| The Reverend Dora Arce, moderator
of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, alludes to this concern
when she is asked, “What can we do for you?”
“First of all, pray for us,” she responded.
“Secondly, talk with your Senators and Representatives
about the U.S. government’s policy towards Cuba.”
“Third, share with others how we are living out our faith
in Cuba. We know we have problems—in the church and in the
society. We are working on them in our way. It is not comfortable
for us when outsiders come here with their solutions to our problems.
We feel diminished. Please respect us and our ability to work
on our challenges here.”
Dr. Reinerio Arce, president of the Cuban Council of Churches
answered the “What can we do for you?” question in
this way:
“Please work to continue the exchange visits of church
people. Christians have been important ambassadors for our two
countries all these years. Now it is very difficult for Cubans
to receive a visa to travel to the United States, but our role
as ambassadors in each others’ countries is more important
than ever.
“Pray for peace. We are living in dangerous times. Military
aggression against Cuba would cause great suffering.”
“She hit me first!”
As a mother of two children, I know that the endless litany of
which child did which grievous thing “first” does
not bring resolution to the conflict. While U.S.–Cuba relations
are far from child’s play, the rhetoric often sounds similar.
It is sometimes referred to as “tit-for-tat diplomacy.”
As U.S. Christians, as beloved and loving partners of Cuban Presbyterians,
we are called to a deeper level of conversation and caring. As
U.S. citizens, we are called to hold our own government accountable
for its policies and actions.
Fortunately, we are helped by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s
history of speaking out thoughtfully and clearly about U.S.–Cuba
relations. Presbyterian General Assemblies passed Cuba-related
resolutions in 1969, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993,
1997, 2000, and 2003.
While these resolutions address concerns about human rights and
freedoms in Cuba, they focus primarily on the impact of our own
government’s policies on the Cuban people. The 2003 resolution
addresses one of the ways that the U.S. embargo has directly affected
Cuban Presbyterians:
“One tragic feature of the embargo has been the blocking
of pension payments to retired Cuban pastors and teachers who
were members of U.S. Protestant denominations before those churches
became autonomous bodies in the 1960s. Repeated efforts by the
boards and councils of the Presbyterian church have not gained
the authority to honor those contractual obligations to our pensioners
in full, though partial payments have been approved.”
The U.S. House and Senate Cuba Work Groups continue to seek legislative
action to chip away at various aspects of the U.S. embargo on
Cuba, including restrictions on travel, humanitarian aid, business
transactions, and remittances.
The 2003 General Assembly calls on PC(USA) members and governing
bodies to “encourage their representatives in the House
of Representatives and the Senate, as they consider measures related
to remittances, to include authority for churches in the United
States to meet in full their contractual obligations to their
Cuban pensioners.”
Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership
Advocacy may not be the first response when we are asked about
our mission projects. However, advocating for a change in U.S.
policy towards Cuba has become a priority for large numbers of
PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries that have mission partnerships
with Cuban Presbyterian congregations and presbyteries. Why?
- Because it is upsetting to visit an elderly woman who lives
in poverty because her pension payments are blocked by the U.S.
embargo.
- Because it is frustrating to encounter roadblocks to exchange
visits and financial contributions due to U.S. restrictions
on travel and remittances.
- Because it is angering to see suffering that could be significantly
reduced if U.S. restrictions on sending medicines to Cuba were
to be lifted.
- Most importantly, because they love and respect their Cuban
partners and want the best for them.
Moderator Dora Arce’s request that we speak to our representatives
and senators about U.S. policy towards Cuba is not new. For more
than 40 years, Cuban Presbyterians have been making this request
of us.
The 2003 General Assembly issued the revised statement, “Presbyterians
Do Mission in Partnership.” It reminds us that partnership
involves careful listening and mutual respect. Listening and respect
impel us to action.
For information on Cuba-related legislation and advocacy strategies,
contact the Latin America Working Group at www.lawg.org/cuba.htm
(110 Maryland Ave, NE, Box 15, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: (202)
546-7010).
The PC(USA)’s Washington Office has Cuba information and
a “Presby Legislative Action Center” that makes contacting
your legislators wonderfully easy at /www.pcusa.org/washington.
The Washington Office on Latin America has a booklet, “A
Time for Change: Rethinking U.S.-Cuba Policy,” available
for $5.00 plus $1.75 shipping and handling for the first copy
and $3.00 plus $.50 for further copies. Go to www.wola.org
(or write: Cuba Education Booklet Request, Washington Office on
Latin America, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 200, Washington,
DC 20009. Phone (202) 797-2171 to use a credit card).
It is a privilege to assist and nurture mission partnerships
between Presbyterians in the United States and Cuba. I pray that
our sharing around the Lord’s Table and our unity in Christ’s
name might indeed be a witness to governments and peoples everywhere.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Tricia
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
241 |
