Cuba’s socialist revolution promised to provide all the physical and spiritual needs of the people and make religious belief and churches irrelevant. It utterly failed at the former, and the latter is the only hope Cubans now have.
An Op-Ed by Cuban American religious freedom activist Teo Babun via the Las Vegas Sun:
Churches help Cubans through dire times
A quiet but significant gathering took place last month in Camagüey, Cuba. A group of evangelical pastors from across the island convened in secrecy to address escalating political, social, economic and human rights crises.
Their goal was to craft a declaration signed by over 60 church members of the Alliance of Christians of Cuba (ACC) that highlighted their communities’ urgent challenges.
“We are witnessing severe difficulties and strive to bring hope to the most vulnerable: the elderly, children, women, men, and family members of political prisoners who suffer the absence of their loved ones simply for exercising their rights,” the declaration states.
This poignant message resonates deeply during December, Universal Human Rights Month, in shedding light on the critical role of faith communities in Cuba’s ongoing fight for freedom and dignity.
Role of churches in Cuba’s survival
Churches have long been a lifeline for the average Cuban. Amidst economic collapse and natural disasters, foreign ministries have provided humanitarian aid through church networks, distributing food, medicine and even toys.
Yet, their support goes beyond meeting material needs. Since 2018, the evangelical community has spearheaded initiatives opposing totalitarian policies and advocating for political prisoners. Rooted in faith, these actions have made churches targets of government reprisal.
International organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), have documented the ongoing persecution of religious leaders in Cuba. CSW reports harassment, threats, fines and imprisonment of clergy.
Children of faith are bullied in schools, and congregations are pressured to ostracize families of political prisoners. Both registered and unregistered religious groups — representing most Cuban Protestants — operate under constant threat.
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