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Cuban church leaders react to criticism of government jailings and executions
Episcopal News Service
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2003-091-2
Posted: Thursday, May 01, 2003
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Cuban church leaders have responded to criticism of their government by calling for understanding from Christians around the world of the 'grave threats to its security and integrity' the Caribbean island nation faces from the United States.
Cuba's imprisonment of 75 dissidents convicted on charges of working with the US to overthrow the Cuban government, and its swift trial and execution of three men who hijacked a commuter ferry at gunpoint, provoked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and religious leaders ranging from Pope John Paul II to World Council of Churches General Secretary Konrad Raiser.
Twenty-three Cuban Protestant leaders responded on 23 April with an open letter to churches around the world. Among the signatories is Dr. Reinerio Arce-Valentin, president of the Cuban Council of Churches, a group of more than 30 Protestant churches and ecumenical bodies.
In the letter the Cuban church leaders state their disagreement with some of their government's actions, and declare they have 'exercised our evangelical and prophetic mission of criticizing all that is wrong, thus contributing to the improvement of our society.' They also promise to honor the 'evangelical imperative to provide spiritual counsel' to those in prison.
In response to the execution of the three hijackers, the Protestant leaders make clear their opposition to the death penalty, saying: 'Life is a gift of God and no one has a right to take it away.' Yet they argue that the Scriptures call them to 'pastoral and prophetic comprehension of those who govern us and watch out for the destiny of our country, [and] who, facing a dramatic and dangerous situation, have severely applied the applicable laws.'
The church leaders condemn 'US government financing, support and protection' for opposition groups inside Cuba, an activity the church leaders claim has increased in recent months under the direction of James Cason, the top US diplomat in Cuba. The US government and the dissidents have denied any wrongdoing. The letter expresses concern that the US-led invasion of Iraq was a prelude to military aggression against Cuba.
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