Tag: Havana

5 years on, what has Pope Francis done for religious freedom?

March 19, 2018 Global News -- No Particular Country Al-Azhar, Asia Bibi, Boko Haram, Egypt, Havana, Human rights, Iraq, Latin America, Minorities, Myanmar, Patriarch Bartholomew I, Patriarch Kirill, Pope Francis, Religious freedom, Syria, Turkey

Pope Francis greets people during his inauguration on 19 March 2013. (Photo: Getty Images)

Pope Francis, the son of Italian migrants, appeared on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica five years ago to be introduced as the first Latin American pontiff. Below, World Watch Monitor looks at a few of the highlights of his tenure so far, and his impact on freedom of religion . . . Read More

Cuba drops criminal charges against religious freedom activist

October 10, 2017 Cuba Cuba, Havana, Religious freedom

Cuba might have dropped criminal charges against a religious freedom activist, it still actively limits, controls and monitors religious practice through detention, demolition and threats, a report says. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Cuba has dropped criminal charges against the religious freedom activist Fếlix Yuniel Llerena López, reports advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. López, the Central Region Coordinator for the Patmos Institute, an independent civil society organisation that promotes freedom of religion or belief and inter-religious dialogue, was told on 2 October the . . . Read More

Cuba: pastor returns to work after arrest for home-schooling

August 18, 2017 Cuba Communism, Cuba, Havana, Ramon Rigal, USA

A Cuban pastor has been told he is permitted to work again as a church leader, six months after he and his wife were arrested for home-schooling their children. The Cuban government had cited Article 315.1 of the country’s Penal Code, which states: “Whoever induces a minor to leave his . . . Read More

‘Castro’s death won’t end repression of Cuban Church’

December 1, 2016 Cuba Fidel Castro, Havana, Latin America, Pope Francis, Raúl Castro

The death of Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro will not reduce the harassment and surveillance to which the Church is already subjected, an analyst at the charity Open Doors has warned. Following Castro’s death at the age of 90 on Saturday (26 Nov.), Paul Groen told World Watch Monitor: “Fidel’s . . . Read More

Christianity once considered a ‘disease’, but now ‘tolerated’ in Cuba

October 26, 2016 Cuba Censorship, Churches, Communism, Fidel Castro, Havana, Raúl Castro

The ruins of a church in the town of Trinidad, in the central Cuban province of Sancti Spíritus.Cristian Viarisio / Flickr / CC Christians in Cuba used to face constant pressure from the authorities for being thought “anti-revolutionaries”. It was said that being Christian was a “disease”. They were . . . Read More

The potential impact of US elections on the Church in Cuba

October 26, 2016 Cuba Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Elections, Havana, Hilary Clinton, Latin America, Raúl Castro

It’s been a year since the US embassy in Havana was opened, followed by the historic visit by President Barack Obama. Since then, collaboration between the two countries has increased. “Direct flights are due to begin this month, travel restrictions have been eased for US citizens and bilateral cooperation increased . . . Read More

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