1,400 churches demolished as Cuba intensifies anti-Christian crackdown

Chiqui Guyjoco Friday, August 26, 2016

People walk near the Church of Our Virgin of Charity in Havana March 14, 2012. | Reuters/Desmond Boylan

The Communist regime of Cuba intensified its anti-Christian crackdown by taking on more than a thousand churches among more than a thousand documented violations on religious freedom.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) released its latest report on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) on Aug. 16 where they revealed 1,606 violations from the first half of 2016. These cases include harassment, arbitrary arrests, forced seizure of personal properties and confiscation of 1,400 Assemblies of God (AOG) churches. The government plans to demolish at least 100 of the AOG churches.

"There is a witch hunt against churches in Cuba at this time, mainly against the churches of apostolic and prophetic ministry," Rev. Alain Toledano, pastor of the persecuted Emanuel Church, told CSW in December last year.

The government's Planning and Housing Officials ruled Nov. 27 the eviction of the pastors and their families and the demolition of the five churches in Abel Santa Maria neighbourhood in the southern city of Santiago de Cuba.

"The communists have intensified in their hatred and persecution of the church following the Pope's visit to Cuba and the re-establishment of relations with the United States. I request constant intercession on behalf of the churches in Cuba," said Rev. Toledano.

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas spoke out against the spike of religious violations but also said he's "humbled and inspired by the courage and perseverance" of the persecuted religious communities. He urged the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United States to take a stand with the Cuban people for their rights, particularly on religious freedom.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported last year that the regime continued to enforce restrictive laws and harassment.

"The government principally targets for arrest or harassment religious communities and leaders deemed too independent from government control or those who support democracy and human rights efforts," said the report.