As a result, the church doors now remain closed outside of service times, and the nativity scene has been relocated. Pastor Dr Carsten Roeger has expressed concern over these acts of vandalism, which escalated in March.

“There have been repeated incidents of damage—people urinating in the church, leaving faeces, or smashing beer bottles. The organ in St. Peter’s was even severely damaged with a fire extinguisher. The most disheartening part is that the police are unable to intervene,” shared the sacristan, who noted that in his 24 years of service, he had never witnessed anything like it.

To ensure the church can remain accessible during the Christmas season, the parish council has organized a volunteer security team. The nativity scene has been repositioned so it is still visible through the bars at the rear of the church when the building is closed.

Meanwhile, St. Marien’s, another local church, has taken preventative measures by placing its nativity scene behind glass to deter vandalism.

Source: waltroper-zeitung.de