A man caught stealing at a Catholic church in Diez de Octubre, Havana, threatened to kill the priests who detained him. “If I had a knife, I would kill both of you,” the individual repeatedly warned in an intimidating tone after being discovered stealing at the parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Santos Suárez on June 22, according to an extensive report by journalist Rachel Susana Diez, Cuba correspondent for the Catholic communication channel EWTN.
The reporter stated that the same man has committed at least 12 thefts, half of them in Catholic churches, “though he is never caught and continues trying.” Diez pointed out that the presence of the individual and “the state of alert in communities over thefts have raised concerns about who is responsible for theft or vandalism against ecclesiastical property in Cuba.”
According to records kept by EWTN, at least 50 cases of theft and vandalism have been reported in 34 parishes, religious community houses, and churches across various regions of Cuba from March 2023 to the present. Most of the reports come from Havana churches.
Community Concerns and Police Inaction
The portion of the report where the captured thief threatens the priests was published this Sunday on Facebook by young Catholic filmmaker Adrián Martínez Cádiz. The priests called the police and prevented the individual from leaving for an extended period, “until they had no choice but to let him go, as the Cuban police never arrived,” Martínez said. “He is now free thanks to the inefficiency or noticeable disinterest of the Cuban authorities in stopping those who attack the Catholic Church on the island.”
“This is not the first time authorities have been called for problems,” he added. “At least five other times police assistance has been requested due to issues with people attempting to assault parishioners, and the authorities never show up.”
On the day of the incident, the EWTN correspondent made an extensive Facebook post about the frequent thefts and vandalism against churches following the June 22 capture of the individual. “This afternoon, my parish, the community of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Santos Suárez in Diez de Octubre, experienced an attempted theft that was fortunately spotted and stopped in time by our pastor, who intercepted the thief when he jumped the fence to access the temple and parish house,” she wrote.
“When interrogated about his motivations, the man claimed he did it to find a pill,” Diez related, adding, “I don’t know whether to pity a man who so blatantly insults our intelligence or to consider the level of degradation our society has reached that drives someone to embark on such a suicidal venture.”
The young woman said she did not know the reasons that motivated the individual to steal, nor the motives “behind those who have broken the stained glass and windows of the Church of San Antonio de Padua in Arroyo Naranjo, an act reported hours ago by Father Kenny Fernández” or “the reason behind those who have committed successive acts of vandalism for over a year at the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Linea del Vedado, overseen by Father Lester Zayas.”
She also recalled the complaint from the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Baraguá, where “they have experienced 10 thefts this year alone and more than 50 in the community.”
The reporter then offered her professional services to document the ongoing criminal acts committed against Catholic temples in the country. “I announce through this medium to our brothers in faith that I will be collecting all possible material to publicize the complaints and expose our level of vulnerability in this matter,” she emphasized.
“When someone in broad daylight can jump such a conspicuous fence as the one around my community, it’s because they understand there are certain limits of impunity within which they can operate, regardless of their needs,” Diez asserted. “Also, as Cubans, we well understand the popular saying, ‘he who steals is willing to do anything.’”
“In the evangelical love that unites us, we also know that stealing is a sin. And prolonged exposure to dishonesty has serious consequences for the moral fabric of any society. Silence also makes us complicit,” the young laywoman concluded.
Concerns Over Theft and Vandalism in Cuban Churches
The ongoing theft and vandalism against Catholic churches in Cuba raise several pressing questions about accountability and security. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding these serious issues.
Why are Cuban authorities not responding to reports of theft and vandalism in churches?
There appears to be a significant lack of interest or efficiency on the part of Cuban authorities in addressing these issues, as evidenced by multiple instances where police assistance was requested but not provided.
How widespread are theft and vandalism incidents in Cuban churches?
According to EWTN's records, there have been at least 50 incidents of theft and vandalism reported in 34 parishes, religious community houses, and churches across various regions of Cuba since March 2023.
What measures are being taken to protect ecclesiastical properties?
Church communities are on high alert and are documenting the incidents. Reports and complaints are being collected to raise awareness and expose the lack of security and protection for ecclesiastical properties.
What can be done to improve the security of churches in Cuba?
Increased vigilance, community involvement, and pressure on authorities to take these issues seriously could help improve security. Documentation and publicizing these incidents also play a crucial role in advocating for better protection.