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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.”
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
William DeArteaga
Have not kept up on this, but would like information.
Terry Wiles
Certainly they share the same bed.
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
Vlad Stepanov
And the Orthodox church doesn’t mind at all…
Jon Ray
as well as the Catholic as it seems John Ruffle
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.
Michael Marquez
I’m part of the AOG. No AOG churches in Cuba have been taken.
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
Jon Ray
https://www.facebook.com/AGWorldMissions/posts/10154452073849464
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
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.
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
Terry Wiles
People who know only second hand information on the AOG and the NAR should not post their gossip.