Anti-Christian Arson Attacks Reach 2026 High Across Europe

LONDON — Arson attacks on Christian sites across Europe reached their highest monthly count of 2026 in May, according to data cited by Christian Today, continuing a trend that has alarmed church leaders and religious freedom advocates.

The attacks span multiple countries and include fires set at historic churches, vandalism of religious symbols, and physical assaults on clergy. Observers say the incidents reflect a sharp rise in anti-Christian hostility that has gone largely unaddressed by European governments.

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) has tracked thousands of anti-Christian incidents across the continent in recent years. Its reports consistently show France, Germany, and the United Kingdom among the countries with the highest incident counts.

Church leaders say the response from law enforcement and politicians has been inadequate. "When a mosque or synagogue is attacked, there is immediate condemnation at the highest levels," one advocacy leader said. "Churches are attacked and there is silence."

In the United Kingdom, a petition with more than 11,000 signatures has been launched against what organizers call "two-tier policing," citing cases where officers allegedly treated incidents involving Christian sites differently from attacks on other religious properties.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has highlighted the trend in its Decision Magazine, calling on Christians to pray for those affected and for governments to act. Religious liberty groups say the pattern demands a coordinated European response before more historic sites are lost.