Havana, Cuba - Washington, USA
March 26, 2020
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:2
We are only a few days away from the celebration of Holy Week 2020, the most important celebration of Christianity, and the world is going through a humanitarian crisis of incalculable scope that affects all aspects of life on the planet.
The Cuban Council of Churches and the United States Council of Churches have worked together in unity for many years for the right to life, health and well-being of all the inhabitants of this world. It is the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that unites us and asks us to lift up our prayers to our God for the countries and families suffering today from the COVID-19 pandemic. This suffering is exacerbated and extreme because of the inequalities and injustices, the huge gaps between rich and poor, the differences between regions of the world, the lack of inclusion, gender injustice, migration issues and climate justice.
- We request the Government of the United States to immediately lift the economic, financial and commercial blockade that has been imposed on Cuba and other nations for more than 60 years.
- We ask that all manipulation and use of political and economic interests be stopped in view of the current global humanitarian crisis, which has been exacerbated and made visible by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We ask the international ecumenical movement, all churches and religions in the United States and the world, governments, the United Nations and all people of good will to join in the effort for a global petition for the immediate lifting of the blockade and for the cessation of all sanctions on any country or region; especially now that these genocidal policies are slowing down and limiting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We welcome and congratulate the WCC "Pastoral Letter" of March 18, the "Joint Statement" of ACT Alliance and Religions for Peace of March 26 and especially the "Call" made by CWS on March 24 regarding the lifting of the blockade and sanctions. As well as other initiatives and efforts that are shaping a global campaign for collaboration, unity and peace in the search for appropriate solutions and responses to the COVID 19 pandemic and global crisis.
We are grateful to the thousands of Cuban doctors, nurses and health professionals who are saving lives around the world. It is therefore imperative that the blockade and the coercive sanctions be lifted to continue to more effectively save lives during the pandemic.
We know the goodwill between Cubans and Americans can help the entire world at this time. We pray that our prayers will be heard.
Jim Winkler,
General Secretary and President
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
Rev. Antonio Santana Hernández
President
Cuban Council of Churches
Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico
Executive Secretary
Cuban Council of Churches
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
Moderator of the Governing Board
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
The Cuban Council of Churches, with 50 members among churches and faith-based organizations, has been serving the people of Cuba since 1941 under the motto "United and United to Serve".
Address: Calle 14 #304 entre 3ª y 5ª. Miramar. Playa. Havana. CP. 11300
Phones: (53) 7-2042878, (53) 7-2037791, (53) 72029336
Email: presidente@cic.co.cu, iglesias@cic.co.cu, comunicaciones@cic.co.cu
Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in public life since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common commitment to God's love and promise of unity.
NCC News contact: Steven D. Martin: 202.412.4323 or steven.martin@nationalcouncilofchurches.us
Source Cubadebate