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The Western Cuba Baptist Convention urged its locations across the country not to engage in political activism from their facilities, considering that "it is not a purpose of the church as an institution."
In a three-page statement addressed to its member churches, the organization outlined a doctrinal stance in the current context of Cuba's severe crisis that has driven Cubans to protest in various settings.
The document, signed by the president of the organization, Pbro. Dr. Bárbaro Abel Marrero Castellanos, openly acknowledges the seriousness of the situation in Cuba; however, it requests not to use the Church as a platform for activism.
"We are living in turbulent times in our nation. There is so much suffering, material and spiritual deprivation, poor health conditions, rising crime rates, injustices, and despair — realities that are not alien to us," the text states.
The statement acknowledges that the government or the system can be considered "dysfunctional, counterproductive, and failed," and that it is legitimate to desire its change.
"Even so, it should not be illegal to express that desire, with moderation, respect, and adherence to the truth," he adds. However, he states that such political participation must be done "in a personal capacity, as an expression of their secular vocation and not representing the church."
Appealing to the historical Baptist principle of separation between church and state —based on Matthew 22:21: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's"— the text warns that turning political activism into a church purpose would be "a fatal misfocus."
The Convention clarifies that it will not condemn those who choose to participate in politics, but insists that these actions must be independent of the ecclesiastical community.
In the theological context, the Convention reaffirms its mission in light of the crisis in Cuba: true change will come through repentance and faith.
At the same time, the statement outlines the specific social actions that Baptist churches are taking amid the crisis: providing weekly breakfasts and lunches to vulnerable elderly people and children, organizing medical days with health professionals from the congregations, and offering educational support to address the shortcomings of the Cuban school system.
The pastor Marrero Castellanos explained to Martí Noticias that the statement was directed solely to the churches that are members of the Convention and does not represent a public declaration of a political nature.
The statement comes at a time of high tension for religious communities on the island. Just in 2024, the Christian Alliance of Cuba documented 996 repressive actions against religious leaders. Cuba ranks 24th on the 2026 World Watch List by the Open Doors organization.
This month, pastor Rolando Pérez Lora was arrested in Matanzas just moments after delivering a live religious message on YouTube.
The pastors Luis Guillermo Borjas and Roxana Rojas have been detained since May 2025, facing a prosecutor's request for eight years in prison.
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