Iraqi christian congregation massacred in al-Qaida attack

IRAQ’S dwindling Christian community was grieving and afraid yesterday after militants seized a Baghdad church during evening Mass, held the congregation hostage and triggered a raid by Iraqi security forces.

The attack left at least 52 people killed and 67 wounded – nearly everyone inside.

The attack, claimed by an al-Qaida-linked organisation, is the latest assault against Iraq’s Christians, whose numbers have plummeted since the 2003 US-led invasion as the community has fled to other countries.