Gary, Ind., Aug 22, 2018 / 10:00 am
Monday morning's assault of a priest of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma is being investigated as a hate crime, a police official has told the Chicago Tribune.
A statement attributed to the eparchial chancery said Fr. Basil Hutsko "was attacked and knocked unconscious" in the altar server's sacristy at his parish after celebrating the Divine Liturgy.
Fr. Hutsko, 64, is pastor of St. Michael parish in Merrillville, Ind., immediately south of Gary.
The priest was choked and his head slammed to the ground, making him lose consciousness.