Initial reports blame the attacks on members of the Muslim Fulani tribe against the Christian Berom tribe.

The agency cited women employed in private homes as in need of protection from abuse and exploitation.

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.