Open Letter from Cuban Episcopal Church

The bishop and clergy of the Episcopal Church in Cuba released an open letter on Monday, appealing to the communist regime led by the Castros to cease their violent repression of citizens and to heed their calls for human rights. They insisted it’s time for the violence to end.

In this letter, which was signed by 21 priests, including Bishop Ángel Roberto Rivera Rodríguez, they called on Cuban authorities to stop demanding further “sacrifices” from the struggling population. The priests emphasized that their message serves as a “wake-up call” intended not to incite confrontation but rather to encourage dialogue.

The Church made the letter available on its official website and Facebook, starting off with a quote from Luke 4:18-19 from the Bible. The priests addressed the oppressed Cuban people, stating that, representing the body of Jesus Christ, they cannot remain silent amidst the suffering faced by all during this challenging moment in history.

The priests highlighted the difficult circumstances Cuba is currently experiencing, marked by mass migration that is fracturing families and emptying communities. They pointed out the rising prices and increasing inequality which contradict God’s vision of dignity for every person. The clergy also expressed their deep concerns regarding the hardships—such as hunger, medicine shortages, power outages, and the significant deterioration of the healthcare and education systems.

“These are not just abstract issues; they manifest as empty tables, untreated illnesses, lack of education for the younger generations, and mothers losing hope,” a part of the letter stated.

The Church conveyed its frustration regarding the violent and intimidating tactics used by law enforcement against those who voice their demands for rights that are outlined in the country’s constitution. They underscored that stifling the voices of young Cubans equates to silencing “the present and future of our homeland.”

“With all this in mind, we say: Enough!!” the letter stated, making it clear that no Cuban should resort to violence against another, for political reasons or otherwise.

They expressed their solidarity with the vulnerable and dispossessed, and with anyone suffering for their courage to express their dissent.

The Episcopal Church called upon God’s mercy, urging authorities to listen to the cries of the Cuban people, who they are meant to protect and serve rather than ask for further sacrifices.

“The clergy of the Episcopal Church in Cuba is here to support our people, always aligned with the faithfulness required by the Lord’s cross. We uphold the justice and truth found in the message of Jesus Christ and hope they will embrace Cuba and all who reside here,” the letter concluded.

The Episcopal Church also joined other Christian groups in Cuba and thousands of citizens in showing support for young dissident influencer Anna Sofía Benítez and her mother Caridad Silvente. They were recently sentenced to two years of “limited liberty” for recording and sharing a video concerning a visit from a State Security agent.

Since the late dictator Fidel Castro prohibited Christianity shortly after seizing power in 1959, the communist regime has a long history of persecuting Christians in Cuba. Reports suggest that Cuba ranks among the most dangerous countries for practicing Christianity freely. Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable rise in Christian prayer gatherings in recent months.