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The community of the Order of the Pious Schools in Guanabacoa, Havana, denounced a theft with vandalism that occurred on the night of this Tuesday.
According to the statement issued by the parish community itself, the incident resulted in thefts and damages in various areas of the temple and led to a public outcry due to the lack of immediate response from the authorities after the report was made to 106.
The individuals responsible took candelabras of the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Family, and other images, in addition to fans, light bulbs, and liturgical ornaments, and caused material damage by breaking a display case and wooden showcases.
The text emphasizes that the stolen objects have, in addition to material value, an "immense spiritual value" for the parishioners.
The notice adds that the intruders forced and broke the wooden bars of a window to extract the goods, which in the community's view demonstrates a premeditated and violent act against the sacred site.
After reporting that they called the number 106 and filed the complaint, the Escolapios state that, at the time of publishing their message, no authorities had appeared at the scene to collect evidence, assess the damage, or initiate an investigation, a situation they describe as a feeling of institutional neglect.
"We feel abandoned by those who have the constitutional duty to protect the citizens and our heritage. If they do not respond to a crime of this magnitude, where does the security we deserve stand?" they wrote.
In light of what has happened, the community demands an immediate and effective investigation, the urgent presence of authorities, and real protective measures for religious spaces, as well as an institutional response to crime.
It also requests the neighbors to share the report and provide any information that could help clarify the situation.
Thefts and vandalism in Cuban churches
The Catholic Information Agency reported in 2024 that since March 2023, there have been more than 50 thefts and acts of vandalism in churches in Cuba.
At least 50 cases of theft and vandalism in 34 parishes and religious houses in Cuba have been reported since March 2023, most of these in La Habana, with authorities doing nothing to stop this phenomenon.
He claimed that nearly twenty of these crimes were committed by a man who enjoys impunity because the police never arrive in time to catch him.
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