“Europe Facing Wave of Anti-Christianity”; Increase in Attacks on Churches and Worshippers During Easter Week
A fresh report from the “Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe” (OIDAC Europe) reveals concerning increases in violence and hatred against Christians in European countries; a wave that intensified during Holy Week and Easter celebrations, including attacks on churches, arson, desecration of religious symbols, and physical violence against priests and worshippers. Observers say that what was once considered isolated incidents has now become a persistent pattern of anti-Christian hostility in Europe.
Based on an April 2026 analysis prepared and published by OIDAC Europe, at least 38 hate crimes against Christians have been recorded across Europe; crimes targeting places of worship, cemeteries, religious symbols, and even individual Christians.
The report states that France recorded the highest number of attacks with 10 incidents, followed by Germany and Italy, each with 7 cases, in subsequent rankings. Other cases have been reported in Spain, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands, Britain, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
According to OIDAC Europe, a significant portion of these attacks occurred during Holy Week and Easter celebrations; a period considered the most important religious occasion for Christians worldwide. In some cases, attackers directly entered churches and disrupted worship services.
Among the most severe incidents recorded are arson attacks on churches in Germany and Italy, an explosion near a Christian center in the Netherlands, and a violent attack on a church in France during Easter celebrations. The report also documented the destruction of crosses, breaking of religious statues, damage to cemeteries, and the spread of anti-Christian and satanic slogans.
Some of these incidents were accompanied by direct violence against individuals. In Ireland, a priest was attacked while conducting a communion service. In Spain, an attacker wielded an axe against individuals and, according to reports, shouted anti-Christian slogans during the assault. One quote published in the report states that the attacker screamed: “All Christians must die.”
OIDAC Europe warned that recorded statistics likely represent only a small portion of the actual reality, as many acts of vandalism, thefts, and suspicious fires against churches are not formally classified as “hate crimes” due to insufficient evidence. The organization emphasized that current trends indicate “ongoing security challenges against places of worship and Christian communities in Europe.”
Other reports show that concerns about increased hostility toward Christians are not limited to a single month or country. OIDAC Europe’s annual report stated that in 2024 alone, over 2,200 anti-Christian crimes were recorded in Europe, with physical attacks and church arsons showing an upward trend.
In Britain, a separate study on crimes related to churches and religious places has increased concerns about the security of Christian places of worship. Meanwhile, some church leaders and religious rights activists warn that Europe’s cultural and political climate is evolving in a way that makes open expression of Christian identity subject to pressure, threats, or even violence in some communities.
