A joint Vatican-Muslim committee on Tuesday condemned the blasts that killed at least 11 people at churches in Iraq, branding them acts of blind violence that offend God and religion.
"We condemn in particular the suicide attacks (at) places of worship, both against Muslims and against Christians gathered for worship," it said.
The statement was signed by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, and Dr. Hamid Bin Ahmad Al-Rifaie, president of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue.
"Such acts of blind violence offend the sacred name of God and true religion. They evidence a gross misunderstanding of the history and culture of this sorely tried country. They represent a grave threat to peaceful coexistence and the ordered development of Iraqi society," the statement said.
"It is our hope that, with the help of the Almighty and Merciful God, the Iraqi people may finally enjoy the gift of peace, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and genuine collaboration among all its citizens of whatever religious tradition," it said.
The Iraqi government has accused al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi of carrying out coordinated car bombings on churches that killed at least 11 people on Sunday, saying the militants wanted to drive Christians out of the country.