Priest Alberto Reyes Rings the Bells of His Cuban Parish in Protest Against the Blackouts

The ringing broke out in the darkness of the small town of Esmeralda, with less than 30,000 inhabitants, in Camagüey 14ymedio, Havana, 18 May 2024 — The bells of the Esmeralda parish, in Camagüey, tolled this Friday during the blackout. The warning of the Catholic priest Alberto Reyes was fulfilled, who promised to protest with … Continue reading “Priest Alberto Reyes Rings the Bells of His Cuban Parish in Protest Against the Blackouts”

Cuban Priest Alberto Reyes Will be in the Civic March Despite the Ban

14ymedio, Havana, 15 November 2021 — Camagüey priest Alberto Reyes, who has demonstrated on many occasions against the Cuban Government, has released a video in which he claims to have been warned that priests like him who participate in the Civic March for Change called by the Archipelago opposition collective will be arrested. “They have called … Continue reading “Cuban Priest Alberto Reyes Will be in the Civic March Despite the Ban”

The Cuban Regime Releases One of the Four Ladies in White Arrested for the ’11J’ Protests

Political prisoner Ángel Mesa Rodríguez was also released on Monday EFE/14ymedi0, Havana, 20 January 2025 — The Cuban government released political prisoner Ángel Mesa Rodríguez on Monday and the Lady in White, Tania Echevarría Menéndez, a day earlier, as part of the regime’s deal with the Vatican to release 553 prisoners. Mesa was serving a … Continue reading “The Cuban Regime Releases One of the Four Ladies in White Arrested for the ’11J’ Protests”

Cuban Faces 2024: Priest Leandro Naun, Chef and ‘War Correspondent’ in Santiago de Cuba

Naun’s style is not that of other priests like Alberto Reyes or Lester Zayas, who are much more direct when it comes to criticizing the regime. 14ymedio, Havana, 27 December 2024 — The Catholic priest Leandro Naun made headlines in the independent press abruptly. Three masked men had entered his parents’ house in Santiago de … Continue reading “Cuban Faces 2024: Priest Leandro Naun, Chef and ‘War Correspondent’ in Santiago de Cuba”

‘Get Out, Before the People Rise Up With Uncontrollable Fury,’ Warns a Cuban Priest

Priest Alberto Reyes accuses the regime of committing “a silent genocide” 14ymedio, Havana, 6 October 2024 — The columns published by the Camagüey priest Alberto Reyes every Sunday have made him the spokesperson for Cubans who do not dare to speak publicly. “My words are not a cry of violence; they are not an aggressive … Continue reading “‘Get Out, Before the People Rise Up With Uncontrollable Fury,’ Warns a Cuban Priest”

The Cuban Church Asks Spanish Catholics for Help in the Face of Difficulties on the Island

A campaign is launched to collect donations to “support priests and the religious” EFE/14ymedio, Madrid, 5 September 2024 — The power cuts and the shortage of fuel, medicines and other basic goods hinder the work of the Catholic Church in Cuba, according to the bishop of Holguín, Emilio Aranguren, who this Thursday asked for help … Continue reading “The Cuban Church Asks Spanish Catholics for Help in the Face of Difficulties on the Island”

‘Calling People to Pray in Parks is a Pre-Criminal Activity,’ According to the Cuban Authorities

 State Security summoned priest Kenny Fernández for his call for peace in Venezuela 14ymedio, Havana, 12 August 2024 — The call to pray for peace in Venezuela made by Cuban priest Kenny Fernández Delgado on August 2nd set State Security in motion within a few hours. This weekend, seven days after an official summoned him … Continue reading “‘Calling People to Pray in Parks is a Pre-Criminal Activity,’ According to the Cuban Authorities”

The Cuban Church Denounces at Least 50 Robberies in Catholic Temples Since March

Some 34 parishes and religious houses in the country have been affected by theft and vandalism 14ymedio, Havana, July 5, 2024 — In Cuba, at least 50 robberies have been recorded in 34 Catholic parishes and religious houses since March of last year, according to the Catholic news channel EWTN. The thieves, who often vandalize … Continue reading “The Cuban Church Denounces at Least 50 Robberies in Catholic Temples Since March”

Leandro Naun, a Priest in the Mountains of Santiago de Cuba

To many mothers “God seems deaf” because they don’t see a way out and they become desperate 14ymedio, Havana, 16 June 2024 — Leandro Naun, a Catholic priest, ministers to a handful of rural communities in Santiago de Cuba. With the end of the month fast approaching, word is spreading that delivery of the basic … Continue reading “Leandro Naun, a Priest in the Mountains of Santiago de Cuba”

Cuban Pentecostals Denounce Police Harassment Against Two Pastors From Camagüey

“Their movement is restricted and they must be available and locatable,” says the leader of the Assemblies of God in Cuba 14ymedio, Havana, 4 June 2024 — Pentecostal pastor Dizzis Ramos, leader of the Assemblies of God in Camagüey, has been waiting several days for a summons from the Police and a possible formal accusation … Continue reading “Cuban Pentecostals Denounce Police Harassment Against Two Pastors From Camagüey”

The Pope Appoints Monsignor Antoine Camilleri As New Nuncio to Cuba

He replaces the archbishop of Telde, Giampiero Gloder, who became nuncio in Romania and Moldova. 14ymedio, Havana, 20 May 2024 — Bishop Antoine Camilleri, former undersecretary of the Vatican Section for Relations with States, has been appointed by Pope Francis as the new apostolic nuncio in Cuba. He replaces the archbishop of Telde, Giampiero Gloder, … Continue reading “The Pope Appoints Monsignor Antoine Camilleri As New Nuncio to Cuba”

The Bishop of Camagüey in Cuba Prohibits Ringing the Bells During Blackouts

This decision is attributed to the pressure on the Church from the Communist Party of Cuba to undermine the initiative of the priest of Esmeralda, Alberto Reyes. 14ymedio, Havana, 19 May 2024 — The bishop of Camagüey Wilfredo Willy Pino Estévez prohibited Father Alberto Reyes from continuing to ring the bells of the Esmeralda parish … Continue reading “The Bishop of Camagüey in Cuba Prohibits Ringing the Bells During Blackouts”

A Way of the Cross Marked by Emigration and Tensions with the Communist Party of Cuba

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez / Juan Izquierdo, Havana, 30 March 2024 — The most significant station of the Way of the Cross held in Old Havana this Friday, when dozens of Catholics took to the streets under the tense gaze of the Police, occurred on the block of the municipal committee of the Communist Party. … Continue reading “A Way of the Cross Marked by Emigration and Tensions with the Communist Party of Cuba”

‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police

14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana | 8 September 2023 — With more needs but equal enthusiasm, Havana residents gathered this Friday at the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Church on the corner of Manrique and Salud, in Centro Habana. Inflation and mass exodus have marked the day dedicated to Cachita*, the Patroness Saint of … Continue reading “‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police”

Cuban Communist Party Blocks Religious Procession Honoring Cuba’s Patron Saint

14ymedio, Havana, 1 September 2023 — On Thursday, Catholic priest Alberto Reyes accused the Communist Party of Esmeralda, a town in Camaguey province, of preventing a procession honoring the Virgin of Charity from taking place on the night of September 8. Without explanation, officials said the event must instead take place at 6:00 PM. “Under … Continue reading “Cuban Communist Party Blocks Religious Procession Honoring Cuba’s Patron Saint”