Representatives of churches in Iraq have confirmed their commitment to work together with all Iraqi citizens for reconciliation and rebuilding peace in the country in the wake of the recent elections there.

Words of encouragement from local, regional and international church leaders, who want Christians to remain in Iraq, have not been able to stem a tide of Iraqi refugees from leaving their country in the face of violence.

Catholic bishops in the UK have spoken out over the “systematic and deliberately relentless” persecution of Christians in Iraq during an emotional Mass at Westminster Cathedral filled with families mourning lost loved ones.

A recent meeting of Iraqi Christian refugees and church representatives from around the world has head heart-rending stories of suffering, says Annegret Kapp. Now it is time to back words with action.

The news that Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho in Iraq has been killed could force the Church underground, say Iraqi Christians. The Chaldean Catholic archbishop's body was found yesterday.

Christianity in Iraq is staring oblivion in the face, declares a commentary in the Methodist Recorder newspaper in the UK - which focuses on the concerns of Iraqis surveying the current devastating situation in their country from the outside.