More than 1,000 Christians walked through Hamdaniya on Sunday Feb. 28 in an appeal to Iraq’s central government for protection.

"We condemn the offenses committed by monks, priests and their colleagues in our dioceses,” the bishops said in a statement on Feb. 25.

The president of the country's bishops’ conference said, “We ache for our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives."

If King Juan Carlos of Spain signs a new law easing abortion restrictions, a church official said that no action would be taken against him.

“We can’t let our world food and energy prices be determined by the whims of investors,” said Maryknoll's David Kane.

The apologies reflect General Stanley McChrystal’s new strategy that prioritizes winning over the civilian population.