- Title: Religious organisations voice support to Cubans uprising
- Date: 20th July 2021
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JULY 19, 2021) (REUTERS) MASONIC SYMBOL ON TOP OF THE GRAND LODGE OF CUBA GENERAL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF CUBA SIGN READING (Spanish): "GRAND LODGE OF CUBA" COAT OF ARMS OF THE LODGE GENERAL OF NATIONAL CAPITOL BUILDING BAY OF HAVANA AND BUILDINGS SPEEDBOAT PASSING IN FRONT OF THE MORRO CASTLE
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2021 12:05
- Keywords: Catholic Havana Santiago de Cuba Yoruba masonry methodist church protests religion
- Location: SANTIAGO DE CUBA, HAVANA, CUBA; INTERNET
- City: SANTIAGO DE CUBA, HAVANA, CUBA; INTERNET
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA008EMN9C1Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Cuban churches and freemasons have backed those who participated in unprecedented protests in the Communist-run country last week, including the creation of a helpline to provide legal and spiritual counsel to the relatives of those detained.
Protests erupted nationwide on July 11 amid frustrations with the worst economic crisis in decades and curbs on civil liberties. The government blamed counterrevolutionaries it said were exploiting hardships caused by decades-old U.S. sanctions.
Authorities have detained hundreds of protesters, activists and journalists, according to human rights groups.
"The church wants to ask for all Cubans, for all Cuba," Dionisio GarcÃa, Archbishop of the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba said during mass on Sunday.
The Catholic Church is the only major institution in Cuba that is not controlled by the state and has expanded its role and influence in recent years after suffering repression for decades following Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.
Speaking at the Church of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba's patron saint, Garcia recalled Cuban bishops' previous statement arguing the need for changes.
The Cuban Catholic Church received backing from Pope Francis when he also addressed the protests in his weekly address to the faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday.
Religious institutions have gained greater influence in recent years as many Cubans have turned to them for solace and support amid widespread shortages of food and medicine.
The Cuban Conference of Catholic Religious said it would offer a helpline for those detained and their families.
The Cuban Methodist Church denounced violence on behalf both of those protesting and authorities while supporting citizens' right to dissent.
Cuba's Grand Lodge of Freemasons said it was "concerned by the excessive use of force" by authorities that would only further "exacerbate passions and in the long run, damage the peace of the nation".
(Production: Nelson Gonzalez, Anett Rios, Nina Lopez, Liamar Ramos) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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