Church vandalism

The Latest

Speaking with EWTN Capitol Hill correspondent Erik Rosales, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, railed against the Biden administration’s passivity as more than 400 attacks against Catholic churches in the U.S. have been perpetrated during the last four years.

Marco Rubio draws attention to pro-life strategy, spike in church vandalism

In an EWTN News interview, the Florida senator discussed pro-life strategy and holding the Biden administration accountable in addressing church... Read more

United States Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, on his way to a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 2, 2021.

Sen. Marco Rubio demands Biden protect Catholic churches from attacks

Mar 6, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

“These attacks are not random nor are they the result of a temporary lapse in judgment by perpetrators,” Rubio, who... Read more

A man removes red spray paint from a statue of the Blessed Mother at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, Kansas.

Uptick in attacks on Catholic parishes reveals hostility to faith, religious liberty

Mar 6, 2024

By Martin Barillas

Attacks on churches are at an all-time high, occurring in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more

The Cathedral of San Luis Potosí in Mexico.

Constant thefts in churches plague Mexican archdiocese

Nov 30, 2023

By Diego López Colín

The Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí expressed its concern about the constant wave of thefts that is plaguing churches in... Read more

Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rouen, France.

Altar vandalized, sacred vessels stolen from Sacred Heart Basilica in France

Nov 17, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

During the night of Nov. 14–15, unidentified persons destroyed the altar and stole sacred vessels from the Sacred Heart Basilica... Read more

A crucifix that was vandalized at Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Oct. 25, 2023, has since been repaired.

Massachusetts man arrested in assault and vandalism incident at Boston cathedral

Oct 27, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Boston police arrested a man Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a woman and defacing a crucifix outside the Cathedral of the... Read more

Reference image / green handkerchief used by promoters of abortion.

Pro-abortion demonstrators allegedly tag church in Spain with offensive graffiti

Oct 23, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation has filed a complaint against a pro-abortion organization whose activists also allegedly harassed Mass-goers. Read more

The Cross of San Lázaro of Seville, Spain, sculpted in the 16th century, was vandalized on the night of Oct. 21-22, 2023.

Cross in public square in Spain smashed to pieces

Oct 23, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

A stone cross carved in the 16th century and placed on a pedestal in a public square next to the... Read more

The sanctuary of the Virgin of Flowers Shrine in Álora, Málaga, Spain, was found desecrated Sept. 19, 2023.

Shrine of Virgin of Flowers whose name traveled to Mars with NASA desecrated

Sep 20, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The incident took place Monday night but was not discovered until early Tuesday, when the person who opened the church... Read more

Interior of the Piura Cathedral in northern Peru.

Archdiocese in Peru calls for respecting sacred places following theft from poor box

Sep 18, 2023

By Diego López Marina

“This theft not only constitutes a serious offense to God ... but also constitutes an absolute lack of charity towards... Read more

The chapel of Our Lady of the Valley near the small settlement of Pehuajó Sud, Argentina, was attacked Aug. 30, 2023. The chapel is part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in the town of Larroque.

Chapel in Argentina vandalized; bishop calls for acts of reparation

Sep 1, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Bishop Héctor Zordán said the damage inflicted was a criminal act motivated by the intent to “desecrate the sacred place... 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

Eric Beck, 30, of Painesville, Ohio, was arrested and charged in connection with the vandalism and arson at Immaculate Conception Church in Willoughby, Ohio, early in the morning of Aug. 12, 2023.

Ohio man arrested after attempting to light Catholic church on fire, vandalism

Aug 16, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Authorities say they saw Eric Beck, 30, of Painesville, Ohio, in Immaculate Conception Church after responding to a motion alarm... Read more

Jonathan Bulik, 37, of Brooklyn, has been arrested and charged in connection with the July 8, 2023, desecration of a statue of the Blessed Mother at Resurrection Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Two arrests made in vandalism incidents at Catholic churches in Brooklyn Diocese

Jul 10, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

At Resurrection Church in Brooklyn, a white marble statue of the Blessed Mother was spray-painted with black graffiti on her... Read more

Cross installed after Father's Day 2023 at Santiago Retreat Center, Orange County, California.

Destruction of Catholic retreat center’s cross a possible hate crime, Orange County authorities say

Jul 5, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The cross had recently been installed and was apparently destroyed using a chainsaw. 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

The parish of  St. Josemaría in Alcorcón, Spain, was vandalized the night of June 15-16, 2023.

Same church in Spain where priest was stabbed has now been vandalized and robbed

Jun 16, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Fortunately, the priest was able to determine that the tabernacle was untouched. Read more

The Mexican platform Actívate (Get Active) delivered 10,400 signatures to the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) on June 6, 2023.

Petition in Mexico demands religious freedom, protection of priests and churches

Jun 8, 2023

By David Ramos

The Mexican platform Actívate (Get Active) delivered 10,400 signatures to the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). Read more

A tabernacle was desecrated May 24, 2023, at St. Ann Parish in the town of Nindirí in Nicaragua.

Ciborium stolen and Eucharist desecrated in chapel in Nicaragua

May 26, 2023

By David Ramos

During the early hours of May 24, unidentified persons desecrated the chapel of Our Lady of Fatima in the small... 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