For dissidents in Cuba, not even a church is safe haven from the beatings administered by Castro State Security. The diabolical regime could care less about the sanctity of a house of worship, and the leadership of the Catholic Church in Cuba has in effect become an accomplice of the regime, aiding and enabling their repression.

Via Uncommon Sense:

At Havana church, Cardinal Ortega is on the wrong side

As Cardinal Jaime Ortega serves as spokesman for and defender of the Castro dictatorship, outside one of his churches Tuesday secret policemen beat one woman opposed to the regime and arrested another after they tried to join others inside praying for the release of political prisoners.

On the 8th of each month, people gather at the church, Our Lady of Regla in Havana, to pray for the release of political prisoners. This month, that was the dictatorship's cue to bring a group of junior high students — that's right, CHILDREN! — to shout slogans and harass the faithful and discourage people from trying to get inside.

Journalist and former political prisoner Dania Virgen García and opposition activist Rebeca Rojas Villán were not so easily swayed. But when they tried to get to the church, they were assaulted by six secret policemen, according to a report from independent journalist Ainí Martín Valero.

Rojas, who was left with several bruises on her arms, was able to get away and run into the church,. But the thugs were able to restrain Virgen and haul her way. Her whereabouts late Tuesday were unknown.

The goons then surrounded the church and blocked anyone else from entering.

For seven months now, since the announcement of a church-brokered deal for the release of Cuba's 52 best-known political prisoners, Cardinal Ortega has insisted that all the prisoners will eventually be freed, the Castro regime can be trusted, that it is time to soften the U.S. embargo, etc.

But for those seven months, Ortega has made clear that he sides not with members of his flock, especially those risking what little freedom they enjoy to demand change in Cuba, but with those who oppress them.

Ortega has stood not with Rebeca Rojas Villán and Dania Virgen García, but with those — the Castros and their regime — who turn children into slaves and block people from gathering in one of his churches to pray.

The events Tuesday again show that Ortega is on the wrong side.

Update: Instalanche!! Thanks Glenn and welcome Instapundit readers!