A series of arson attacks on Christian churches across Europe has left religious communities reeling, with six incidents occurring within a single week.
A troubling series of arson attacks has ravaged Christian churches throughout Europe, with six attacks reported in just one week, according to a report by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe). The recent surge in anti-Christian violence has resulted in significant damage to historic religious sites in Germany, Ireland, France, and other nations.
On August 25, arsonists targeted a church in Bad Wörishofen, Germany, where they attempted to burn the altar cloth, causing thousands of euros worth of damage. The parish priest commented, “The altar is not an ordinary table, but a consecrated place,” emphasizing the seriousness of the attack. He described it as “gross destruction.”
In Ireland, a 27-year-old man was arrested on August 28 for attempting to set fire to three religious buildings, including two Christian churches in St Johnston.
One of the most severe incidents occurred in Saint Omer, France, on September 1, where an arson attack destroyed the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception. Firefighters fought the fire for several hours before bringing it under control. Authorities identified the suspect as a radical with ties to Antifa, who had previously attempted to set fire to 15 Christian churches.
On the same day, in Greenisland, Northern Ireland, the parish church of the Holy Name was set ablaze, with much of the building destroyed. The church had just celebrated its 70th anniversary the night before.
In Mazara, Sicily, Italy, arsonists set fire to the door of the Church of the Miracle on September 2. Additionally, on September 14, suspected arsonists set fire to the oratory of the Migliarina church in the Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio, completely destroying the interior.
In the Netherlands, a wave of anti-Christian attacks also emerged. In Gennep, a local Marian chapel was the victim of an arson attack on September 7, the third such act of vandalism in recent months. On September 13, arsonists targeted the Saint Willibrord church in Mill, setting fire to a candelabrum and covering the church in soot.
The following day, in Wijchen, the St Anthony Abbot church was severely vandalized. Statues of the Virgin Mary were damaged, and several devotional items were set on fire. A 38-year-old woman from Nijmegen was later arrested on suspicion of involvement in the vandalism and arson.
These attacks have raised concerns about the rising threat of anti-Christian violence across Europe. OIDAC continues to monitor these developments closely, as churches and religious communities call for greater protection and awareness of this growing issue.
