38 Anti-Christian Hate Crimes Recorded Across Europe in April 2026
Arson attacks, violent assaults during Easter services, explosive device near Christian centre, and wave of desecrations mark a month of elevated hostility against churches and believers across the continent.
During the month of April 2026, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) recorded 38 anti-Christian hate crimes targeting Christian places of worship, religious symbols, religious spaces, and Christian individuals across the continent.
The recorded hate crimes comprised 15 cases of vandalism, 5 cases of desecration, 5 arson-related attacks, 2 thefts specifically targeting religious objects, 5 cases of physical violence, 2 cases involving vandalism combined with violence, 2 incidents classified as incitement, 1 case involving threats, and 1 disruption of worship.
Hate Crimes by Type — April 2026
Particularly serious incidents included arson attacks on a church in Castrezzato, Italy, and a church in Arnsberg, Germany, amid growing vandalism at the same church; the destruction of a chapel in Vechta, Germany, through suspected arson; an explosion targeting a Christian pro-Israel centre in Nijkerk, the Netherlands; and several violent attacks against Christians and clergy in Ireland, France, and Spain.
“A priest was assaulted during Mass at Ennis Cathedral in Ireland. In Spain, a suspect allegedly declared, ‘All Christians must die,’ before carrying out an axe attack.”
— OIDAC Europe, April 2026 AnalysisRecorded incidents of violence included the assault of a priest during Mass in Ireland, an attack on a Christian woman in Spain after the perpetrator identified her religion, an axe attack in Spain accompanied by explicit anti-Christian statements, and a violent intrusion into a church in France during Easter celebrations.
Several incidents also involved direct attacks on central Christian symbols and sacred objects, including decapitated statues, damaged crucifixes, anti-Christian and satanic graffiti, attacks on cemeteries and grave crosses, and repeated vandalism against churches. Attacks during Easter celebrations and Holy Week included the disruption of Easter liturgies, vandalism on Holy Thursday, and incidents timed around Easter weekend.
The highest number of incidents in April 2026 was recorded in France (10), followed by Germany (7) and Italy (7). Click any country card to read details.
A man entered Saint-Clément Church in Arpajon shouting “Allahu akbar” before physically pushing a worshipper. In Sainte-Anne-d’Auray, hostile anti-Christian posters were placed at the sanctuary during Easter by an Antifa collective. In Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, around thirty graves were vandalised including broken crosses and a damaged Virgin Mary statue. Additional incidents occurred in Valenciennes, Saint-Louis, Dampierre-les-Bois, Surgères, Seine-et-Marne, and Rosny-sous-Bois.
View case records →
In Freising, multiple churches were repeatedly vandalised including interior damage and burn marks inside St. Georg Church. In Arnsberg, suspected arson was investigated after smoke and burn damage were found inside the Church of Our Lady. A chapel in Vechta was destroyed by fire on Easter Monday — police are investigating as arson. Additional incidents struck Pirmasens (church windows destroyed), Cottbus (pastor’s residence targeted in political intimidation), and Eppelborn (reliquary cross parts stolen).
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In Castrezzato, an arsonist set fire to decorative fabrics on side altars inside a church. In Rome, an individual entered a church during Easter Vigil shouting blasphemous statements during Mass. In Frosinone province, sacred statues were attacked across several towns including a decapitated statue of Padre Pio. Consecrated hosts were scattered inside the Church of Sant’Anna in Palizzi. Additional vandalism hit the cathedral in Bitonto and a stone crucifix in Santarcangelo di Romagna.
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In Montefrío, a man carried out an axe attack allegedly stating “All Christians must die.” A Christian woman was assaulted in Barcelona after the perpetrator identified her religion. In Oviedo, a Holy Week procession was disrupted by hostile individuals. A mutilated statue of Christ was found in a cemetery in Soria in what authorities suspect may involve ritual elements. The historic cross on the summit of Aneto was deliberately cut down and thrown from the mountain.
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In Trzebinia, satanic graffiti extensively defaced the façade of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In Wierzenica near Poznań, reported arson threats against a historic wooden church led to continuous police protection over nearly two weeks.
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Netherlands: An explosive device detonated outside a Christian pro-Israel centre in Nijkerk shortly before Easter. Case →
Croatia: The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Zagreb was targeted in a nighttime vandalism attack shattering stained-glass windows. Case →
UK (1): Police are investigating suspected arson after a serious fire at St George’s Church cemetery in Dorchester. A Countryside Alliance report also revealed nearly 4,000 crimes affecting churches across the UK in 2025, including 271 in Wales.
Switzerland (1): Repeated vandalism and disrespectful behaviour affecting church and cemetery grounds recorded in Villigen.
Beyond the 38 counted hate crimes, OIDAC Europe documented a considerable number of additional incidents in April: at least 7 thefts specifically targeting religious objects, 19 additional thefts or small thefts involving churches or parish property, 4 attempted thefts, 10 break-ins or attempted break-ins, and 13 additional cases of vandalism, property damage, and graffiti. While anti-Christian bias could not be clearly established in these incidents, they represent a continuing security concern for Christian communities.
At least 8 fires or fire-related incidents with unclear causes were also recorded during the reporting period, including in Romania, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, and Sweden. A historic church in Montenach was entirely destroyed as flames consumed the roof and bell tower. These cases were not counted as anti-Christian hate crimes due to insufficient evidence regarding motive.
“The patterns identified during April 2026 continue to demonstrate persistent security challenges affecting Christian places of worship, religious communities, and visible expressions of Christianity across Europe.”
— OIDAC Europe Conclusion, April 2026Compared to March 2026, April showed fewer arson-related attacks and fewer large-scale desecration incidents, but more cases involving direct violence, intimidation, and disruption of worship. The concentration of attacks during Easter and Holy Week — the holiest period of the Christian calendar — is a pattern OIDAC Europe has highlighted as particularly significant.
Full Report & Country Analysis
OIDAC Europe · April 2026 · Complete Documentation
This report is based on the April 2026 analysis published by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe). The figures presented reflect only incidents documented by OIDAC Europe and cannot capture the full extent of anti-Christian hostility in Europe. Faith & Freedom News is an independent Christian news outlet dedicated to reporting on religious freedom and persecution. Visit fandfnews.com for more.
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