Faith leaders in Kenya have united to condemn attacks on two churches in the northeastern town of Garissa that left 17 people dead and 66 injured.

Whether in Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Egypt, Syria or Lebanon, Christians who were once the bellwethers of healthy Middle Eastern societies are feeling exposed, menaced and insecure. Their churches are being burnt down, relatives or friends are at times being killed, beaten up or abducted, voices are being snuffed out, job opportunities are being denied them and they are almost facing a dhimmitude that had become defunct with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Harry Hagopian asks what response is appropriate, starting from a personal exploration of the issues from a European perspective.

If Syria can develop a modern society respecting a full range of rights, the Christian minority will not need to worry about its future, the global Lutheran chief says.