A European religious freedom organisation has reported a sharp increase in anti-Christian incidents during May, with arson attacks emerging as one of the most serious concerns.
According to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe), investigators verified 37 anti-Christian hate crimes across 11 European countries during the month. The incidents included attacks on churches, acts of vandalism, thefts, physical assaults, desecration of sacred sites, and disruption of worship activities.
The organisation said that deliberate fire-setting against Christian properties remained a particularly troubling trend. Thirteen arson attacks were recorded during May, the highest monthly total documented so far this year. The fires affected churches, chapels, parish buildings and other Christian facilities in several countries.
Germany recorded the highest number of reported incidents. Authorities investigated four separate arson attacks in different parts of the country, while other cases involved damage to church property and acts regarded as desecration. Some incidents also created safety risks for local communities after church infrastructure and electrical equipment were deliberately damaged.
Italy experienced eight reported anti-Christian incidents. Among them were cases involving anti-religious graffiti, damage to church buildings, and the destruction of Christian symbols and historic church furnishings. Several attacks appeared to be motivated by hostility towards Christianity and the Church.
France also recorded eight incidents. These included church fires, vandalism, theft of religious items, and damage to Christian monuments. In one case, authorities investigated a suspected arson attack at a parish building while children were reportedly present inside.
Elsewhere in Europe, attacks were reported in Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain. Incidents ranged from vandalism and attempted arson to assaults on clergy and religious believers.
The report highlighted several attacks directed at individual Christians. In Austria, two Catholic students were reportedly injured during an assault. In Poland, a nun was attacked at a bus stop, and her cross necklace was forcibly removed. In Germany, worshippers attending a church service were placed at risk when projectiles were fired at a church building during Mass.
OIDAC Europe also pointed to sustained pressure faced by some Christian organisations. In Leipzig, Germany, a Christian-operated café announced its closure after years of repeated attacks, vandalism and harassment. According to the organisation, the business had endured numerous incidents that eventually made it impossible to continue operating.
The watchdog said the cases demonstrate that anti-Christian hostility extends beyond attacks on church buildings. Christian individuals, ministries and organisations are also increasingly becoming targets of intimidation, harassment and violence.
Germany recorded the largest number of verified incidents in May, followed by Italy and France. Additional reports of thefts, break-ins and fires remain under investigation and were not included in the official figures due to insufficient evidence regarding motive.
The organisation noted that the published statistics likely represent only a portion of the overall problem, as many incidents go unreported or cannot be fully verified.
OIDAC Europe said the pattern of attacks seen during May reflects an ongoing challenge facing Christian communities across the continent, affecting places of worship, religious symbols, Christian ministries and believers in public life.
Adapted and rewritten from reporting by The Christian Post and CDI.
