Fragile countries have collapsed into civil war and flailing politicians have proved incapable of stopping the mayhem

A vigil Mass that was due to take place at the monastery had been moved to a different church

The papal nuncio to Syria delivered a letter from the Pope calling for 'international humanitarian law to be fully respected'

Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan visited beleaguered Christians in northern Iraq last month

The Bishop of Clifton said that violence against civilians can never be justified

A tomb had been desecrated and statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated at the St Addai Chaldean Catholic church

The villagers have been moved to a nearby camp for their safety

Archbishop Warda of Irbil said his country will require intervention in order to achieve reconciliation between the country's divided groups