At least 12 people have been killed and 232 wounded in clashes between Muslims and Christians outside a church in Cairo, while Muslims have attacked Christian churches across the country—prompting calls for international protection from the Coptic community.

Violence began on Saturday evening as Muslims massed outside the St. Mena Church, prompted by a rumor that a Christian woman who married (or had an affair with—the reports disagree) a Muslim was being imprisoned in the church.

These types of rumors are common in Egypt, and commonly proved false.

The Copts rallied to protect their church. Both sides brought guns, and the conflict quickly turned violent. The nearby Church of the Virgin Mary was burned to the ground.

Cherubim Awad, a priest at St. Mena, believes the attacks are part of an organized conspiracy. “Five churches were attacked on the same night,” he said. “From the beginning of this year we have had all these attacks in a short space of time.

“There is some hidden hand behind this, whether from inside the country or outside it.”

Christians also accused the Egyptian government of not protecting Christians. “I called everyone, but no one bothered to come,” said Abanoub, pastor of the church. “I mourn all those young people who died. We now must ask for international protection.”

This sentiment was echoed by many after the attacks. Hundreds demonstrated outside Egypt’s state tv headquarters to criticize the army and call for international intervention.

“The ones who are responsible for this have not been arrested,” said the owner of a plastics factory, Hatem Shariff. “We are asking for international protection because the government cannot protect us. They are with the Salafists.”

The protesters called for the United States, the European Union and the United Nations to intervene.

This is the latest in a series of attacks in Egypt and across the Middle East. On December 31 in Alexandria, Egypt, 21 Coptic Christians were killed and 79 were wounded when a bomb left outside the door of the Two Saints Coptic Church exploded in the worst attack on Christians in the country since 2006.

Now the Copts are calling out for international help—and one organization has indicated it is willing to listen.

John Allen wrote in the National Catholic Reporter on January 10 that Pope Benedict xvi’s speeches confirm that “religious freedom, and especially the defense of embattled Christians, has become the Vatican’s supreme diplomatic priority.”

The persecution of Christians in the Middle East was one of the triggers of the First Crusade. Once again they are calling for international help.

Expect the Vatican to take the lead in answering that call.