We want to thank the many who have inquired about the welfare of our brothers and sisters here in Bulgaria after the recent attack in the city of Burgas. First we want to assure you that everyone is okay and we do not expect more attacks. Of the five brothers that received medical attention, none of the injuries were life- threatening. One brother did have surgery to correct damage done to his nose. So what exactly led up to this attack?
The protesters were organized by a political group called the VMRO. Their political platform is run on the idea of a “clean Bulgaria”, or getting rid of all influences that are not Bulgarian in origin (a little like the Nazi party). They do not currently have a strong foot hold in the government. Interestingly enough, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones they choose to publicly ridicule.
Maybe because we are good press for them. For over ten years they have spread lies about us through the media calling us a “dangerous sect” and claiming that we encourage suicide, kill our children and refuse medical treatment. They also claim that we are banned in many European countries, even though, we are not of course.
Since becoming a branch in 2007, a legal department was formed here in Bulgaria that now sues the media when they make these false accusations. Because of this, members of the VMRO have started to make personal appearances on TV so that they can tell their lies, since the media will no longer do it for them. The VMRO have enough people in key places that it has made it extremely difficult to build Kingdom Halls on property that organization already owns. In the worst case in Varna, the legal department has taken the city to court over their illegal actions with regards to our property there for close to ten years. Of course, the fact that JW are winning their court battles is increasingly frustrating to the VMRO.
The day after the attack, the VMRO party leader for Sofia said in an interview that they purposefully chose the Memorial of Christ’s Death for the protest because from their viewpoint this dangerous sect should not be allowed to have anything to do with Jesus Christ. (Previously, one of the biggest misconceptions about JWs was that we do not believe in Jesus. Now it is known nationally that we do.) He also said that they felt they had to respond more aggressively since during the previous three weeks we had also been more aggressive in our preaching work (the campaign for distributing invitations to the Memorial).
As we know, Jehovah can turn any curse into a blessing. Although we are sorry that the local brothers and sisters had to endure this attack, it has resulted in a great witness. Most Bulgarians are shocked and appalled at the violence that took place. It has softened many peoples attitude towards JWs. For the first time the media has allowed JW to give a clear evidence to refute the lies that have been told about us and they are also realizing that we are a worldwide organization and not some small sect. In fact, the media has actually turned on the VMRO and are ruthlessly criticizing them for their role in this.
Currently charges are being pressed against 15 of the 60 men at the attack, no doubt this list will grow longer as others are identified.. One sister who was in the Kingdom Hall at the time commented that she truly felt like a sheep under the protection of a shepherd because the elders instructed them to stay inside the Kingdom Hall while they stayed in the foyer and blocked the front door, with injury to themselves, so that no one could get past them into the hall.
The official account of what happened is at www.jw-media.org . Feel free to share this information with the brothers and sisters personally, but please do not read this email at a meeting. Please keep Bulgaria in your prayers.
Your Friends,
Jesse and Jessica
