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Religious Freedom in Cuba: Faith Amid Oppression of Catholics and Others

Religious Freedom in Cuba: Faith Amid Oppression of Catholics and Others

America's Unique Role, Beacon of Liberty and Hope For Catholics and other Christians

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Jason Ian Poblete
Aug 29, 2024
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The Poblete Dispatches
The Poblete Dispatches
Religious Freedom in Cuba: Faith Amid Oppression of Catholics and Others
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In Cuba, being a practicing Catholic means navigating a complex and often hostile landscape. The Cuban government, rooted in socialist ideology, systematically suppresses religious freedom, targeting those who live their faith fully and openly. For Catholics, the challenges are uniquely severe.

The Communist Party employs a Stasi-like entity, the Office of Religious Affairs—essentially a Religion Police—tasked with controlling and monitoring religious activities across the island. This office keeps religion on a tight leash, ensuring faith doesn't challenge the state's grip on power.

Recent reports that former Cuban regime officials have been allowed to enter the U.S., reportedly some from this office as well, are troubling. None of these people should be allowed to enter the U.S. Here is some background about religious freedom issues in Cuba.

Photo Credit: From Father Castor José Álvarez Devesa in Camagüey, Cuba.

Religious persecution in Cuba is not merely incidental; it is woven into the very fabric of the Cuban socialist system. Catholics who practice their faith do so, knowing they are under constant scrutiny. They face restrictions on worship, limitations on religious education, and the ever-present threat of harassment or worse. In this climate, courage is required to attend Mass and live out one’s beliefs in everyday life. It’s a stark reality that those of us outside Cuba can hardly fathom—a regime that sees the Church not as a community of believers but as a potential threat to its authority.

Yet, despite these formidable obstacles, the Catholic Church in Cuba endures, a testament to the resilience of faith. Brave priests like Father Castor José Álvarez Devesa (pictured here in images sent from Cuba recently) continue to minister to their flocks, sharing the Good News and providing spiritual sustenance to those who desperately need it. Father Álvarez Devesa and others like him are not just religious leaders but beacons of hope in a landscape overshadowed by fear and repression. They represent the enduring power of faith in the face of oppression and remind us that the human spirit, grounded in belief, can transcend even the harshest circumstances.

For the people of Cuba, the Church offers more than a place of worship; it is a sanctuary from the pervasive control of the state, a glimpse of freedom, however fleeting. As we watch from afar, we must continue to support them in their struggle. Pray for Cuba, its people, and the clergy, representing defiance and hope. They need our prayers, our advocacy, and our unwavering support. In the quiet perseverance of these faithful Catholics, we find a powerful reminder of the importance of religious freedom—a freedom often taken for granted.

Religious freedom is a matter of personal belief or practice, a critical national security issue, and a pillar of American foreign policy. The U.S. has long recognized that nations that respect religious freedom are generally more stable, prosperous, and peaceful. Conversely, regimes that persecute religious minorities often engage in broader human rights abuses, fostering environments that can lead to conflict, extremism, and instability. This understanding underpins the work of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which monitors religious freedom globally and makes policy recommendations to the U.S. government.

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