Historic churches in both Germany and France have suffered extensive damage in arson attacks in the last few weeks.

The historical Baroque “Church of the Cross” in Wissen, Germany, was desecrated and severely damaged on February 10. The police have identified a 39-year-old perpetrator who caused damages worth millions of euros. According to the reports, the man broke open the back door of the church by smashing it with stones, vandalised religious symbols and set fire to the high altar, which has been completely destroyed. Two firefighter squads extinguished the fire.

Meanwhile in France, three Parisian churches were subject to arson attacks last month by unknown perpetrators. The last attack was on the Church of Saint-Laurent in the 10th district on the 24th. According to the findings, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the left side of the door.

A similar incident included a Molotov cocktail thrown against the church door of the Saint Martin des Champs.

Also, the church of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima in the 19th arrondissement has been the victim of two arson attacks – on 17 and 22 January.