From Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW):
Cuba: Government Issues Church Demolitions Orders
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) received reports that Cuban government officials issued
an order to demolish all churches in the Abel Santa Maria neighborhood in the city of Santiago
de Cuba.
According to Rev. Alain Toledano, who leads one of the targeted churches, the authorities have
also instructed the pastors and families who live on the affected church properties be evicted.
The order, issued Nov. 27 by government Planning and Housing Officials, came two weeks after
members of the Emanuel Church, affiliated with the Apostolic Movement and led by Rev.
Toledano, started a “sleep in” in an effort to block government efforts to confiscate the property
and destroy the church. Rev. Toledano told CSW that two churches affiliated with the Baptist
and Assemblies of God denominations in Santiago, as well as two Assemblies of God churches
in the Las Tunas Province, are also under threat of government confiscation and demolition.
“There is a witch hunt against churches in Cuba at this time, mainly against the churches of
apostolic and prophetic ministry. 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. In our case, this would be the second time that the racist communists have attempted to
evict us from our house, throw us out on the street and demolish our temple, only now their
diabolical hatred and fury is directed at other congregations too,” said Rev. Toledano.
Although the Cuban government has refused to register the Apostolic Movement, the Emanuel
Church property is privately owned by Rev. Toledano and his wife, Marilin, and they have
paperwork demonstrating that they had the approval of government officials to carry out all the
construction and renovation work which has taken place. Rev. Toledano told CSW that one of
the Assemblies of God churches under threat in Las Tunas is also facing demolition, despite the
fact that the denomination is legally registered and the government issued permits for
construction.
The threats against the churches appear to be part of a general crackdown and expropriations
of church properties, linked to the implementation of new legislation in January.
Legal Decree 322 gives sweeping powers to the authorities to confiscate property at their
discretion, and CSW received reports from numerous registered and unregistered
denominations that the law has been used to target scores of churches, including historic
properties, across the island. Some religious groups were given the option to remain in the properties as tenants as long as they pay artificially high rent to the government and submit all
their activities in advance to the Communist Party for approval, but most have rejected this.
Cuba: Government Issues Church Demolitions Orders
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) received reports that Cuban government officials issued
an order to demolish all churches in the Abel Santa Maria neighborhood in the city of Santiago
de Cuba.
According to Rev. Alain Toledano, who leads one of the targeted churches, the authorities have
also instructed the pastors and families who live on the affected church properties be evicted.
The order, issued Nov. 27 by government Planning and Housing Officials, came two weeks after
members of the Emanuel Church, affiliated with the Apostolic Movement and led by Rev.
Toledano, started a “sleep in” in an effort to block government efforts to confiscate the property
and destroy the church. Rev. Toledano told CSW that two churches affiliated with the Baptist
and Assemblies of God denominations in Santiago, as well as two Assemblies of God churches
in the Las Tunas Province, are also under threat of government confiscation and demolition.
“There is a witch hunt against churches in Cuba at this time, mainly against the churches of
apostolic and prophetic ministry. 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. In our case, this would be the second time that the racist communists have attempted to
evict us from our house, throw us out on the street and demolish our temple, only now their
diabolical hatred and fury is directed at other congregations too,” said Rev. Toledano.
Although the Cuban government has refused to register the Apostolic Movement, the Emanuel
Church property is privately owned by Rev. Toledano and his wife, Marilin, and they have
paperwork demonstrating that they had the approval of government officials to carry out all the
construction and renovation work which has taken place. Rev. Toledano told CSW that one of
the Assemblies of God churches under threat in Las Tunas is also facing demolition, despite the
fact that the denomination is legally registered and the government issued permits for
construction.
The threats against the churches appear to be part of a general crackdown and expropriations
of church properties, linked to the implementation of new legislation in January.
Legal Decree 322 gives sweeping powers to the authorities to confiscate property at their
discretion, and CSW received reports from numerous registered and unregistered
denominations that the law has been used to target scores of churches, including historic
properties, across the island. Some religious groups were given the option to remain in the properties as tenants as long as they pay artificially high rent to the government and submit all
their activities in advance to the Communist Party for approval, but most have rejected this.
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