Church fire

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The loss of St. Bernard’s Church in Grouard, Alberta, Canada, on May 22, 2023, makes a sad moment for those with memories of the church, said Grouard-McLennan Archbishop Gerard Pettipas. Two men have been arrested in connection with the fire.

Report: 33 churches in Canada destroyed by fire since May 2021

Jan 17, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Arson attacks against churches in Canada are on the rise, according to a Canadian news outlet. Read more

Police identified two 12-year-olds in connection with the vandalism and fire Oct. 6, 2023, at a local Catholic church in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Two 12-year-olds identified as vandals in Massachusetts church fire

Oct 10, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The two juveniles, a boy and a girl, will not face any charges at this time, police said.  Read more

The flag of Chile.

Two churches in Chile struck by arson

Oct 5, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

St. Alberto Hurtado Chapel in the Archdiocese of Concepción and St. Joseph Church of the Diocese of Linares were set... Read more

Investigators are looking into what caused a blaze at Incarnation Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Catholic church set ablaze in Orlando, Florida, under investigation

Jun 26, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Investigators are looking into what caused a blaze at Incarnation Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night. Read more

Santiaguito Church in Mexico sustained fire damage, according to a May 15, 2023, statement by the Diocese of Irapuato in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

Blaze set at iconic Mexican church; Eucharist stolen from another

May 16, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

The Church of Santiaguito, whose origins date back to the 17th century, is one of the “most emblematic and iconic”... Read more

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Blessed Sacrament found intact in tabernacle of church burned by armed men in Cameroon

Sep 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

In the aftermath of the fire that gutted a church in Cameroon, Bishop Aloysius Fondong found the sacred Hosts and... Read more

Firefighters work to put out a roof fire at historic St. James Catholic Church, in Rockford, Illinois, on Aug. 8, 2022. The Diocese of Rockford said a lightning strike was a possible cause.

Lightning strike causes major fire damage to historic Illinois Catholic church

Aug 9, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Three firefighters were injured responding to the Aug. 8 fire St. James Catholic Church in Rockford, Illinois. Read more

The aftermath of a fire at the Parish of St. Paul in Corbeil-Essonnes, France, July 4, 2020.

Nearly 1,000 hate crimes against Europe’s Christians recorded in 2020

Nov 16, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Poland had the most hate crimes reported against Christians, with 241 incidents in 2020. Read more

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles visits the scene of the fire at Mission San Gabriel church, July 11, 2020.

Catholic sites suffered more than 100 acts of vandalism, arson since May 2020, USCCB says

Oct 14, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The U.S. bishops’ conference on Thursday reported that churches and Catholic sites have been targeted in more than 100 acts... Read more

The remains of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Surrey, BC

Coptic Orthodox church in British Columbia destroyed in ‘suspicious’ fire

Jul 20, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A Coptic Orthodox church in British Columbia was destroyed in a fire on Monday, July 19, just days after an... Read more

St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in Morinville, Alberta, before it burned down on June 30, 2021.

Canadian Indigenous leaders call for end of targeting of churches

Jul 7, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Canadian Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors have called for suspected arson attacks on churches to stop.  Read more

Fire destroys St. Jean Baptiste parish, Morinville, Alberta

Canadian police investigate two more ‘suspicious’ fires at Catholic churches

Jun 30, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating two more fires at Catholic churches in Canada as “suspicious,” after four churches... Read more

Firefighters respond to the fire at Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, in Lille, France

Church fire in Northern France reportedly contained

May 4, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A fire broke out on Monday evening at Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, in Lille, France, and has reportedly been contained. Read more

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann. Courtesy photo.

Congressman writes to DOJ after attacks on Catholic churches

Aug 6, 2020

By Matt Hadro

A Catholic congressman is asking the U.S. Attorney General to respond to a spate of acts of vandalism against churches... Read more

Church of the Sacred Heart, Weymouth, MA. Courtesy photo.

Police probe arson attack at Boston-area church

Aug 3, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

State police are investigating two fires at Sacred Heart Church in Weymouth, Massachusetts, as arson. Both fires began overnight Sunday.  Read more

Our Lady of Lourdes, Monroe, North Carolina, after a July 28 fire. Courtesy photo.

Fire torches Catholic parish offices, chapel in North Carolina

Jul 28, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

A fire tore through the parish offices of a historic Catholic church in Monroe, North Carolina early Monday morning, and... Read more

The  Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes, France, before a July 18 fire now being investigated for arson.

Police release volunteer questioned over Nantes Catholic cathedral fire

Jul 20, 2020

A volunteer questioned by French police in connection with the fire at Nantes Cathedral has been released without charge.  Read more

The damage inside the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes, western France after a July 18 fire.

After Nantes cathedral fire, volunteer detained but not called a suspect

Jul 19, 2020

A 39-year-old cathedral volunteer has been detained as part of the arson investigation after a major fire at the Cathedral... Read more

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in western France.

French cathedral burns in suspected arson fire

Jul 18, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A fire being investigated as arson at a historic cathedral in western France Saturday morning has been contained, according to... Read more

Archbishop Jose Gomes of Los Angeles at the chapel of the Annunciation at Mission San Gabriel.

‘Always forward!’: San Gabriel fire is a call to mission of hope, says Archbishop Gomez

Jul 12, 2020

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has called for Catholics to find hope and a renewed sense of mission amid a... Read more