At least 308 incidents have occurred across 43 states and the District of Columbia since May 2020.
Incidents include arson, statues beheaded, limbs cut, smashed, and painted, gravestones defaced with swastikas and anti-Catholic language and American flags next to them burned, and other destruction and vandalism.
This list shows incidents of vandalism, arson, or other destruction at Catholic sites that have been publicly reported in news media.
It excludes incidents where circumstances suggest a motive other than hostility toward the Church.
Statements, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Committee Chairman Offers Reflection for Religious Freedom Day 2022, January 14, 2022 - https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/us-bishops-religious-liberty-committee-chairman-offers-reflection-religious-freedom-day
One Hundred Incidents of Vandalism Reported at Catholic Sites in U.S. Since May 2020, October 14, 2021 - https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/one-hundred-incidents-vandalism-reported-catholic-sites-us-may-2020
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, chairman, Committee on Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, statement, “Bishop Chairmen Condemn Acts of Vandalism, Destruction at Catholic Sites,” July 22, 2020 - https://usccb.org/news/2020/20-123.cfm
November 2023
November 29: Statue of St. Joseph toppled and broken in half, steps damaged (St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Indianapolis, IN) - https://www.wishtv.com/news/crime-watch-8/shattered-statue-leads-indianapolis-church-to-call-for-prayers-and-police/
November 22: Stained glass window broken, church ransacked (Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Irwindale, CA) - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-27/our-lady-of-guadalupe-catholic-mission-is-vandalized-ransacked-in-irwindale
November 11: Crude images spraypainted on exterior of church (St. Andrew Catholic Church, Eagle River, AK) - https://alaskawatchman.com/2023/11/16/vandal-defiles-eagle-river-church-for-third-time-in-18-months/
November 5: Paint splattered on front doors and signs (Cathedral of the Annunciation, Stockton, CA) - https://angelusnews.com/local/california/stockton-cathedral-vandalized-hate/
November 1: Stained glass front doors smashed, satanic graffiti (Holy Family Catholic Church, Eastmoreland, OR) - https://www.thebeenews.com/news/eastmoreland-s-holy-family-catholic-church-vandalized-on-hallowe-en/article_45958b54-81bf-11ee-bb28-af06891ae962.html
November 1: Statues of Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi broken (Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Staten Island, NY) - https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2023/11/religious-statues-vandalized-on-staten-island-nypd-is-investigating.html
October 2023
October 31: Over a dozen incidents, including pro-life signs stolen, church and school front doors vandalized, signs spraypainted, ahead of vote on abortion-related proposition (Achdiocese of Cincinnati) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255889/pro-abortion-vandals-target-ohio-catholic-churches-schools-before-issue-1-vote
October 30: Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary broken (St. Andrew Avellino Church, Flushing, NY) - https://thetablet.org/a-statue-outside-queens-church-vandalized-third-attack-on-a-church-in-a-week/
October 24: Large, historic Crucifix damaged by man hanging and swinging from it (Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, MA) - https://nypost.com/2023/10/26/news/michael-patzelt-allegedly-vandalizes-boston-jesus-statue/
October 16: Cross stolen from main altar (St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, Bisbee, AZ) - https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/cochise-county/gold-plated-cross-stolen-from-st-patrick-roman-catholic-parish-in-bisbee
October 10: Damage to two statues outside of church (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Broussard, LA) - https://www.kadn.com/news/arrest-made-in-vandalism-of-jesus-statue-at-broussard-church/article_ddc8b4e4-691b-11ee-bf34-37c06cce0868.html
October 6: Fire set to altar cloth, tabernacle cloth, and lectionary by two 12-year-olds (St. John the Evangelist Church, East Bridgewater, MA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255635/two-12-year-olds-identified-as-vandals-in-massachusetts-church-fire
October 2: Pipe organ, marble walls, and plate glass windows damaged (St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Madawaska, ME) - https://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/10/04/news/aroostook/madawaska-church-vandalism-may-hate-crime-n6hjn1me0n/
October 2: Pro-life sign defaced (St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO) -https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255566/pro-life-display-vandalized-at-st-louis-county-parish
October 1: Crosses for pro-life display pulled up from lawn (Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Elmhurst, IN) - https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/elmhurst-churchs-pro-life-display-vandalized-cops
September 2023
September 16: Graffiti multiple times over three-week period (Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston, ME) - https://wgme.com/news/local/three-catholic-churches-lewiston-vandalized-last-weeks-hate-crime-statues-parish-virgin-mary-lamb
September 16: Statues stolen and damaged (Holy Family Church, Lewiston, ME) - https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/22/man-arrested-woman-summonsed-in-recent-church-vandalism-thefts-in-lewiston/
September 13: Statue of Jesus beheaded (Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport, LA) -https://www.fox8live.com/2023/09/14/jesus-statue-beheaded-louisiana-catholic-school-vandalism-suspect-sought/
