In a fresh wave of Anti-Christian attacks, several Churches in Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria, France and the UK have been targeted by hatred and violence. Hate crimes against Christians are typically unnoticed by ‘main stream’ media, and disregarded by political authorities.
Newsroom (05/25/2025 6:58 PM, Gaudium Press) The “oppression or persecution” of Christians due to their faith is increasing day by day. Unfortunately, hate crimes against Christians are often downplayed or ignored by political authorities.
Germany
A 24-year-old man was beaten in Berlin last week after identifying himself as a Christian. Five unidentified men questioned him about his religious beliefs. When he replied that he had been baptized as a Christian, they struck him multiple times in the head. Later that evening, passersby found him lying in the street and called an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital with facial injuries.
Earlier this month, a participant in a Christian pro-life conference in Schönfeld was attacked with acid. During the peaceful gathering—meant to discuss ways to guarantee dignity for every human life—a woman deliberately attempted to disrupt the event using a corrosive substance. This incident follows a series of shocking attacks on German churches in recent weeks.
In Mainz, a parish priest sounded the alarm after finding feces in the holy water and chapel, along with a destroyed confessional. In Kraichgau, the Paschal candle and altar Bible were smeared with feces, and an altar candle was found in a pool of urine on the church floor. In Ebersbach, vandals repeatedly set fire to the church altar, tampered with the organ, painted the altar cloth, and broke an egg inside the baptismal font.
In Öhringen, the church’s main wooden altar was damaged. In Gross-Gerau, a Bible on the altar was burned. Police in Neuss-Erfttal are investigating an arson attack on church grounds. In Salzgitter-Bad, a statue of the Virgin Mary was torn from her altar and damaged, and in the Odenwald region, several churches were vandalized.
Austria
Access to the parish church of Breitenfeld in Vienna was restricted following violent attacks and acts of vandalism. A secretary was assaulted, and a 74-year-old sacristan was hospitalized after being repeatedly kicked. Vandalism was also confirmed. The church is now open only for Mass, with police presence on-site.
France
A group of young men attacked a priest in Montfavet, Avignon. They asked to enter the church to “convert to Christianity” but then insulted the Christian faith, shouted “Allahu Akbar,” and threatened to burn the church down.
A particularly grave act of vandalism occurred at the Church of Saint-Martin in Colmar: liturgical items were damaged, and images of Our Lady and Jesus Christ had their arms and hands deliberately broken. Pews were overturned, causing over 10,000 euros in damages.
In Corancy, a two-meter-high wooden cross located in a forest was sawn off and stolen. According to the mayor, it symbolized the heart of local Christianity.
Italy
Churches and shrines in Ascoli Piceno, Dorgali, and Lonato del Garda have repeatedly been targeted by vandals. In one case, a wooden crucifix was ripped from the wall and thrown to the ground. In Abruzzo, the local church suffered an arson attack.
Sweden
The historic wooden church in Älvsbyn was reportedly the target of two arson attacks in a short period. In response, the Älvsbyn parish moved all services—including funerals, worship, and choir rehearsals—to another location.
United Kingdom
A new study by the UK Countryside Alliance revealed that over 9,000 crimes were reported in churches across the UK between 2022 and 2024. These included 3,237 cases of criminal damage, vandalism, and arson, as well as 1,974 acts of violence.
On Good Friday, vandals defaced a church building in Lancashire and at least 40 tombstones in the churchyard with offensive words, profanities, and slogans such as “God is a lie.”
With information from Belgicatho.
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