All cases
Saint-Louis Roi Church severely vandalised
January 11, 2023, FranceOn January 11, the church of Saint-Louis Roi in Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or, near Lyon, has been severely vandalised. Candles, books and vases have been thrown on the ground. Two large crucifixes were destroyed. The stained glass windows of the choir, a nativity scene and the Way of the cross were also damaged by the vandals.
Insults Tagged on Augsburg Cathedral and other anti-Christian Hate Crimes
January 10, 2023, GermanyOn the 10th of January, the online news source MK-Online reported a rise in anti-Christian hate speech and vandalism in Bavaria. The most recent incident was red graffiti on the Cathedral of Augsburg that said "F*ck Jesus! He would have wanted it this way". The historical church dates back to Roman times. The reasons behind the perpetrator's actions are still under investigation and the cost of the damaged property lies around a couple of hundred euros. Other cases have been reported in Munich, where the Jesus figure was stolen. In an Augsburg Catholic Church perpetrators threw eggs and left insulting graffiti on the wall against the Word of God.
Vandalism Attack on the church of Saint-Lois Roi in Lyon
January 10, 2023, FranceOn the afternoon of January 10, it was reported that the Saint-Louis Roi church of Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or in Lyon was heavily vandalized by a perpetrator. The vandal broke windows and tossed to the ground two crucifixes, candles, books, and cases. District Councillor Tiffany Joncour posted a picture on twitter of a broken crucifix laying on the ground after the attack. The Minister of the Interior Gérald Dramamine later shared on Twitter that the suspect had been arrested.
Chapel of St. Julien Desecrated and Vandalized in Morbihan
January 8, 2023, FranceThe chapel of St. Julien in Morbihan has been desecrated and vandalised by unknown perpetrators on the 8th of January. The newspaper Le Télégramme revealed that all crosses were turned upside down, a statue of the Virgin Mary was wrapped with red electric lights, an ex-voto was damaged and a fire extinguisher was poured out on the church. According to the mayor of Morbihan, Patrick Le Roux, such acts had not been seen in the past in this city, "It is for me the expression of absolute evil and stupidity," he added. The destruction was found by a parishioner on Sunday afternoon.
Jesus Figure Stolen from Wayside Shrine Crucifix
January 8, 2023, GermanyBetween the 19th of December and the 8th of January, the wayside shrine in Icking was vandalised. An unknown perpetrator unscrewed the Jesus figure from its cross and took it away. Now, the police have been notified and they are investigating the case.
5000 Euro Damage: Perpetrators Throw Explosives Towards Church
January 7, 2023, GermanyIn the city of Halberstadt, a form of pyrotechnics were used to destroy church property at the Lüttgenfeldstraße, amounting to 5,000 euros in damage. Around 3:45 a.m. on January 7, unknown persons threw crafted explosives over the fence of the church and caused damage to a nativity play which was handcrafted with plastic and wood. The explosion also caused damage to the façade of the church and a window. The police are seeking witnesses to find the perpetrators.
1,000 euros Worth of Damage to church in Ottersheim
January 7, 2023, GermanyBetween the 7th and 9th of January, unknown perpetrators damaged the cupboards of the St. Martinus Church in Ottersheim. The police is running an investigation and looking for the perpetrators. The damaged cupboards amount to about 1000 euros worth.
Statue of Baby Jesus destroyed and Desecrated At church of St. James
January 6, 2023, PolandDuring the night on January 6, the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene in the St. James Church was vandalized in Brzesko. According to the report, the right hands were cut off, and the statue was destroyed and left at the Jordan park. The pastor of the church commented: "This kind of profanation is not only an expression of stupidity, vandalism or thuggery on the part of some people, but it is first and foremost an attack on our religious feelings."
Arson Attack on Santa Francesca Cabrini Church in Lodi
January 5, 2023, ItalyOn January 5 in the afternoon, an arsonist set fire to the church of the parish of Santa Francesca Cabrini, in Lodi. The flames destroyed a large part of the entrance door and damaged the side walls. Fire was set to a curtain close to the entrance, and a gospel placed on a lectern. The perpetrator has been caught by the police.
