In Europe, 38 crimes against Christians recorded in April

The cover of the April report by the human rights organization OIDAC Europe. Photo: OIDAC Europe

38 hate crimes directed against believers, their shrines and symbols were documented by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) during April 2026.

Human rights defenders classified 15 cases as vandalism, 5 as desecration of shrines, and 5 as deliberate arson. The most high-profile incidents were church fires in Castrezzato (Italy) and Arnsberg (Germany), as well as an explosion at a Christian center in Nieuwkerk, Netherlands.

The organization's report also mentions an incident involving desecration of a statue of the Mother of God in the village of Zhovkva, Lviv region.

Experts expressed particular concern about the surge in physical violence. In Spain, an attacker assaulted a Christian woman with an axe while shouting anti-Christian slogans, and in Ireland an assailant beat a priest right during the celebration of mass. France led in the number of attacks (10 cases), followed by Germany and Italy (7 cases each).

Radical aggression intensified during Holy Week and Easter. During this period, human rights defenders recorded disruptions of divine services, beheading of church statues, destruction of crucifixes, and the appearance of satanic graffiti on temple walls.

As researchers note, official statistics reflect only a small part of the real picture, as hundreds of cases of theft, break-ins, and "suspicious fires" in churches are often not classified by police as hate crimes due to the absence of "clear evidence."

In addition to direct violence, Christians in Europe face systemic pressure through courts and discriminatory laws. In Great Britain, retired pastor Clive Johnston was convicted for conducting an outdoor service, and a congregation in Essex received an official court ban on preaching about the existence of hell, which authorities deemed "disturbing."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Bila Tserkva a man was nearly killed for the greeting "Christ is risen!"

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