Europe records 40 anti-Christian hate crimes in June – report

A man holding a wooden cross in an empty church. Photo: Eric Mclean/Pexels

In June 2026, 40 hate crimes against Christians were recorded in Europe across ten countries. This was reported by OIDAC Europe.

According to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, June had the second-highest number of such incidents in 2026 after March, when 41 cases were registered. The attacks targeted churches, clergy, Christian institutions, and individual believers.

The report states that over the month, there were 12 arson attacks, nine cases of vandalism, eight cases of desecration, three incidents of physical violence, three thefts of religious objects, two threats, as well as a disruption of worship and an attempted seizure of a religious site.

The highest number of incidents occurred in France, with 11 cases. Germany recorded eight crimes, Italy seven, Poland four, and Belgium and Spain two each. Anti-Christian incidents were also registered in the Netherlands, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

OIDAC Europe stressed that arson attacks on Christian sites remain the most persistent trend. The organization also noted a rise in vandalism and desecration, saying that many Christian communities face not isolated episodes but ongoing manifestations of hostility.

As the UOJ previously reported, almost 30,000 Christians in Nigeria have fallen victim to violence over the past six years.

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