Vandalism to the San Giacomo Church in Paola
January 4, 2023, ItalyIn Paola, unknown vandals targeted, among other buildings, the main entrance of San Giacomo church. A few weeks before, the native house of Francis of Paola had been vandalized too. The Provincial Superior of the Order of Minims strongly condemned these acts and called for more security in the town.
Two People Vandalise the St. John's Church in Miltenberg
January 4, 2023, GermanyIt was reported that two young people vandalised St. John's Church on the 4th of January. They left traces of foam from the fire extinguisher all over the church and special items. The sacristan came to the church right after the incident happened and reported the crime. A cleaning crew tried to remove the foam, textiles and other valuable Paramentes also had to be cleaned. It seems that the Altar Bible has suffered permanent damage. The police are investigating.
Vandalism at Catholic Seminary and Diocesan Library
January 4, 2023, ItalyDon Sabino Mennuni, the director of the catholic seminary in Andria reported about repeated acts vandalism and harassment at the facilities. According to his report, he was harassed and insulted while cleaning the entrance door of the seminary. The youth who insulted him also deposed garbage at the entrance and urinated on the door.
Deadly Knife Attack Against Ukrainian Priest inside the Church
January 2, 2023, UkraineOn the morning of January 2, in the Holy Virgin Church in Vinnytsia, an unknown man attacked the priest Anthony Kovtonyuk and cut him on the throat. The unidentified man had entered the church and started turning everything over, so the priest reprimanded him. Then, the perpetrator attacked the priest with his knife, as it was reported by the diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The police came to the scene and apprehended the attacker, who has been arrested. Father Anthony was taken to the emergency services later transferred to the intensive care unit in a Vinnitsia hospital.
Historical Church of St Peter and St Paul in Turin Defaced with Graffiti
January 2, 2023, ItalyThe Romanesque Church of Saints Peter and Paul located in Chianocco, Turin, has been spray painted by unknown vandals. The perpetrators painted inappropriate or obscene drawings and words on the stone wall of the old church. This was reported on the 2nd of January. In the next days, volunteers will come and help clean up the mess that was left behind. The police are investigating.
Cross stolen and vandalised in Deblin
January 2, 2023, PolandOn January 2, the police in Dęblin received a report of the theft of a wooden cross that was attached to the wall of one of the churches in Deblin. The police found that two young men, aged 21 and 23, residents of Dęblin, Lubelskie Voivodeship, had taken the cross attached to one of the churches and carried it around the city. They then damaged it, broke off the figure of Jesus, and abandoned it by one of the streets.
Lutheran cemetery in Kozakowice Dolne vandalised
January 1, 2023, PolandOn January 1, the Lutheran cemetery in Kozakowice Dolne and a small church next to the cemetery, belonging to the Evangelical Augsburg Parish in Goleszów, were vandalised. The tombstones were knocked over, flowers and candles scattered. At the church the façade was damaged and windows were broken.
Facade of Church defaced with paper bombs by young vandals
December 31, 2022, ItalyIn the town of Marigliano, the facade of thee church The Lady Most Holy of Mount Carmel was vandalized with paper bombs by young vandals. The perpetrators ruined the facade and caused shock among the residents, who expressed their emotions and anger. The incident was filmed with smartphones and the images were shared on social networks.
Three Young Women Set Fire to Church in Ireland
December 30, 2022, IrelandThe police in North Kerry are investigating an act of vandalism against a church in Ballyduff. Three young women entered the St. Peter and St. Paul church and set fire to the altar cloth. The incident happened on the 30th of December, during the opening hours of the church. Detectives are investigating the motive behind the incident. The altar cloth did not go up in flames, so the damage was not extensive.
Vandals Break Windows and Break Into Church in Germany
December 29, 2022, GermanyOn the 29th of December around midday, unknown persons broke into a church and removed the fence. They entered by breaking the kitchen window, but they did not cause other damage to the interior. The police has estimated the damages to be of 2,000 euros.
