WCC news: After pastoral visit to Cuba, delegation expresses compassionate care

After a four-day solidarity and pastoral visit to Cuba, an international ecumenical delegation, in a statement, expressed the support and compassionate care, particularly regarding the grave humanitarian and human rights impacts of the unilateral economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the US for more than six and a half decades.  From left: Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches; Rev. Jihyun Oh, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and executive director of Presbyterian Life & Witness; Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins, director of advocacy in the Presbyterian Church (USA); Rev. Dr. Reynaldo Ferreira Leao Neto, general secretary of the World Methodist Council; Rt Rev. Anthony Poggo, secretary-general of The Anglican Communion; Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches; Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico, president of the Cuban Council of Churches. Photo: Panchito González/Prensa Latina 2 March 2026 “The most vulnerable people include 5 million people living with chronic illnesses whose treatments are at risk of disruption and 1 million people who rely on tanker trucks for drinking water,” reads the statement. "The delegation sought to convey the solidarity of the global ecumenical fellowship with the churches and people of Cuba suffering these impacts.” The programme of the visit included meetings with church leaders, the Cuban Council of Churches, government officials, and local communities.  “Discussions focused on the humanitarian situation, the role of churches in accompanying vulnerable communities, and the need for policies that prioritize human dignity,” reads the statement. “Throughout the visit, delegation members witnessed and heard painful testimonies of the suffering of the Cuban people in this situation.” Added to the economic and humanitarian challenges, the Cuban people live under the threat of possible US military invasion. “At the conclusion of this visit, discussions with the Cuban Council of Churches have begun on the possibility of convening an international ecumenical forum, to strengthen solidarity among churches of the world with the Cuban churches and people, and to raise awareness on the international stage of the cruelty and injustice of the indiscriminate collective punishment inflicted on them,” reads the statement. Read the full statement Photo gallery International ecumenical delegation concludes visit to Cuba (WCC news release, 1 April 2026) Ecumenical delegation meets Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (WCC news release, 1 April 2026) “Cuba offers a prophetic witness to the global church,” says WCC general secretary (WCC news release, 30 March 2026) Ecumenical delegation to visit Cuba as humanitarian crisis deepens (WCC news release, 27 March 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland