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Every Cuban should be able to express and share freely and with respect their convictions, even when they disagree with the majority, the Catholic prelates said
By La Croix International staff | Cuba
Catholic bishops in communist-run Cuba are calling on Cubans to actively take part in nation building and work to guarantee the dignity of all citizens despite political tensions and ahead of the planned November 15 protests between pro-government and pro-democracy movements.
Human and civil rights activists had planned the pro-democracy rallies and protests but the government alleges they are working with the United States to destabilize and overthrow the government.
Cuban authorities on October 12 denied opposition activists permission to carry out a large peaceful march on November 15 in Havana and other cities in the country, considering it "illegal."
Cuba has since July been struggling to contain a social crisis triggered by the largest anti-government protests for decades. Cuban forces had beat demonstrators and hundreds were imprisoned.
Faced with such confrontation, the Cuban bishops expressed their concern that "spring from our hearts as Cubans and pastors of the People of God" and pointed out that "violence contradicts the will of God", Fides reported.
"Every person deserves esteem and recognition of their dignity, for their condition as a human being and a child of God, for being a free citizen, subject to rights and duties," they said in a message at the end of the November 8 to 11 plenary assembly of the Cuban Bishops' Conference.
"Every Cuban should be able to express and share freely and with respect, his personal opinions, his thoughts or his convictions, even when he disagrees with the majority," the bishops said.
Hence, "any act of violence, whether physical, verbal or psychological, seriously injures the soul of the Cuban nation and contributes even more to the pain, suffering and sadness of our families", they said.
The bishops said they believe that "there is an increasing urgency for the involvement of Cubans in a national project that involves and motivates everyone; that takes into account the differences, without exclusions or marginalizations".
They consider it necessary "to implement mechanisms where, without fear of intimidation and reprisals, everyone can be heard and dissatisfaction is channeled in the face of the harsh daily realities that overwhelm so many, especially the most impoverished and vulnerable."
The bishops told authorities that "it is essential to implement the necessary changes, so long desired, that favor a dignified and happy life for all children, here, in this land of ours" and called for measures to ease social tension and release political opponents still in prison since July.
They urged everyone not to spare efforts "to pave the way for understanding, reconciliation and to peace" in order to find the best solutions to the problems that concern all in Cuba.
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