Religious freedom at stake if humanitarian aid to Cuba is restricted

Juana Hernandez Fuentes and her child find shelter from Hurricane Dennis in August 2005 with the assistance of the Cuban Council of Churches. Photo: Don Tatlock, CWS/ACT International

July 24, 2006

Church World Service voiced deep displeasure at President Bush's July approval of a report that could restrict the agency’s humanitarian efforts in Cuba.

The administration’s policy also flies in the face of religious freedom, said Church World Service executive Rev. John L. McCullough.

“We don't intend to let this rest at this point unless we have no recourse,” McCullough added.

The report, by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, calls for cessation of licensing for humanitarian agencies to dispense aid to Cuba through organizations the U.S. considers linked to the Cuban government.

The Commission is co-chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Cuban-American Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

The report specifically names the Cuban Council of Churches. The Council was established by the traditional Protestant churches of Cuba as their national council and is regarded as such by churches and ecumenical councils throughout the world.

Church World Service considers the Cuban Council of Churches an ecumenical partner and has channeled millions of dollars in aid through the council since before the Castro regime.

“Virtually every other country—including the two nearest neighbors of the U.S. and NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico—maintain normal relations with Cuba and do not place impediments in the way of church relationships,” McCullough said. “Only the U.S. pursues this misguided policy. Insofar as claims of ‘U.S. leadership’ go, one cannot claim to lead where others will not follow.”

Read more on the Cuba report and proposed aid restrictions

Sign a petition to oppose curtailment of humanitarian aid to Cuba