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.

Dr Suha Rassam, founder of the charity Iraqi Christians in Need (ICIN) and author of the book Christianity in Iraq, has been named one of the four Catholic Women of the Year. Dr Rassam set up the charity last year with a group of fellow Iraqis.