WASHINGTON -- Iraqi Christians face "extinction" unless Islam recognizes the fundamental equality of all people and takes steps to overcome violent factions that seek to force religious minorities from the country, said Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil.

NEW DELHI -- Catholic churches and institutions in flood-hit Mumbai opened their doors to accommodate thousands of people stranded in the city by heavy rain and flooded streets.

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Ethnic indigenous Catholics, joined by priests, women religious, Muslims and Buddhists, staged a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking to have land returned that allegedly was appropriated by a Buddhist monk.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso -- A bishop leader in Burkina Faso called on the world to stop the massacre of Christians by foreign-backed Islamist groups that are "better armed and equipped" than government forces.

MANILA, Philippines -- Catholics in a northern Philippines archdiocese marched in support of church leaders accused of conspiring to overthrow President Rodrigo Duterte.

WESTPHALIA, Texas -- The Church of the Visitation in Westphalia, a nearly 125-year-old wooden church with bell towers on each side, burned to the ground July 29.

METUCHEN, N.J. -- New Jersey's new law allowing assisted suicide, effective Aug. 1, "points to an "utter failure" on the part of government and indeed all society, said Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen.