Iraqi churches used as Islamic State prisons

The Iraqi city of Mosul was once a majority-Christian city, but is now an Islamic State (IS) stronghold, where militants have repurposed deserted church buildings as prisons.

Fides news agency reports that detainees were held at the ancient Chaldean Church of the Immaculate Conception in the eastern part of the city, having been blindfolded and handcuffed.

St George's monastery has also allegedly been used as a female detention centre.

Reports circulated last week that the nearby convent of the Chaldean Sisters of the Sacred Heart had been bombed by IS militants.

Several other Christian churches, Yazidi shrines and Shiite mosques have also been demolished by the group that has declared a caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria.

Almost all of Mosul's Christian inhabitants were driven out in June, given the choice of conversion to Islam or death.

related articles
ISIS makes Mosul\'s Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships
ISIS makes Mosul's Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships

ISIS makes Mosul's Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships

Key Iraqi Christian leader: \'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan\'
Key Iraqi Christian leader: 'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan'

Key Iraqi Christian leader: 'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan'

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians
France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

Iraqi Christians pray close to front line of Islamic State attacks

Iraqi Christians pray close to front line of Islamic State attacks

Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith
Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith

Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith

Prince of Wales condemns \'grotesque and barbarous assault\' on Middle East Christians
Prince of Wales condemns 'grotesque and barbarous assault' on Middle East Christians

Prince of Wales condemns 'grotesque and barbarous assault' on Middle East Christians

Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul
Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul

Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul

News
New Catholic head says lessons must be learned from abuse failings
New Catholic head says lessons must be learned from abuse failings

The newly installed Archbishop of Westminster has said the Church must learn from victims of sexual abuse.

Young adults abandon marriage as pensioners overtake under-25s - report
Young adults abandon marriage as pensioners overtake under-25s - report

The institution of marriage has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past five decades - particularly among young adults.

Iconic cathedral to run truth project during Lent
Iconic cathedral to run truth project during Lent

One of England’s most well-known, historic and picturesque cathedrals has announced plans to run a Lent series looking at truth in the modern world.