Arson

The Latest

The interior of St. Bernard Church in Madison, Wisconsin, the diocese’s future cathedral.

Vatican approves new cathedral for Diocese of Madison

Jan 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

After nearly 20 years without a cathedral, the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, announced on Wednesday that the Holy See approved... Read more

Firefighters worked for hours to put out the fire at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salem, Oregon, Aug. 31, 2023.

Oregon Catholic Church fire determined to be arson; suspect arrested

Sep 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The Aug. 31 fire, which destroyed St. Joseph’s sanctuary, began in a garbage bin on the church property. Read more

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.

Archbishop mourns loss of historic church in Alberta, Canada, destroyed by arson

May 25, 2023

By The B.C. Catholic

The archbishop of Grouard-McLennan in Northern Alberta says he is saddened but “not overcome” by the loss of a 121-year-old... Read more

Virginia Roque-Fermin is charged with one felony count of arson in connection with starting a fire that caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois, May 23, 2023.

Woman arrested in connection with arson of Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Illinois

May 24, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A woman has been charged in connection with causing more than $78,000 in damages at the Shrine of Our Lady... Read more

Fire in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel belonging to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the village of Selva Oscura, Chile, March 13, 2023.

Church in Chile says ‘no to the violence’ following arson attack by indigenous militants

Mar 15, 2023

By CNA Staff

The statement from the Diocese of Temuco came after a March 13 fire destroyed the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel... 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

Assumption parish in Santiago, Chile, Oct. 19, 2020.

Latin American bishops express solidarity with Chile after church burnings

Oct 22, 2020

Following recent attacks on three churches in Chile, the bishops of Paraguay, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina expressed their closeness... Read more

Church fires in Santiago, Chile Oct. 18.

In Chile, archbishop condemns arson attacks that destroyed Catholic churches

Oct 19, 2020

The Archbishop of Santiago de Chile condemned arson attacks that destroyed two Chilean churches Sunday, and called on Catholics to... Read more

Arson at Incarnation Catholic Parish.

Florida man charged with arson at Florida Catholic church

Oct 1, 2020

When sheriff’s deputies set out to arrest the Florida man who is believed to have set fire to a Catholic... Read more

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Newark, Delaware, after an Aug. 25 arson attack.

Catholic students offer support after arson at University of Delaware Jewish center

Sep 3, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Newark, Delaware was damaged by arson in the late evening hours of Aug.... Read more

A priest and a nun pray next to the image of "Christ's Blood" after a fire burnt it at the Cathedral in Managua on July 31, 2020.

Nicaragua Catholic cathedral attacked with firebomb

Jul 31, 2020

By CNA Staff

An unidentified man threw a firebomb into a chapel of Managua’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, severely damaging... Read more

Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a fire July 11.

Florida Catholic church rebuilding after arson attack

Jul 27, 2020

The Catholic community at Queen of Peace Parish in Ocala, Florida is rebuilding after the church was set on fire... Read more

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

Nantes cathedral fire: Altar server charged with arson

Jul 26, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A church volunteer has admitted to starting the fire at Nantes Cathedral and was charged with arson on Saturday.  Read more

A man sets fire to a crucifix outside a church in St. Lucia.

Arson at Caribbean church sparks tension between Catholic and Rastafarian leaders

Jul 24, 2020

A man on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia attempted on Sunday to set fire to a crucifix outside a... Read more

Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a fire July 11.

Arrest made in Florida Catholic church burning

Jul 11, 2020

A Florida man has been arrested after he reportedly admitted to crashing a minivan into a Catholic Church and then... Read more

Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a fire July 11.

Florida man lights Catholic Church on fire with parishioners inside

Jul 11, 2020

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported July 11 that deputies were called at about 7:30 am to Queen of Peace... Read more

First Pentecostal Church of Holly Springs.

Church fighting Mississippi coronavirus restriction was burned down

May 22, 2020

Authorities are investigating the burning of a Mississippi church as a potential arson. The fire comes less than a month... Read more

The site of Most Blessed Sacrament parish in Franklin Lakes, NJ, after an arson burned the church Dec 11, 2019.

Suspect arrested after arson destroys NJ church

Dec 11, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

A suspect is in custody after an early-morning arson destroyed a Catholic parish in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.  Read more

St. Patrick's Cathedral in El Paso.

FBI: Three El Paso Catholic Churches were targeted by arson

Sep 23, 2019

Three Catholic Churches in El Paso were this year the targets of arson, FBI officials announced on Sept. 19.  Read more

(CC0 1.0)

Rise in crimes against churches in France shock faithful, prompt reflection

Jul 11, 2019

Vandalism, theft, arson and other increasing attacks on churches in France have led to debates about their causes, amid shock... Read more