August 19, 2011 - A bomb blast severely damaged the St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox Church in the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk earlier this week.
The attack was the second against a Christian church in the city this month. No one was injured in the attack.
The bomb blew a hole in the building, sending bricks across the church floor and damaging furniture.
The pastor says it was third attack against his church in the last five years.
Under Sharia law practiced in Iraq, the damage cannot not be repaired. Islamic law forbids the building of new churches or repair of old ones, no matter the circumstances.
Islamic fundamentalists as well as groups involved in local feuds continue to target Iraqi Christians.
