Cuba seizes 1,400 Assemblies of God churches

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| PentecostalTheology.com

               

By Antony Bushfield
A Cuban government crackdown on Assemblies of God churches has seen at least 1,400 buildings seized.

Many have already been demolished, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The charity says the churches had been earmarked for seizure in 2015 and so far many have been confiscated and destroyed. Pastors have been detained, harassed and their possessions have been seized. One hundred other churches face demolition in the coming weeks, CSW says, in what it describes as a major crackdown on religion.

The Assemblies of God churches are accused by the Cuban government of being illegal because they are not registered.

CSW has reported nine cases of harassment against church leaders in 2016, including those detained whilst their churches were being demolished. In one case Rev Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso was arrested hours before President Barack Obama arrived in Cuba on an official visit. CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: “CSW is alarmed by the escalation of violations throughout Cuba, but humbled and inspired by the courage and perseverance of the many religious communities who continue to peacefully resist government pressure. “We remain disappointed by the broken promises for reform on the part of the Cuban government and urge it to change course.

“We call on the international community and in particular the United Kingdom, European Union and the United States government to stand in solidarity with Cuban citizens by pressing the Cuban government to halt these repressive actions.”

14 Comments

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Jon Ray

    So Cuba, Castro, socialist export of liberation theology in the 60s and its revitalization today via dominion theology by charismatic NAR – what is the real connection here? Terry Wiles Henry Volk William DeArteaga

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Jon Ray

    Will it possible some AoG people in our group to confirm the information and give some details from denominational memos ? Terry There were some church tensions in Cuba last November but this current measure comes right after the Russian law Vlad Stepanov recently announced

    • Reply August 20, 2016

      Vlad Stepanov

      And the Orthodox church doesn’t mind at all…

    • Reply August 20, 2016

      Jon Ray

      as well as the Catholic as it seems John Ruffle

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    John Lathrop

    This paragraph that follows comes from the Assemblies of God Missions page on Facebook: CUBA AG CHURCHES NOT CONFISCATED — An inaccurate online news report has raised concerns with the claim that Assemblies of God churches in Cuba are being confiscated. AG leaders in Cuba confirm that AG churches are NOT being confiscated, and local churches continue to advance in effective ministry serving the needy and sharing the love and message of Christ.

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Michael Marquez

    I’m part of the AOG. No AOG churches in Cuba have been taken.

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Jon Ray

    very #STRANGE CSW is legit right? >> The first half of 2016 has seen church demolitions in Cuba gather pace as the government crackdown on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) on the island continues. The authorities have also begun to confiscate 1,400 Assemblies of God (AOG) churches that were earmarked for seizure in 2015.
    Despite these challenges, CSW has received a growing number of accounts of religious groups standing up to government pressure. Church leaders have continued to worship on the sites of their demolished churches and Ladies in White have persisted in their efforts to attend Mass on Sunday mornings, despite government repression and violence.

    CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW is alarmed by the escalation of FoRB violations throughout Cuba, but humbled and inspired by the courage and perseverance of the many religious communities who continue to peacefully resist government pressure. We remain disappointed by the broken promises for reform on the part of the Cuban government and urge it to change course. We call on the international community and in particular the United Kingdom, European Union and the United States government to stand in solidarity with Cuban citizens by pressing the Cuban government to halt these repressive actions and ensuring that human rights, and in particular FoRB, remains a core component of any upcoming dialogues with the Cuban government.” http://www.csw.org.uk/2016/08/16/news/3227/article.htm

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Jon Ray

  • Reply August 20, 2016

    Jon Ray

    Assemblies of God World Missions has been in direct contact with leadership of the Cuba Assemblies of God. Cuba’s church leaders confirm that no AG churches have been confiscated and a very positive relationship continues between Cuban AG churches and their communities. http://penews.org/news/inaccurate-report-on-cuba-ag-raises-false-alarm

  • Reply June 15, 2017

    Brian Roden

    Everyone be sure to read the notice from AGWM at the top of the web site article. The Antony Bushfield report was erroneous.

  • Reply June 15, 2017

    Varnel Watson

    The reason posted: An inaccurate online news report has raised concerns with the claim that Assemblies of God churches in Cuba are being confiscated… Was the report connected with the increasing influence of New Apostolic Reformation theology among our Assemblies of God churches in South America and resp. Cuba? Terry Wiles

    • Reply June 15, 2017

      Terry Wiles

      People who know only second hand information on the AOG and the NAR should not post their gossip.

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