All cases
Vandalism to St. Aloysius Church in Iserlohn
February 2, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators daubed the wooden main entrance doors of the St. Aloysius Church on Hohler Weg in Iserlohn with graffiti. Also, an outdoor light was damaged and a flower pot was set on fire.
Vandalism at the Sacred Heart Church
January 31, 2024, GermanyOn January 31, unknown perpetrators entered the Sacred Heart Church in Sorghof, Germany and used candles to burn a hole in the upholstery of a prayer stool. Further, they also destroyed the reading glasses the church had kept there for a churchgoer.
Man turns himself in after spray painting satanist symbols on church
January 31, 2024, GermanyA man 32 hands himself into the police after going on a vandalism spree around Markt Schwaben. Spray painting the town hall and elementary school with anti-police and Nazi messages before then painting satanist symbols on a chapel and St. Margaret's Church.
Vandalism and Desecration of Eucharist in Church
January 31, 2024, ItalyThieves broke into the Church of Saint Mary of the Carmine in Lecce and stole money, desecrated the Eucharist kept in the tabernacle, and turned various sacred furnishings into corpses.
Suspected Arson Attack at St. Walpurgis Church
January 30, 2024, GermanyA fire broke out in the altar area of St. Walpurgis Church burning, among other things, the nativity scene. The fire caused damage of estimated 50,000 euros. Investigators have ruled out a technical defect and are assuming arson.
Statue destroyed inside church
January 30, 2024, ItalyUnknown assailants broke into the Madonna del Pilone church and smashed a statue of Mary, which was completely destroyed. They also stole a small amount of money.
Vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army
January 30, 2024, BelgiumOn January 30 vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army in Hoelbeek, Belgium. First the gravestones were smeared twice with black paint. Some time later the door and information columns of the chapel of the Secret Army were also painted black.
Draft Bill seeks to introduce Censorship Zones Around Abortion Clinics
January 29, 2024, GermanyGermany's Federal Family Minister, Lisa Paus, has proposed amendments to the Pregnancy Conflict Act ("Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz"), which would impose fines up to 5.000 euros fine on anyone committing a "disturbing" or "confusing" action within 100 meters around abortion clinics. Religious freedom organizations fear that this law could lead to 'censorship zones' like in the UK where individuals have been arrested for silent prayer and other peaceful expressions on public streets around abortion clinics.
Statue of the Angel of Cilavenga once again vandalised
January 29, 2024, ItalyA statue of the Angel standing behind the parish church of San Pietro Apostolo in Cilavegna has once again been targeted by vandals, who have damaged its right arm. The statue of the Angel of Cilavenga has already been sprayed and stoned several times.
Communist and Anti-Israel Graffiti on Santa Maria della Pietà Church
January 29, 2024, ItalyThe external wall of the church of Santa Maria della Pieta, in via San Vitale, was daubed with symbols and the writing 'Israel = death', drawn in red paint. The letters "CCCP" and a hammer and sickle in red paint were also left on the wall.
Terrorists Attack on Church in Istanbul Leaves one Dead and several Injured
January 28, 2024, TurkeyOn January 28 at 11.40 local time two masked gunmen walked into a Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district and fired two shots killing a person and leaving several injured. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.
Vandalism and Theft the Sanctuary of the Angels in Cuneo
January 28, 2024, ItalyThe Sanctuary of the Angels Church has repeatedly been a target of vandalism. Most recently, the statue of the Madonna was found on the ground with its little finger missing. While in the past it was mostly the candles in front of the statue of the Madonna which disappeared, this time a vase of holy water was stolen in the church.
Satanists leave 1000 Euros in Damage due to Church Vandalism
January 28, 2024, GermanyA pentagram was painted on the side entrance door of St. Vitus Church in Blumberg. An external electronic sensor and a lamp have also been damaged.
Woman harassed by Metropolitan Police for Publicly Signing Gospel Songs
January 28, 2024, United KingdomHarmonie London was performing in London's Oxford Street when a Metropolitan Police special constable told her: “No, miss, you’re not allowed to sing church songs outside of church grounds, by the way”.
Religious Statue Vandalised in Košute
January 28, 2024, CroatiaOn January 28, unknown perpetrators smashed the statue of Blessed Alojzije Cardinal Stepinac in front of the parish church in Košute.
Baptismal font and Stations of the Cross stolen
January 27, 2024, GermanyDuring the night of 27-28 January, unknown perpetrators stole the baptismal font and several stations of the cross from the Catholic Liebfrauenkirche in Sinsen, Germany.
Man Set Fire around and inside Bordeaux-Caudéran church
January 27, 2024, FranceOn January 27, a man set a fire outside of the church in a bin before going inside the church and trying to set the altar on fire. He also attempted to set fire to a chair. He was quickly stopped by parishioners before the police came and arrested him.
Analysis: Increased anti-Christian vandalism during the Christmas season
January 26, 2024, ItalyOIDAC Europe's analysis shows an increase of anti-Christian incidents over Christmas. Next to tightened security due to terrorism threats to some major churches in European cities, a high number of vandalism of nativity scenes in Italy is raising concerns.
Eggs Thrown at Church
January 26, 2024, GermanyAn unknown perpetrator threw eggs at the entrance doors of a church. This caused property damage and the police are investigating for the offense of disrupting the practice of religion.
Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg
January 26, 2024, GermanyAn unknown perpetrator threw rotten eggs at the five doors of St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg. The parish priest said he did not believe that this was simply a joke by youth. This is not the first time the church has been targeted.