wfn.org | WCC UPDATE - Kobia in Cuba: religious equality, blockade

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 04/08/2005

KOBIA IN CUBA: FOR RELIGIOUS EQUALITY AND AGAINST THE BLOCKADE

All Cuban churches should receive equal treatment on the part of the state
in order to meet the challenges raised by their pastoral ministry.

This concern was voiced by the general secretary of the World Council of
Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, during a meeting with Cuban
President Fidel Castro on 3 August at the end of an ecumenical delegation's four-day visit to the Cuban island.

The delegation also included WCC president from North America, Dr Bernice
Powell-Jackson of the United Church of Christ (USA), and WCC central
committee member Bishop Rolf Koppe of the Evangelical Church in Germany
(EKD).

"Churches, in particular Protestant churches, are growing and because of
this growth, they need to build new churches and seminaries and have
access to the media in order to tackle the pastoral challenges that arise
in their service to the Cuban people," said Kobia.

The WCC has two member churches in Cuba: the Methodist Church and the
First Presbyterian Reformed Church. Kobia, who preached in both churches
in Havana, was able to confirm and emphasize the important contribution
that churches make to Cuban society.

Another concern raised by the Cuban churches and reiterated by Kobia was
the negative consequences of the economic embargo imposed on the island by
the USA.

"The Cuban blockade is part of a unilateral international policy on the
part of the United States that goes far beyond being an economic or
political measure," said Kobia. "From a humanitarian and ethical perspective, we demand that the blockade be immediately lifted," he said.

The ecumenical delegation visited a hospital for children with heart
problems, a rehabilitation centre for children and young people with
mental disabilities, and a university specializing in computer sciences.
Kobia underlined the "great vision" reflected in these initiatives as well
as the "will to recognize and restore people's dignity."

The delegation met with Rev. Rhode Gonzalez, president of the Cuban
Council of Churches, with the Catholic archbishop of Havana, Cardinal
Jaime Ortega, as well as with other leaders from Cuban churches. They also
visited the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Matanzas.

The WCC general secretary's visit to Caribbean Churches will continue in
Haiti from 5-7 August.

Free photos are available at:
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/photo-galleries/travel/caribbean/cubavisit2005.html

Additional information about the visit to the Caribbean is available in
our July 28 press release:
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-42.html

This material may be reprinted freely.

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.