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.

Churches in Pakistan, condemning the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, have appealing for international help in eradicating terrorism in their country and securing its welfare in the aftermath of tragedy.

The leader of the Taize community has urged tens of thousands of young Christians from Europe who gathered in Geneva at the New Year to organize "vigils of reconciliation" for unity between churches divided from each other.

Churches and society at large need to offer reparation to descendants of those enslaved, tortured and murdered by the transatlantic slave trade, says an international conference sponsored by three major ecumenical organizations.