A Public Self-Immolation

Pastor Brüsewitz’s Act of Protest

GDR: Fifty years ago, Pastor Oskar Brüsewitz chose to die by self-immolation in protest against communism. Since then, he has been the subject of controversy and debate. But key documents were missing for decades: His personnel file was kept under lock and key. Now it’s open! And finally, the SED’s narrative of the victim’s “mental illness” can be refuted. The file attests to the integrity and resilience of the fearless pastor. Furthermore, the sources show that it was not only the Stasi but also, in particular, the People’s Police who had him in their sights because of his church work—from day one.

A look back: On August 18, 1976, the Protestant pastor Brüsewitz set himself on fire in front of St. Michael’s Church in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt. He had previously protested the educational and church policies of the GDR’s party and state leadership with a banner. News of Brüsewitz’s self-immolation spread rapidly throughout the GDR. West German television and radio stations, which could be received in many places, had reported on the incident repeatedly beginning on August 20, 1976. In response, the GDR news agency ADN issued a report portraying Brüsewitz as mentally ill.

About 400 people attended the funeral on August 26, 1976, including 70 pastors in their robes. The funeral took place under the watchful eye and complete control of the State Security (Stasi). The event sheds light on the complex lines of conflict between Pastor Brüsewitz, the state, and the church.



PARTICIPANTS

Helmut Matthies Eyewitness, theologian

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Stock Historian, Author

MODERATOR

Prof. Dr. Helmut Müller-Enbergs Political scientist, authorTranslated with DeepL

Next date:

• Date Tuesday, 15/September/2026 19:00
• Venue Deutsches Spionagemuseum
• Address Leipziger Platz 9, 10117 Berlin-Mitte