All cases
Window Smashed in Niederselters Church by Teenagers
April 3, 2022, GermanyA window, of a church in Niederselters, was smashed by two teenagers who were throwing snowballs at it on April 4th. The damage caused was around 1.000 euros and the police began looking for the perpetrators who were suspected to be boys between 15 and 17 years old.
Window of Church in Weingarten Broken
April 2, 2022, GermanyThe windows of the Protestant church in Weingarten were smashed on April 2nd, causing 1,500 Euros worth of damage. The perpetrator was unknown but police investigated the incident and were looking for witnesses. A Facebook user commented on the incident: "People experience in such a place unique moments of life, joy, care, comfort, silence, protection, community, a connection to the Creator since time immemorial. People respect this place regardless of their faith and worldview."
Drunk Russian Man Hits Ukrainian Catholic Priest in Hamburg
April 2, 2022, GermanyAn intoxicated Russian man has physically attacked the pastor of a Ukrainian Catholic parish in Hamburg on the 2nd of April. According to the report, the man rang de door of the church, and after the priest opened it, he pushed the priest and hit him in the upper body. The priest was able to force the man out of the building and called the police. The Russian man also damaged a fence and a flower bed and stayed sitting on a bench until the police came.
100 Candles Stolen from three Holzland Churches
April 2, 2022, GermanyThree Holzland churches near Steinkirchen were targeted by theft in April. About 100 hand-decorated candles were stolen, which would have been used for charitable donations. The community of the churches was very disappointed by this act.
Rampage in Dreis-Brück Church
April 1, 2022, GermanyPerpetrators, whose identity is not known, vandalized the parish church in Dreis-Brück on April 1st. They distributed, what was thought to be alcohol, in the gallery, and the tablecloth on the altar was burnt. The police were looking for clues as to who could have done it.
Sacred Objects Stolen from Gleschendorf Church
March 30, 2022, GermanyDuring the night on March 30th, the Gleschendorf Church was robbed by unknown persons. The perpetrators stole valuable communion objects including a 300 year old baptismal bowl. This unfortunate event demonstrated a disrespect for the church and its proceedings.
Church in Satrup Graffitied
March 30, 2022, GermanyThe Laurentius Church in Satrup was vandalized with paint on March 30th. The façade was covered with phrases written in black paint which expressed contempt for the church and now have to be taken off by a specialist company.
Church in Bärenkeller Vandalized
March 27, 2022, GermanyThe church in Bärenkeller experienced considerable damage on the night of the 27th of March. A window in the basement was damaged and a church pew was ripped right out of the ground. The police are looking for witnesses for the investigation. According to the police, the damage to property is around 500 Euro.
Cross Stolen from St. Michael's Church
March 27, 2022, GermanyOn March 27th, a cross made of cast bronze was stolen from the crypt of St. Michael's church in Fulda. It was not known who did it but the police were investigating.
Würzburg Church Vandalized with Letter Z
March 27, 2022, GermanyThe letter Z, a pro-Russian symbol of war, was painted on the Gethsemane Church in Würzburg on March 27th. The congregation responded with a prayer for peace and the parish priest, Anna Bamberger, condemned the act. The perpetrator, who used this place of worship to advocate a war, was not found.
Church Ransacked in Walsum-Aldenrade
March 26, 2022, GermanyAn unknown thief ransacked several rooms in the church of Walsum-Aldenrade, and stole the money box from the choir community on March 26th. The bathroom window was pried open to gain access to the building but few clues as to who did it have been found. The police were notified and are looking for witnesses.
Devastating Arson to Evangelical Church in Singen
March 22, 2022, GermanyAn Evangelical church in Singen fell victim to arson and burnt down completely. The damage is estimated to be worth several million euros. The General Attorney took up investigations but the arsonist couldn't be found even after DNA tests were made. There are plans in place to built a new church building.
52-year-old Man Vandalizes Church and Sets Several Fires
March 21, 2022, GermanyThe Catholic church in Ispringer was the victim of an arson attack, as a perpetrator set fires in several spots of the church by using candles and other materials. This was reported on the 21st of March. Fortunately, the police patrol and the fire crew were there very fast and could track the fire before it really started. The damage to property was estimated at about 10,000 euros.
Germany: Court Ruled Banning Protests Outside Abortion Centers was Illegal
March 18, 2022, GermanyA German court ruled that it was illegal for the city of Frankfurt to create buffer zones around abortion centers where pro-life activists could not demonstrate during certain hours or within certain spatial restrictions. The ruling was reached on March 18th, after the city appealed the initial ruling on March 1st and the administrative court of Kassel confirmed the ruling by denying the appeal. It was the result of a long legal battle instigated by the city of Frankfurt imposing restrictions on the pro-life group "40 Days for Life" when they started a 40-day Lenten prayer gathering in January in front of a counseling center for pregnant women
Stations of the Cross Vandalized in Wettenhausen
March 18, 2022, GermanyAlmost all of the Stations of the Cross in Wettenhausen have been violently vandalized by unknown persons on March 18th. The police estimated that the damage was around 150,000 Euros but with the cleanup would probably end up being more. The deliberate attack on sacred Christian symbols demonstrates a complete lack of respect.
St. Bernard Church in Angelmodder Ransacked
March 16, 2022, GermanyThe sacristy of the St. Bernhard church in Angelmodder was ransacked by unknown vandals who stole and broke sacred objects. The thieves broke through a window made by the famous artist Johannes Schreiter and stole chalices, destroyed a monstrance, and broke into a safe. The damage and theft of these sacred objects was reported to the police.
Two Churches in Gutach and Bleibach Vandalized
March 14, 2022, GermanyThe Church of St. George and the Church of St. Michael were both targeted by the same perpetrator on March 14. Police said furniture and statues were damaged and garbage was left behind. The police were looking for witnesses who could help them identify the person responsible.
Couple Repeatedly Stole from Church in Main-Kinzig
March 11, 2022, GermanyA 34 year old man, was sentenced by the Gelnhausen judges, to two years in prison and 400 hours of community service for committing 34 thefts, 11 of which were from churches. The thefts mainly took place in the Main-Kinzig district and property damage was noticed in some instances. His girlfriend assisted him in 19 of the thefts and was also convicted. The repeated thefts of churches showed zero concern for these sacred places.
Scapular Stolen from Statue of Mary in Bad Steben
March 9, 2022, GermanyThe scapular (small necklace) was stolen from a statue of Mary in the Queen of Peace parish church in Bad Steben. Dean Andreas Seliger was saddened by the theft and said that if someone wants a scapular, he will give it to them and they "don't have to steal it secretly."
Vandalism and Arson at Steißlingen Church
March 8, 2022, GermanyThe church in Steißlingen was vandalized on March 8th. Perpetrators, who were not found, tipped over an assortment of objects, damaged the pulpit and microphone and set fire to some notes. The scope of the damage was not known but the police were investigating it.