Nativity Scene Figures Repeatedly Vandalized - One Statue Decapitated and Jesus Stolen
December 29, 2022, GermanyOn the 29th of December, unknown vandals stole the Baby Jesus of the nativity scene in Waren and beheaded one of the three wisemen figures. The display belongs to a Baptist Church and it has been vandalized many times in the last few years. This last incident included two consecutive nights of vandalism. The municipality is trying to help with the investigation. Apart from the main figures, a sheep and another figure were scattered on the meadow and other figures were knocked over.
Vandals Burn Nativity Scene Figures
December 29, 2022, SpainIn the city of Zamora, the locals and neighbours showed shock and sadness towards an attack on a nativity scene, which was reported on the 29th of December. Unknown vandals, suspected to be a young group of people, burned the figures of the Christmas display. Some people commented that the fire looked like a bonfire as vandals were burning religious figures.
Three Church Oratories Vandalized Around Christmas
December 29, 2022, ItalyAround the Christmas time, there were several cases of vandalism to oratories in Melegnano. Vandals broke into oratories and destroyed rooms, religious objects, as well as the façade of the Church building. There is an ongoing investigation to find the perpetrators.
Break-in to Church and Vandalism by group of Teenagers
December 29, 2022, United KingdomAt around 3.45 p.m. on the 29th of December, the St Peter’s Church door was busted open by teenagers. Once inside, they damaged a cross, a statue and candles. The suspects are four boys and four girls who were seen by residents running away from the church with dark clothes on and heading toward Claydon High School. The faces are yet to be identified but the police are asking for any cam footage from cars that were there parked near the scene.
Thieves Steal Baby Jesus from Nativity Scene and Ask for "Ransom" Money
December 28, 2022, SpainIn the town of Barbera del Valles, thieves "kidnapped" the figure of the baby Jesus from the open-air nativity scene on the 28. December at night. They then posted a video on social media with covered faces and distorted voices demanding a ransom of 10,000 euros for the precious figure. According to Spanish media, the city council of the town expressed the hope that it could be a sort of prank. But this is not the first theft of the small figure from the Nativity scene in the church square.
Catholic Owned Centre Vandalised Twice in Two Weeks
December 28, 2022, ItalyIn the city of Corticelle, vandals targeted the building adjacent to the Pieve church on the 28th of January. The building is a Catholic-owned centre that belongs to the Amici della Pieve association. The news reported that unknown perpetrators caused major damage by breaking the windows and doors and committing burglary. The police are said to investigate under surveillance cameras since vandals have caused two events within two weeks.
Vandals Steal Baby Jesus from Church in Florence
December 28, 2022, ItalyOn December 28, the surveillance camera showed how unknown suspects stole the statue of the Baby Jesus from the nativity scene. The reports have also mentioned that several young people were hiding the statue of Baby Jesus under their clothes and walking around the city with it. The figure was later found at a restaurant terrace and other acts of vandalism have been investigated previously by the police.
Unknown Persons Riot in Leipzig Church Causing Several Damages
December 27, 2022, GermanyUnidentified person(s) have caused several damages inside the Catholic Provost Church of St Trinitatis in Leipzig. On the 27. December in the afternoon, he rioted in the church, threw various books around and damaged the nativity figures. The damage was estimated at a three-digit amount by the police.
Baby Jesus Figure Stolen in Munich Church
December 26, 2022, GermanyIn the Jesuit Church of St. Michael in Munich, the nativity scene has been ruined and an unknown suspect has stolen the statue of the infant baby Jesus. It was reported that the statue about 25 centimetres tall, was stolen on the second day of Christmas. Father Martin Stark has therefore left a note on the empty crib saying "Here lay our baby Jesus, who is part of our historical nativity scene. Unfortunately it got lost on the 2nd day of Christmas. I ask the one, who probably took it, imploringly to return the figure to us!".
Church Set on Fire While Faithful were Celebrating Mass Inside
December 25, 2022, FinlandOn the 25. December, while 30 people were celebrating Christmas service in a small wooden church in Rautjärvi, a fire broke out and the faithful had to be quickly evacuated. The historic Evangelical church was completely destroyed by the fire that started at 8.30 am. The criminal commissioner, Mika Salminen said in a press conference that the side doors of the church had been attached with ropes. There is no doubt for the police, that this was a willful attack.
