Italy

Authorities detained a 55-year-old man in Parabiago after he entered a parish church and toppled statues on the altar.

Amiens Christmas Market Nativity Scene Vandalised

November 26, 2025, France

The nativity scene at the Christmas market in Amiens was vandalised during the night of 25-26 November 2025: several statuettes — including the figure of the infant Jesus — were broken, leading to public indignation and closure of the display.

Desecration of Bodies and Tombs at Catholic Cemetery in Alhos Vedros

November 26, 2025, Portugal

Ten bodies were desecrated after mausoleums were broken into at a Catholic cemetery in Portugal. While cemetery vandalism had occurred before, the parish priest said that this incident was of an unprecedented scale. The local bishop condemned the act as a “sacrilegious gesture”.

Chapel Vandalized with Racist Graffiti and Symbols

November 22, 2025, Italy

Masked vandals defaced the Santa Lucia chapel in Pianella with racist and vulgar graffiti, prompting police investigation and municipal condemnation.

Tabernacle Stolen and Statue of Mary Damaged

November 19, 2025, Spain

Thieves broke into the Los Urrutias church in Cartagena, stole the tabernacle, and damaged the statue of the Virgin del Carmen, which they left in the streets.

Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar Torn Down

November 18, 2025, Spain

On the night of 18 November 2025, unknown individuals demolished the Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar, Gipuzkoa—an act now under police investigation. The cross, originally erected during Spain’s Franco regime, had sparked ongoing local tensions over the presence of religious symbols linked to the dictatorship, despite its historical recontextualisation.

Vandals Desecrate a Church Crucifix and Welcome Sign

November 16, 2025, Italy

A church in Moscufo was targeted by vandals who broke a welcoming sign and attached a condom to a crucifix. Municipal administrators condemned the act.

Neo-Fascist Graffiti on Church Condemned as “National and Religious Blasphemy”

November 15, 2025, United Kingdom

Swastika and Russian “Z” symbols were graffitied on Our Lady of Lourdes church in Swansea, prompting police investigation and condemnation from civic and religious leaders.

Historic Crucifix Defaced With Political Graffiti

November 12, 2025, Germany

A 200-year-old crucifix in a Protestant church in Homberg/Ohm was defaced with anti-Israel slogans and political graffiti.

Anti-Christian Graffiti Written on Door of Lourdes Church

November 11, 2025, France

Police opened an investigation after anti-Catholic insults, including “Filthy race of Jesus Christ”, were discovered on the entrance of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Lourdes.

Minors Vandalise Church Grounds

November 10, 2025, Italy

The parish of Viatosto was repeatedly targeted by vandals: open taps, glued candles, and a burnt lighter were among the troubling signs discovered by the priest.