Six bombs were set off on Sunday 1st August at a number of Christian areas in Iraq, which wounded at least 20 Christians in Baghdad and Mosul. These bombings are the largest terrorist attacks against churches ever.

The Vatican has condemned the attacks. "It is terrible and worrying because it is the first time that Christian churches are being targeted in Iraq," said Vatican deputy spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini.

"There seems to be an attempt to heighten tensions by trying to affect all social groups, including churches," he said.

Christians have inhabited what is modern day Iraq for about 2,000 years. Before the Gulf War in 1991, they numbered about one million, but that figure is now put at about 800,000 and falling as many Christians have been forced to flee the country due to increasing safety fears.

Most Iraqi Christians are Chaldeans, Eastern-rite Catholics who are autonomous from Rome but who recognise the Pope's authority. Chaldeans are an ancient people, many of whom still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus.