Anglican Communion News Service

Episcopalians were part of a thirty-member delegation of the National Council of Churches of Christ (USA) invited to Cuba, 22-28 January 2004. The Rt Revd C Christopher Epting, the Presiding Bishop's Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, and the Revd Susanne Watson Epting, executive director of the North American Association for the Diaconate, represented the Episcopal Church in a consultation with Cuban churches on shared concerns and in celebration of the consecration of the new Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas in Havana.

The first two days were filled with events welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians. These included a strong address by Bartholomew - sometimes called "The Green Patriarch" - on the environment. This event was attended by President Fidel Castro as well as hundreds of students, scientists, religious, and secular leaders.

A cultural evening featuring Greek and Cuban music was followed by a festive banquet held in the Plaza of St Francis of Assisi, which, in turn, prepared the way for a Sunday morning Greek Orthodox Matins, the consecration of St Nicholas' Cathedral, and a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy. At the consecration luncheon at Plaza Vieja, Bishop Epting was able to bring greetings and present a small gift to the patriarch on behalf of Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. Castro was present for the consecration of St Nicholas' Cathedral and presented the key to the property personally to Patriarch Bartholomew.

Struggle and resurrection

On 26 January, the delegation attended the Synod of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba, learning about its rich history, struggles during the early days of the Cuban Revolution, and its resurrection in recent years as tensions between church and state have eased somewhat. This pattern is the story of the Episcopal Church as well, according to Bishop Miguel Tamayo of Uruguay, who is also serving as interim Bishop of Cuba. In practical terms, the church in Cuba today suffers more from the economic hardships imposed on the country by the US embargo than from any pressure from the Castro government, Bishop Tamayo said.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral hosted the next two days' consultation of the Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean, and National (USA) councils of churches. Also participating in the event were representatives of the World Council of Churches, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Dean Juan Ramon, his wife Nirva (who is Canon Pastor of the Cathedral), and several other Episcopalians joined the Eptings as Anglican participants in this consultation which focused on shared pastoral concerns of the churches in the context of current US-Latin American relations.

The Cubans expressed deep concern about the lack of visitation and adequate pastoral care for five young men (called "the Cuban Five") arrested in Miami by the FBI and now serving long sentences in US prisons for seeking to infiltrate Cuban exile groups in Miami. Largely unknown by US citizens, these men are seen as national heroes by Cubans and celebrated on billboards across Havana. The NCCC delegation listened carefully to these concerns and shared a similar US perspective that the severity of sentences imposed by Cuban courts on 75 dissidents in the spring of 2003 was excessive as well.

Fears of 'regime change'

"The most surprising and sobering thing I heard, " said Bishop Epting, "was the fear expressed by so many in Cuba that the United States may soon stage an Iraq-style, pre-emptive invasion of Cuba as a next step on the war on terror, or indeed to force 'regime change'. This is widespread among our sister and brother Christians and those outside the church and I believe it is a serious and disturbing consequence of current US foreign policy."

Perhaps the most recurrent theme was a plea for solidarity between Christians in the Americas to work for an end to the economic embargo on Cuba. ("Blockade" is the term used in Cuba, since "embargo" usually involves one country's action against another.) The United States' actions against other countries which trade with Cuba isolates the island still further and lends some credence to the word "blockade," according to Bishop Epting.

Deacon Epting observed that "while the presentation and experiences of Cuban history, culture, economics and religion were invaluable, the most searing images were those that had to do with a penetrating vision of churches together, engaged in diakonia as devotedly as worship, and with prophetic witness."

"I was most deeply touched by the comments of a Cuban pastor who made it clear that, 'while we appreciate your willingness to be in solidarity with us, I speak respectfully from my heart that perhaps it is we who should be in solidarity with you,'" she said. "'For if you live in a democracy and have the power to influence policy, then you hold the future of the world in your hands.'"

Article from: ENS .The Revd Jan Nunley is deputy director of Episcopal News Service