September 10: Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stolen (Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo, ND) - https://kfgo.com/2023/09/18/religious-statue-stolen-from-outside-st-marys-cathedral-in-fargo/
September 7: Crucifix stolen from gravesite of Charelene Richard, Servant of God (St. Edward Catholic Church, Church Point, LA) - https://www.klfy.com/local/acadia-parish/church-parishioners-react-to-little-cajun-saint-grave-robbery/
September 2: Classrooms trashed, desks broken, computer screens smashed, and windows shattered (Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Santa Clarita, CA) - https://www.foxla.com/news/santa-clarita-catholic-school-vandalized-classrooms-smart-screens-wrecked
August 2023
August 31: Fire started in dumpster on church property, moved to roof and sanctuary causing significant damage (St. Joseph Catholic Church, Salem, OR) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255259/oregon-catholic-church-fire-determined-to-be-arson-suspect-arrested
August 23: Sacred items, including a Crucifix, desecrated and non-sacred items damaged inside church (Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Blanc, MI) - https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/vandals-damage-sacred-symbols-in-holy-family-catholic-church/article_8a3dee10-41e9-11ee-b597-4f51985e8430.html
August 12: Man used snow shovel to break statues, vases, candles, and other items, attempted to set carpet on fire (Immaculate Conception Church, Willoughby, OH) - https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/08/14/50k-bond-set-man-accused-vandalizing-willoughby-church/
August 7: Window broken (Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, Lewiston, ME) -https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/22/man-arrested-woman-summonsed-in-recent-church-vandalism-thefts-in-lewiston/
July 2023
July 29: Stained glass windows broken (Notre Dame Church, Ogdensburg, NY) - https://www.nny360.com/ogdensburg-church-s-famed-horwood-stained-glass-vandalized/article_f3e54842-953a-5f74-a303-7d44c05f304b.html
July 17: Holy oil poured out, crosses turned upside down, satanic imagery written on items inside church (Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, El Paso, TX) - https://www.ncregister.com/cna/police-arrest-man-accused-of-vandalizing-el-paso-catholic-church
July 15: Man broke into church through window, chased staff out of building, damaged Crucifix (Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, New York, NY) - https://thetablet.org/lower-manhattan-church-vandalized-in-latest-series-of-attacks/
July 8: Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary spray-painted (Resurrection Church, Brooklyn, NY) - https://thetablet.org/arrests-made-saturday-in-two-incidents-at-catholic-churches-in-diocese/
June 2023
June 28: Attempted break-in, damage to historic structure including Rose Window (Mission San José, San Antonio, TX) - https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/mission-san-jose-break-in-18189112.php
June 28: Cross sawn down (Santiago Retreat Center, Silverado, CA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254729/destruction-of-catholic-retreat-center-s-cross-a-possible-hate-crime-orange-county-authorities-say
June 16: Satanic messages spray-painted on exterior of school (Annunciation Catholic School, Denver, CO) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254844/two-more-anti-catholic-attacks-church-in-el-paso-and-school-in-denver-vandalized
June 10: Woman spray-painted messages on church walls, damaged altar (St. Timothy Catholic Church, Miami, FL) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254561/woman-charged-with-vandalizing-miami-catholic-church-desecrating-altar
June 5: Man smashed photographs in rectory, spread paint thinner in rectory basement, smashed head with monstrance, and threw consecrated hosts from the Tabernacle on the ground (St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Queens, NY) - https://nypost.com/2023/06/07/crazed-vandal-wrecks-pope-francis-photo-dresses-up-in-priest-robes-at-nyc-church-report/
May 2023
May 23: Woman set fire to outdoor chapel (Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines, IL) -https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254411/woman-arrested-in-connection-with-arson-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe-shrine-in-illinois
May 14: Multiple statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary broken, knocked down (Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Goose Creek, SC) - https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/berkeley-county-news/several-statues-of-mary-vandalized-at-goose-creek-catholic-church/
May 2: Furniture toppled, inscriptions defaced (Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University, Seattle, WA) - https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-university-chapel-vandalized-crime-furniture-capitol-hill-books-inscriptions-catholic-jesuit-religious-st-ignatius-church-jewish-temple-flyers-edmonds-kirkland-campus-ministry-police-investigation-fbi-congregants-cars-hate
May 2: Brick thrown through glass door (Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Brooklyn Heights, NY) - https://thetablet.org/police-looking-for-vandals-who-targeted-catholic-charities-office/
April 2023
April 16: Interior of church vandalized (Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Churubusco, NY) - https://www.pressrepublican.com/news/immaculate-heart-of-mary-church-in-churubusco-vandalized/article_bb10322e-f012-11ed-8426-27669200ed33.html
