Mexican priest José Ramírez, affectionately known as "Father Pepe," of the Congregation of the Mission, recently conveyed a powerful message of solidarity with the Cuban people, boldly expressing his willingness to face the consequences of his support.
Following the Cuban regime's decision to deny the renewal of his temporary residency, effectively forcing him to leave the country, Father Pepe reached out to a Cuban friend, articulating his steadfast support for the Cuban populace.
In his heartfelt message, he declared, "If you go out, I go out. If you shout, I shout," emphasizing his commitment to standing alongside the people of Cuba.
The priest further noted that "now is the time to be consistent" and to "show that I am with them," acknowledging the situation by stating, "if their actions have consequences, so do mine, and I am ready to accept what has happened."
He concluded by asking for strength "so that one day our Cuba will be free."
The Cuban government's backlash appears to be linked to an incident at La Milagrosa Church in Santos Suárez, Havana, where Father Pepe reportedly rang the church bells in solidarity with local residents protesting power outages.
His expulsion follows the viral spread of a Facebook video from December 8th, where activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa captured the sounds of pots clanging alongside the church bells during a community demonstration.
Martí Noticias verified the retaliation, adding that State Security agents directly pressured the priest. According to their account, Father Pepe is expected to leave Cuba and return to Mexico this Thursday.
This event unfolds amidst a "wave of protests" triggered by "excessive" blackouts, shortages, and the breakdown of essential services, with the regime responding through repression and internet blackouts, as per reports.
The expulsion occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the regime and critical voices within the Catholic Church, including priests like Lester Zayas, Alberto Reyes, Kenny Fernández Delgado, and José Conrado Rodríguez Alegre, as well as Sister Nadiezka Almeida, who have been vocal about the national crisis and lack of freedoms, causing irritation within the government.
Cuba's Political Climate and Religious Voices
Why was Father Pepe expelled from Cuba?
Father Pepe was expelled due to his support for the Cuban people's protests against the regime, particularly an incident where he rang church bells during demonstrations against power outages.
What were the reasons behind the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests were driven by excessive blackouts, scarcity of resources, and the collapse of basic services, prompting widespread discontent among the Cuban population.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the protests?
The regime responded with repression and internet disruptions, aiming to quell dissent and control the flow of information.