The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) sent a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, asking him to eliminate the sanctions against Cuba.
In the letter, the bishops point out the damage that the economic, commercial and financial blockade has caused to the people of the island for decades.
They also refer to how the unjust inclusion of the Caribbean country on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism has influenced the lives of Cubans.
In the letter, published on the organization's website, they describe these harassment policies as immoral and unjustified. At the same time, they emphasize that Cuba supports all international agreements on the fight against terrorism.
Furthermore, in response to Cuba's inclusion on the List of Countries of Special Concern regarding religious freedom, they write: "The only restrictions on our humanitarian and religious work have come from our own government. We have walked the streets of Cuba with the cross of Christ and have freely dialogued with the people on all kinds of issues."
The ELCA maintains historic relations with the Cuban people, particularly with the Lutheran community with whom it maintains frequent contact.