Six Christian churches in Europe have been set on fire in just one week, according to a report released on Monday by a leading Christian persecution monitoring group.
The European watchdog on intolerance and discrimination against Christians (OIDAC Europe) said there had been a “shocking” number of arson attacks against historic churches across Europe over the past few weeks.
At least nine anti-Christian arson incidents occurred last month, six of which occurred in the week ending September 2nd.
On August 25, an arsonist Church A man went on an assault in the German city of Bad Worishofen trying to burn the altar cloth at a church, causing thousands of euros worth of damage. “The altar is not an ordinary table, it is a sacred place,” the church's parish priest pointed out, adding that “this is not harmless pranking, but gross vandalism.”
Three days later, a 27-year-old man died in St. Johnstone, Ireland. Arrested He was arrested on suspicion of attempting to set fire to three religious facilities, including two Christian churches.
In particular, the arson incident that occurred in Saint-Omer, France on September 1st, Destroyed The historic Immaculate Conception Church. About 120 firefighters battled the blaze for several days before it was finally brought under control.
Police have identified the gunman as a left-wing Antifa extremist who has previously shared anti-Christian and pro-Islamic State content on social media, and who has previously attempted to set fire to 15 Christian churches.
On the same day, an arsonist set fire to the parish. Church A devastating fire has destroyed much of Holy Name Church in Green Island, Northern Ireland, but the church had just celebrated its 70th anniversary the night before.
Italy was also not spared from arson attacks on churches, with door The chapel of the Church of Miracles in the Sicilian city of Mazara was set on fire, and on September 14, a suspected arsonist set fire to the chapel of the Migliarina church on the Tuscan seaside. town The interior of the building in Viareggio was completely destroyed, forcing the evacuation of several young boys.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has seen three similar anti-Christian attacks in the past few weeks.
A local Marian chapel in the southeastern city of Gönnep was the victim of arson. attack On Sept. 7, vandalism occurred at the same church for the third time in recent days.
On September 13, the arsonist fire The candlesticks in St Willibrord's Church in Mill were set ablaze and the church was covered with soot particles.
The following day the monastery church of St. Anthony in Wichen was badly damaged. DestroyedTwo statues of the Virgin Mary were badly damaged and various cult objects were set on fire. A wooden statue of Mary in the Marian Chapel was set on fire along with candles and rosaries. Only the head and torso of the statue were charred but remained relatively intact. In the Lourdes Grotto in the churchyard, a stone statue of Mary was completely destroyed.
Police have arrested a 38-year-old woman from Nijmegen on suspicion of vandalism and arson at St. Anthony's Church.
