The Union of Belarusian Poles (UBP) has called for the prosecution of Anatol Lemyashonak, chief editor of the Respublika state newspaper, and the publication's staff writer, Anton Andreyenka, over an article deemed "insulting" to the late pope, John Paul II.In the article that appeared on the pages of the June 15 edition of the Respublika, the author, Mr. Andreyenka, likened the Catholic church's missionary activity to "crusades" aimed at proselytism and said that John Paul II's alleged cooperation with the CIA in bringing down communist rule in Poland was "a devilish enterprise," UBP member Andrzej Poczobut told BelaPAN.
"For us, Catholics, the pope is the highest moral authority. Mr. Andreyenka's assertion that Pope John Paul II allegedly engaged in "a devilish enterprise" is insulting. We believe that such allegations seek to offend and humiliate all Catholic faithful in Belarus. Such articles foment animosity between the country's faithful representing different denominations," Mr. Poczobut stressed.
In a statement adopted at its June 16 meeting, the UBP Council accuses the government-controlled newspaper and its staff writer of an offense punishable under the Criminal Code's Article 130 that penalizes the instigation of race, ethnic or religious hatred.
The UBP Council has urged Prosecutor General Pyotr Miklashevich to bring criminal charges against Messrs. Andreyenka and Lemyashonak in connection with the controversial article.
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