Increase in criminal acts against Catholic churches
8.2.2025
Question for written answer E-000584/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)
According to a report by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe, 2 444 anti-Christian hate crimes were documented in 2023, including nearly 1 000 in France (41 % of the total in Europe). Of those, 62 % were acts of vandalism, 10 % were arson, and 7 % were acts of physical violence.[1]
The trend took a turn for the worse in 2024, especially in France, where actual and attempted arson attacks against churches increased by more than 30 %[2].
In 2015 the Commission appointed an EU Coordinator on combating antisemitism, and in 2018 it appointed an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred. No one has been appointed to combat Christianophobia.
The lack of effective border controls and shortcomings with regard to the integration of certain populations are resulting in hostile behaviour towards the culture and traditions of the host countries.
- 1.Does the Commission acknowledge that there has been an increase in criminal acts against Catholic churches in Europe?
- 2.What measures does it have in mind to prevent these attacks in Europe?
- 3.Is it planning to appoint a coordinator to combat Christianophobia in 2025, or at a later stage?
Submitted: 8.2.2025