Christmas in Cuba: Priests call for hope in the midst of crisis

In a context of socioeconomic crisis, Cuban priests José Conrado and Jesús Fernando Marcoleta have shared, from different parts of the island, homilies full of hope for a better future, but also of denunciation of the abuses of the regime.

Both homilies, delivered during Christmas, echo the need for unity, reconciliation and a return to fundamental values ​​to overcome adversity.

Father José Conrado, priest of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba, with a career of more than 40 years accompanying communities on the island and in exile, he reflected about the suffering of his compatriots: “I cry for Cuba because Cuba hurts me. “The pain of my brothers hurts me.”

In his message, he highlighted that the greatest evil on the island is not material deprivation, but the loss of truth and social fracture caused by repression and fear: “We have lived in lies and now we do not know how to find the way to the truth”.

For his part, Father Jesús Fernando Marcoleta, parish priest in Varadero, emphasized the transformative nature of Christmas as a beacon of light in the midst of darkness: “Now that living without light suffocates us, Jesus’ Christmas becomes more propitious as it is more night in each of us and more night in the nation.”

He also recalled that, although the Cuban people live moments of hopelessness, it is at Christmas where a new future can be reborn: “Every human being has the right to hope, to good hope.”

The crisis in figures

The reality described by both priests is reflected in recently published figures by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH). In November, the OCDH recorded at least 253 repressive actions in Cuba, of which 89 were arbitrary detentions and 164 other abuses, including harassment of political prisoners and their families, police summonses, fines, and the siege of activists’ homes.

“The Cuban regime is preparing for the next challenges in international politics with greater repression and internal impoverishment. The absence of changes in favor of citizens persists and repression is the only instrument of the regime in its attempt to contain citizen fatigue,” stated the OCDH. The most affected provinces, according to the organization, were Havana, Matanzas and Villa Clara.

A call for reconciliation

Both priests, from their perspectives, agree that the path to the reconstruction of Cuba passes through reconciliation and a return to the values ​​of the Gospel.

Father Conrado recalled the words of José Martí, poet and politician considered the “apostle of Cuban Independence”: “We must discard the barbaric gospel of hate to be able to speak the sweet talk of love.”

Likewise, Father Marcoleta stressed that Christmas is a time to reflect and renew the commitment to building a society based on love and justice: “The day Jesus was born, man was called like never before to fulfill here on earth. his dignity as a human person, being free, respecting the rights of others and putting fraternal love into practice.”

Despite the panorama, both messages seek to convey hope. Father Marcoleta encouraged Cubans not to give up: “Guide, Lord, our steps to the light of your grace. You who always exceed our expectations and are stronger than our fears, allow us to believe in your Word.”

Father Conrado, for his part, called on everyone to pray not only for Cuba, but also for other peoples in critical situations such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti: “Let us sing the song of joy, the joyful song of those who hope for a new day”.

In a nation where, as the OCDH pointed out, “repression is the regime’s only instrument to contain citizen fatigue,” both priests affirmed that it is time to look at the manger, which symbolizes the birth of a new opportunity for Cubans.