The Cuban priest Leandro NaunHung shared a poignant reflection following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, stating that structural poverty and a lack of resources, rather than the cyclone itself, are the true causes of thousands of families losing their homes in Cuba.
During a mass held in a rural community of Santiago de Cuba, NaunHung urged the faithful to reflect on the reality of the country and the precarious conditions in which farmers live.
"Some say: oh, because the roof fell on me or the house collapsed. What house? We need to define what a house is. Four poles with a black tarp and two pieces of tile, that's a shelter, not a house."
The priest stated that the passage of Hurricane Melissa only "exposed" the poverty that already existed before the disaster.
"Your house didn't exist before Melissa came. She has only revealed that you didn't have a house, and we will continue to be without a house because there are no building materials, forget about that," he noted.
NaunHung also criticized the lack of basic resources and urged the community to stop waiting for solutions from the State.
"Melissa passed, they have to give me something. Who is going to give it to you? Don't expect someone to solve your life for you," he said.
In his sermon, the priest emphasized that priorities must now be basic and real
"We need something to shelter us from the rain and a meal to fill our stomachs. That will be our priority: to find it, share it, and help one another."
The priest urged the community to maintain unity and collaboration as the only way to confront scarcity: “This is community work. Let us stay united, helping and supporting each other.”
The words of Father NaunHung reflect the feelings of many Cubans who, after Hurricane Melissa, not only lost what little they had but are also facing the indifference of a state unable to provide them with shelter, food, or hope.
The Catholic priest is a fervent advocate for the rural communities of Santiago de Cuba, addressing their main issues. Additionally, on social media, he highlights those tools that help empower these forgotten populations.
He is not the only one from the Catholic Church exposing the regime. Another parish priest, Alberto Reyes, denounced this Friday that the Cuban regime exacerbates the country’s health and social crisis as a deliberate strategy to “crush the hope” of the people and prevent a new rebellion.
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