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Pillay underscored the WCC’s ongoing support for Cuban people and churches, and reiterated the WCC’s stance against the commercial and financial blockade against Cuba by the US. The meeting ended with Díaz Canel requesting the general secretary to pray for him and the people of Cuba.
“The WCC 11th Assembly called for the removal of Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism,” said Pillay. “We at the WCC will continue to accompany the churches as prophetic voices of peace, hope, cooperation, and mutual respect.”
Pillay, in his first visit to Cuba as WCC general secretary, also expressed appreciation for religious freedom in Cuba, in particular meeting with foreign affairs minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to talk about the positive relationships between the WCC and religious organizations in Cuba.
“We met with our member church, the Presbyterian Church in Cuba and a large number of other churches that are part of the Cuban Council of Churches,” said Pillay. “I saw a huge statue of the Christ overlooking the city which is most unusual in a place accused of restricting religious freedom. The churches in Cuba confirmed their freedom to worship and exercise their faith and beliefs.”
Earlier in the week, Pillay gave a sermon at the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba, which is the first Protestant church in Havana, and a founding church of the Cuban Council of Churches. He also delivered a lecture at Havana University.
