By Demetrio Villaurrutia
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, held a meeting with leaders of international ecumenical organizations who are on a pastoral visit to Cuba as a show of solidarity and support for the work of the churches and our people.
The pastoral visit is taking place within the context of the Holy Week celebrations and has been facilitated by the Cuban Council of Churches and the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
“It is a pleasure to receive leaders of the global ecumenical movement at a time like this.” “We greatly appreciate your presence here, which reaffirms that Cuba is not alone,” the Cuban Head of State told them during the meeting, which lasted just over an hour and was held at the Convention Palace. This meeting was part of a busy agenda during this pastoral visit, considered historic.
This visit also reaffirms the historic relationship they have had with the churches and the Cuban people, the President noted, adding that in this context, they are also celebrating the 85th anniversary of the World Council of Churches.
In their remarks, the representatives of international ecumenical organizations conveyed messages of peace, solidarity, and love, pledging to continue cooperating with Cuban churches, as they had expressed during their exchanges in various Christian communities. There, they learned about the realities of these communities, including the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the Cuban people in general.
At the start of the proceedings, Reverend Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, commented on the broad composition of the high-level international ecumenical delegation, which includes representatives from organizations in more than 120 countries. “Our presence here is to offer our support, to tell the people of Cuba that you are not alone,” he noted.
Also attending the meeting with international and national ecumenical leaders were members of the Political Bureau, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, as well as Yunieski Crespo Baquero, Head of the Ideological Department, and Caridad Diego Bello, Head of the Office of Religious Affairs of the Central Committee, along with other guests.
On behalf of the ecumenical leaders of Cuba, Joel Ortega Dopico, President of the Cuban Council of Churches, considered the moment historic, as it brought together important international ecumenical leaders. He added that “this visit is the beginning of working together.”
“It is a historic moment to be here, because I also think that many Cuban pastors have served for many years. In difficult times, our church has always stood together in brotherhood and collaboration.”
During his address, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez spoke about the long history of resistance and resilience of the Cuban people, and how the country is facing the current situation.
He assured the ecumenical leaders present that Cuba will not surrender. “That is why we ask you to share this reality,” he told them, and in turn asked the leaders of the national ecumenical churches to become involved in all community work initiatives.
“Thank you very much for being here for us and accompanying us, for the message of peace and profound faith with which you accompany us. And please continue to pray for us,” the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party concluded.
A heartfelt prayer for peace and the resilience of the Cuban people concluded the meeting with international ecumenical leaders, a reaffirmation that love and solidarity must always prevail.
The visit of the international ecumenical delegation was organized by the General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, who successfully brought together the General Secretaries of the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Communion, the World Methodist Council, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Canada.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA and NEWS AGENCIES ]
