Politicians from all the communities in Northern Ireland have condemned the killing of a Catholic man in what is seen as a rare sectarian attack in a once conflict-afflicted area - but which shows the real challenge to peace in the province.

Christians from different backgrounds came together to pray last night at the site of the brutal killing of two soldiers in Northern Ireland. Their message was that there must be no return to sectarian violence.

Church and civic leaders in Iraq are expressing concern after reports that a number of churches were bombed on Sunday 6 January 2007, following Eid and Christmas, and at a time when Orthodox Christians were celebrating New Year’s Eve.

Leaders of Iraq's various communities living in exile have expressed continuing concerns over the possibility of more sectarian violence following the execution of former dictator Saddam Hussein, says Journal Chretien in France