Priest House Broken into and money stolen While He Held Christmas Mass
December 25, 2022, FranceWhile celebrating mass and Christmas Eve in the village of Alsace, burglars entered the Priests' home and stole money. It was said the burglars might have known the time the masses were since it was posted online. Therefore, the theft was already planned beforehand. The amount of the stolen money is unclear, but it was from donations and collections from the church. The 59-year-old has said it was "traumatic" for him and that the investigation is still ongoing.
Break-In and Burglary at Church in Germany
December 25, 2022, GermanyOn the 25th of December, the police reported that unknown perpetrators broke into the Christuskirche and burgled the interior. Laptops and bread rolls packages were stolen. The vandals entered the church through a window and by breaking the connected doors.
Vandals Destroy glass pane in the Belmonte Sanctuary
December 22, 2022, ItalyIn Valperga, vandals broke a glass pane of the Belmonte sanctuary, as reported on the 22nd of December. Mayor Sandretto commented that a volunteer who takes care of the place has repaired the damage, as he was the one that noticed it. The attack must have been on the days before.
Birmingham charity worker arrested for praying 'in her mind' near an abortion facility
December 20, 2022, United KingdomADF UK reported that a charity volunteer has been arrested and charged with four counts after telling the police that she “might” be praying silently in her mind, after being questioned by them over why she was standing inside an abortion facility’s censorship zone. The arrest and charges took place as authorities consider criminalising prayer near abortion facilities nationwide in the new Public Order Bill.
Church of Norway asked to remove crosses from cemeteries and chapels as Human-Ethical Association finds them 'threatening'
December 19, 2022, NorwayIn December 2022, the Church of Norway was asked by the local branch of the Human-Ethical Association (HEF) to remove the crosses on chapels and cemeteries as it finds them to be "threatening". The HEF advocates for more "neutrality" in public space.
Satanic Vandalic Attack on a Church in Golino
December 19, 2022, SwitzerlandBetween the 18th and 18th of December, unknown vandals tagged the walls of the church of San Giorgio in Golino, Canton of Ticino, with satanic and anarchist symbology in black paint. A complaint has already been made by the parish. The damage was noticed by the sacristan the next morning.
Saint-Roch's church in Paris Defaced with Hateful Graffiti
December 19, 2022, FranceOn 19 December several tags with insults, anarchist and nazi symbols appeared on several doors of Saint Roch's church in the centre of Paris. "A few days before Christmas, scandalous inscriptions were left on the church of Saint-Roch", wrote the mayor of Paris, Ariel Weil. He commented that a complaint had been lodged at the police and that the cleaning of the building had started.
Vandals Throw Flower Pots Through The Windows of a Church in Egham
December 18, 2022, United KingdomBetween the 18th and 19th of December, an unknown perpetrator destroyed several windows of the St. John of Rochester Catholic church in Egham Hythe. The perpetrator smashed the windows by throwing flower pots through them. The shattered glass spread over the floor and the incident was discovered by a church volunteer, Anne-do Bauchot. She and other church members said they were "heartbroken" by seeing this attack. Also, because of this, the church was not able to hold their traditional Christmas Eve service.
Man Arrested After Destroying Nativity Scene with Hammer
December 17, 2022, SpainA video was uploaded on Youtube on the 17. December of a man that destroys a Nativity Scene with a hammer in the Spanish city of Calahorra. He has already been arrested by the police.
18-year-olds Climb on the Saint-Maclou Church's Roof and shove down Gargoyles
December 17, 2022, FranceOn the evening of January 17, it was reported that two 18-year-olds climbed up the roof of the Saint-Maclou Church in Rouen. Once they were there, they pushed down the church's gargoyles. Their motives were unclear and authorities also reported that the men were heavily intoxicated. From the gargoyles that were thrown, at least one was destroyed and several others were damaged.
16th Century Church Looted in Kosovo
December 16, 2022, KosovoAmid the new tensions of December 2022 between Serbians and Albanians in Kosovo, it was reported on Serbian news that ethnic Albanians looted several Serbian houses and one church: "Residents of the village of Bogoševac near Prizren said that Albanians had looted several Serbian houses. The local population lost everything - from equipment to personal belongings. The church of St. Nicholas, built in the 16th century, was also looted. In 2022, the highest number of attacks on the Serbian population of Kosovo and Metohija was recorded".
