At the start of the year, some of the CSW team attended the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC.
During the summit, we moderated a panel discussion in which Father Alberto Reyes Pias (a Roman Catholic parish priest in Camagüey, Cuba) spoke about the worsening situation on the island. Father Reyes shared how violations of freedom of religion or belief have become accepted as normal, and called for spiritual solidarity. The prayers below have been adapted from his presentation:
Sunday 5 May
It is not normal to have an Office of Religious Affairs led by the Communist Party, overseeing and attempting to control every single movement of religious groups. Pray for the elimination of this institution, and that it would be replaced with transparent and fair administrative processes.
Monday 6 May
It is not normal for religious leaders to be harassed for defending the innocence of political prisoners and for assisting their families. Praise God for the courage of religious leaders who, despite threats, continue to visit the families of political prisoners and to welcome them into their congregations.
Tuesday 7 May
It is not normal for priests, nuns, and laity who, moved by their faith, speak up for the people who face harassment and defamation. Pray that the Department of State Security will cease its targeting of religious leaders who raise their voices on behalf of justice.
Wednesday 8 May
We will continue to fight, despite the high price, but we need to know that we are not alone, that there are others who will speak up when we are silenced, who will defend the truth. Pray for more people to stand with Cubans who continue in their struggle for freedom.
Thursday 9 May
We need to know that there are others who will not play along with official propaganda, who will denounce anything that binds our spirit and suppresses our actions. Pray for encouragement for all Cubans involved in defending human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. Ask God to reassure them that they are not alone.
Friday 10 May
It is not normal to depend on permits for any public expression of faith. Pray for transformation in Cuba and a new system that will allow individuals and communities to live out their faith freely, both in private and in public.
Saturday 11 May
We need to know that there are others who, day by day, pray for us to the God who unites us, asking for the desired freedom, and forgiveness for those who oppress us… Consider all the prayer points from this week. Pray once again for freedom in Cuba, as well as for the perpetrators of oppression.
Find out more about Cuba at: csw.org.uk/cuba