by Obianuju Mbah, Christian Today
There were dozens of anti-Christian incidents across Europe in April, including violent attacks during Easter services, church vandalism, desecrations, arson cases, and assaults on clergy and worshippers.
According to an analysis by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe), 38 anti-Christian hate crimes were recorded last month, with incidents targeting churches, cemeteries, religious symbols, as well as Christians themselves.
France recorded the highest number of cases at 10, followed by Germany and Italy, both at 7.
OIDAC Europe said April saw a notable rise in incidents involving direct violence and disruption of worship, particularly during Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
Among the most serious incidents highlighted were attacks on churches in Germany and Italy, a violent intrusion into a French church during Easter festivities, and assaults on Christians in Ireland and Spain.
The report also documented repeated acts of vandalism against statues, crucifixes, altars, tabernacles, and grave crosses, alongside anti-Christian graffiti and satanic slogans – particularly in France and Italy.
Researchers noted that while arson-related attacks reduced slightly compared to March, hostility expressed through intimidation, violence, and attacks on Christian symbols became more pronounced around Easter.
Several incidents involved physical violence. These included the reported assault of a priest during Mass in Ireland, an axe attack in Spain allegedly involving expressions of hostility toward Christians, and an attack on a Christian woman in Barcelona motivated by her religious identity.
Beyond the officially recorded hate crimes, OIDAC Europe said a much larger number of thefts, break-ins, acts of vandalism, and suspicious fires affecting churches and cemeteries were also reported across Europe during the month, including repeated burglaries and thefts from churches in Germany and Italy.
Although many of these incidents were not formally classified as hate crimes due to insufficient evidence of motive, the organisation warned they still point to “ongoing vulnerabilities affecting Christian communities and places of worship”.