Good news: German court rules that the ban on worship services during pandemic was illegal
December 16, 2022, GermanyA German court in Minden has declared that the "decision to ban worship services was illegal" as "the measure was 'disproportional', not founded in the law for infection prevention and violated the freedom of religion severely." The case referred to the total ban on public worship passed by the municipal council of Lage, a small town in the state of Lower Saxony, during Easter 2021.
1,000 euros worth of Altar Pieces Stolen
December 16, 2022, CyprusTremithousa Village is located in Cyprus, where there has been a grand theft at the Chapel of the Prophet Elias. It was reported on the 16th of December that the police have started the investigation. Unknown perpetrators have broken into the chapel and have stolen four altarpieces that are worth 1,000 euros.
UPDATE: Spain's Lower House Passes Bill Allowing Abortion for Minors Without Parental Consent
December 15, 2022, SpainAfter some months of debate, the Congress of Deputies (the national parliament lower house in Madrid) recently passed the new abortion law. This law breaches human rights for parents and medical staff alike, as it allows minor girls 16 and 17 years old to undergo an abortion without parental consent. Also, the freedom of conscience for medical staff is under pressure, as doctors who opt-out from this procedure for conscience reasons will be placed on a list of "conscientious objectors" and removed from the medical committees that decide over a woman's claims of malformation or illness of the foetus that want to abort beyond the limit of the first 14 weeks.
Roof of the Lutheran Church of Chemnitz damaged
December 14, 2022, GermanyAccording to the police, on 14. December, unknown perpetrators have probably thrown fireworks at the rooftop of the Luther Church of Chemnitz. This has caused damage to the entrance, the estimated amount is around 7500 euros
Statues of Joseph and Mary Beheaded in Broad Daylight in Schaffen
December 14, 2022, BelgiumThe statues of Joseph and Mary were found beheaded at the Nativity scene in Schaffen (Diest), on 14 December. It happened in broad daylight, in the afternoon. According to local residents, it is not the first time vandals have struck at the nativity scene.
The ECHR condemns Bulgaria for violating the right to Religious Freedom of Evangelical Christians
December 13, 2022, BulgariaThe European Court of Human Rights has condemned Bulgaria for a 2008 governmental campaign to warn children and families away from Protestant churches. This came after in 2021, Pastor Tonchev and Pastor Kiryakov in Burgas, challenged the government's campaign that labelled Protestant Christians as "sects"and told children at schools that they should not attend such churches.
Arson Attack to Nativity Scene in Strasbourg
December 13, 2022, FranceThe nativity scene at the heart of the Christmas market in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, a town near Strasbourg, was destroyed by arson, reports the news site "20 Minutes". The incident was reported on the 13th of December. The police is searching for the perpetrator.
Vandalism to Church Property in Braga
December 12, 2022, PortugalThe vicinity of the Parish Church of São Francisco, in the parish of Real, in Braga, has been the target of vandalism and graffiti. Also a signboard in São Bento da Porta Aberta was found destroyed on 12 December.
Protestant Pastor arrested in Berdyansk, Ukraine by Russian Forces
December 12, 2022, UkraineThe Ngo Forum 18 reports that on 12. December, "armed Russian soldiers broke into the home of Serhiy Karpenko, Pastor of the Vefil (Bethel) Protestant Church in Berdyansk." The Russian forces took him away in an unknown direction. The Berdyansk News Online also reported this on its Telegram channel the same day. According to the news channel, local residents said "soldiers had also searched the Church and allegedly found Ukrainian symbols."
110 Year Old Cross Stolen from St. Michael Church in Germany
December 11, 2022, GermanyUnknown perpetrators stole the cross from the church of St. Michael in Blumenfeld, as reported on 11. December. It seems that this happened soon after the Advent singing, leaving the dean and the mayor stunned with the theft. The cross, which is more than 110 years old, is estimated to be worth up to 12,000 euros. The police have started an investigation and are looking for witnesses and information.