Church Conference Condemns US Blockade of Cuba

The Conference ceremony was attended by Cuban First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the Head of the Communist Party’s Office for Religious Affairs, Caridad Diego.In response to an invitation from the Cuban churches and people, and as a gesture of unity and solidarity, amidst the unjust measures imposed by Washington, the 6th Assembly of the Latin American Council of Churches opened in Havana on Wednesday.

The Conference opening ceremony, which took place at Lazaro Peña Theater, was attended by Cuban First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the Head of the Communist Party’s Office for Religious Affairs, Caridad Diego.

Latin American Council of Churches president, Bishop Julio Murray Thompson announced the presence of leaders from protestant Christian churches and ecumenical organizations, associated and fraternal members, as well as special guests and representatives of international cooperation agencies.

Bishop Murray Thompson said that the conference is an opportunity for celebration and to bring an offer of friendship and support to the sisters and brothers of the Caribbean nation.

Pastor Joel Ortega, president of the Cuban Council of Churches, gave the welcoming remarks by recalling words of Jose Marti about his duty to the Latin American continent and he noted that the sons of this new Americas have gathered in Havana to take part at the celebrations of the Latin American Council of Churches, which he described as the church of the poor, of the humble and for the humble.

Emeritus Bishop of Argentina’s Methodist Church Federico Pagura was decorated with the Solidarity Order, granted by agreement of the Cuban Council of State. The distinction was handed over to the Bishop by First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Bishop Pagura thanked the homage and he took the opportunity to again condemn the unfair and immoral US blockade of Cuba and the shameful decision by Washington of trying to thwart the celebration of the assembly.  He said the celebration of the conference is an acknowledgement well deserved by the Cuban government and people.

The Latin American Council of Churches and its Cuban counterpart gave Cuban Vice-President Diaz-Canel a bible as a symbol reaffirming the unity with the people and the hope for an even better Cuba and Latin America.