ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA
For several weeks now the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA has come to be known, a demand which a symbolic number of Cubans — not on behalf of any party or institution, but simply by virtue of citizenship — turned in to the National Assembly of Popular Power. Given such a short period of time, this effort has already achieved a record number of Cuban signatures, both within and outside the island. Internationally recognized figures of unquestionable prestige are starting to take note and see this demand favorably — a snowball that is increasing exponentially in size and is headed straight toward the sore — perhaps as a last valid effort for obtaining the changes, so urgent to Cuba, via totally peaceful and civilized means.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have decided not to remain neutral before the disaster — in every sense — that is today the nation in which I live, in which I am called to minister, and which I love. I believe Dante was correct when he declared: “the most fiery parts of Hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, remain neutral.”
That is why my signature of the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA was already among that first symbolic group of signers who carried out the formal delivery. Also there, were those of my wife as well as other esteemed brethren of faith.
I consider that no one who claims to be a disciple of Christ in Cuba should remain neutral before the debacle that is being reaped as a result of these more than fifty years of disaster; and much less remain in whichever of those organizations which are identified as political or of the masses — merely tentacles of the oppressive government.
My pastoral work is characterized by a lot of patience and tolerance of the many who are in such ambivalent positions, but my personal opinion is that if neutrality is questionable in its extreme, placed on a par with the half-heartedness referred to in the Book of Apocalypse of the Bible, conspiracy with a system that is at present totally unmasked is equivalent to complicity, also equivalents to allowing yourself to be marked by the political beast to whom the Book of Apocalypse makes reference in chapter 13.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is not neutral to the Cuban plight, and much less favors it, I call all of my Cuban brethren of faith within and outside the island, to sign this demand that can in itself constitute an instrument of response to the innumerable prayers and clamor that has been raised to Him during decades of suffering. Those possessing access to internet may do so on the following web page: http://porotracuba.wordpress.com
The CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA merely insists that the pacts signed in the United Nations by Felipe Perez Roque, ex-minister of Foreign Affairs, be ratified. The ratification involves one step beyond a simple signing since it forces the urgent materialization of constitutional changes that will adapt to those pacts.
The Bible states in Galatians 3:15 that A PACT, EVEN IF MADE BY MAN, ONCE RATIFIED, NO ONE CAN INVALIDATE IT NOR ADD TO IT. Although human, these pacts pick up on basic elements so that people be treated with the dignity corresponding them for the simple reason of being born, created in the image and likeness of God.
Let our acts correspond to our prayers.
Let us sign the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA!
Presbyter Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso
Translated by: Maria Montoto
July 5 2012