April 10: Exterior graffitied with satanic symbols (St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Johnstown, PA) - https://www.wtaj.com/news/local-news/police-investigating-pentagrams-message-spray-painted-on-johnstown-church/
April 8: Statues of Holy Family vandalized (St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, CA) - https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/menlo-park-man-accused-vandalizing-mary-joseph-statues-st-patricks-seminary-easter-weekend/
April 1: Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe smashed (Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Corona, CA) - https://www.cal-catholic.com/midnight-smashing-of-marian-statue-in-corona-ca/
April 1: Altar overturned and broken, statue and other objects broken (St. Paulinus Catholic Church, Syracuse, NE) - https://rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48699328/suspect-charged-for-church-vandalism
March 2023
March 20-April 24: Over the course of three nights man toppled statues and defiled altar (St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Metairie, LA) - https://www.nola.com/news/jefferson_parish/paul-laborde-st-edwards-metairie-buttocks-church/article_a9713a86-57f0-11ee-b792-1b561660937e.html
March 23: Statue of angel destroyed (Holy Family Parish, Fresh Meadows, NY) - https://thetablet.org/police-seek-teenage-vandals-who-destroyed-statue-outside-queens-church/
March 11: Vandalism to Crucifix and interior of church, smashed windows (Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Gales Ferry, CT) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253854/police-looking-for-man-who-vandalized-connecticut-catholic-church
February 2023
February (date not given): Unspecified vandalism (St. Joseph Catholic Church, Manistee, MI) - https://www.manisteenews.com/news/article/manistee-tallies-8-b-e-vandalism-incidents-done-17823221.php
January 2023
January 26: Pro-life signs defaced (St. Stephen Catholic Church, Riverview, FL) - https://patch.com/florida/bloomingdale/fl-church-responds-prayer-abortion-issue-divides-communities
January 25: Statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus vandalized (Good Shepherd Church, Fall River, MA) - https://turnto10.com/news/local/vandals-hit-good-shepherd-church-fall-river-massachusetts-infant-jesus-blessed-mother-statue-january-25-2023
January 23: Woman overturned potted plant, smashed statue of Jesus Christ (St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo, ND) - https://www.ncregister.com/cna/woman-arrested-at-fargo-cathedral-for-smashing-christ-in-death-statue
January 20: Front doors vandalized (St. Boniface Catholic Church, Cincinnati, OH) - https://local12.com/news/local/two-cincinnati-churches-hit-by-vandalism-break-ins-over-last-week-vandals-thieves-burglary-refrigerator-food-emptied-kitchen-items-stolen-southern-baptist-church-reading-road-avondale-graffiti-front-doors-st-boniface-roman-catholic-cincinnati-ohio
January 20: Baby Jesus stolen, statues damaged (San Pablo Catholic Church, Marathon, FL) - https://cbs12.com/news/local/baby-jesus-stolen-san-pablo-cathloic-church-marathon-florida-nativity-scene-florida-keys
January 18: Pro-life memorial defaced (St. Rosalia Church, Greenfield, PA) - https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/01/20/st-rosalia-church-unborn-child-monument-greenfield-church-zubik-vandalism/stories/202301200099
January 17: Glass door shattered, image of Our Lady of Guadalupe slashed, statues and other religious items stolen, walls graffitied (Mary Queen of Peace, Billings, MT) - https://www.bluemountaineagle.com/life/national/billings-south-side-church-recovering-from-vandalism-theft/article_d9afbeaf-1f93-523e-982b-6d5f62f2bd43.html
January 16: Statues for outdoor nativity set smashed, stolen (St. Patrick Co-Cathedral, Billings, MT) - https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/montana-churchs-nativity-scene-vandalized-the-wise-men-were-all-decapitated
January 13: Man threw brick through window of front door, attempted to set flagpole on fire (St. Agnes Catholic Church, Blackwood, NJ) - https://6abc.com/catholic-church-vandalized-peter-sirolli-arrest-st-patrick-rhuch-theresa/12698488/
January 13: Man attempted to throw rock through window (St. Teresa Church, Runnemede, NJ) -https://6abc.com/catholic-church-vandalized-peter-sirolli-arrest-st-patrick-rhuch-theresa/12698488/
January 13: Cross set on fire on church lawn (St. Patrick’s Church, Woodbury, NJ) -https://6abc.com/catholic-church-vandalized-peter-sirolli-arrest-st-patrick-rhuch-theresa/12698488/
January 10: Glass windows of front door shattered by thrown object (St. Mary Catholic Church, Escondido, CA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253339/california-church-vandalized-three-times-since-christmas-suspect-apprehended
January 9: Bottle thrown at statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Mary Catholic Church, Escondido, CA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253339/california-church-vandalized-three-times-since-christmas-suspect-apprehended
January 8: Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary smashed (All Saints Catholic Church, Ft. Worth, TX) - https://fortworthreport.org/2023/07/10/this-is-a-big-deal-two-deacons-replace-vandalized-virgin-mary-statue/
January 5: Altar smashed with sledgehammer, reliquaries stolen (Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, AR) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253275/arkansas-monastery-s-altar-desecrated-with-sledgehammer-1500-yr-old-relics-stolen
January 5: Nativity scene vandalized (St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Jamaica, NY) - https://thetablet.org/parishioners-horrified-after-vandals-destroy-nativity-in-queens-just-hours-before-the-epiphany/