In Iraq Christians have been forced to curtail festivities that celebrate the birth of Jesus more than 2000 years ago, one of Christianity's most important feasts.
Human rights groups have called on the Iraqi government to do more to protect the country’s Christian minority from an expected increase in violent attacks.
US church and human rights groups are urging President Obama to fix delays and problems affecting refugees and asylum seekers from war-torn Iraq, especially minorities.
In a pastoral sermon remembering Christians killed recently in Baghdad, William Kenney also recalls the many Muslims who have fled from terror too, and challenges the UK government claim that it is safe for people to be repatriated to Iraq.
Christian and Muslim leaders and scholars meeting at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva have called for UN action after a "criminal" church attack in Iraq.
Iraqi Christian communities in Britain have arranged a joint remembrance service for the worshippers killed at the Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Church in Baghdad last weekend.