The Rev. Petro Hushcha, accused of public exposure and masturbation in the presence of children, and of malicious hooliganism against police officers (akin to "resisting arrest"), was tried in Minsk, Belarus, on August 18 and 19, 1998. On August 21 the judge's "guilty" verdict was announced and Hushcha was sentenced to three years in prison (in addition to the five months he has already spent in confinement). Hushcha's attorneys are convinced that he did not commit these crimes, and they are appealing the conviction. Hushcha's trial and conviction were reported yesterday (August 26) on Ukrainian radio and television news programs.

Many observers believe that the government has pursued this case because of Hushcha's opposition to the repressive policies of the Belarusian government, and his desire to function as a clergyman and religious leader apart from the Russian Orthodox Church (which has a favored status in Belarus). Hushcha is a bishop in the Belarusian Autocephalous (Orthodox) Church. He is also recognized as the leader of the Belarusian National Church of the Augsburg Confession, a "Reformational" movement within the Autocephalous Church. Neither entity is legally recognized by the government.

The charges against Hushcha were derived from an incident that occurred in Minsk in early March. Some of the details regarding the circumstances of Hushcha's arrest were not completely clear to us in the past, but we now know more precisely what actually happened. Hushcha was in the city to protest the government's refusal to register his church. Public restrooms are very scarce in Minsk, and when Hushcha needed to urinate he did so outside, in what he perceived to be a secluded place. Apparently he was being watched by two plainclothes security agents, and soon after the bishop relieved himself they began to chase him. He ran from them, since they had not identified themselves as law enforcement officers, but when they caught him and told him who they were he stopped resisting and went into custody willingly.

Bishop Hushcha attended the sobor of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church in Kyiv, Ukraine, in October 1997. No formal relationship has been established between the ULC and Hushcha, but the ULC has continued to maintain contact with him and to encourage him and his followers in their religious work. The ULC, in cooperation with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, is also assisting them in the translation and publication of religious literature. Two representatives of the ULC were in Minsk for the trial, although they were not permitted to witness the proceedings firsthand since the trial was closed to the public.

Bishop Hushcha has been mistreated while in government custody, and his health has deteriorated. He, his church, his attorneys, and his country are certainly in need of our continuing prayers. Again, if you have forwarded earlier e-mail updates about this sad situation to any other parties, we ask that you would be so kind as to do so with this message as well. Thank you.

Cordially in Christ,

David Jay Webber
Rector, St. Sophia Ukrainian Lutheran Theological Seminary
Ternopil', Ukraine

E-mail: djwebber@hotmail.com