The Parish Council of the Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Cárdenas, located in the province of Matanzas, has publicly condemned a series of thefts targeting their place of worship. They accuse Cuban authorities of lacking the urgency displayed when state institutions are affected by crime.
In a letter made public by the congregation and shared on social media, the church highlights that they have been victims of three thefts over the past year, yet no tangible outcomes have resulted from their complaints.
Approximately a year ago, the first incident occurred when an electric tricycle used for community and pastoral work was stolen. According to the parish council, investigators arrived 12 hours after the theft, and despite subsequent discussions with a representative from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the case remains unresolved.
“We are still without answers or resolutions,” the members expressed.
Repeated Thefts and Diminished Confidence
Three months ago, another theft took place when unknown individuals stole two solar lamps from the church. On this occasion, the congregation chose not to file a complaint.
“It was a gesture of disillusionment that should not exist in a country governed by the rule of law,” the letter remarked, attributing the decision to a lack of confidence in the authorities' willingness to investigate these matters.
The most recent theft occurred this past Saturday, involving the loss of approximately 20 meters of solar energy system cabling, critical for the church's operations.
The church clarified that the electrical setup is essential for providing purified water to the community, preparing food for those in need, and maintaining religious activities.
“This is not a luxury item,” emphasized the parish council, which filed a new police report immediately.
Broader Impact Across Churches
The letter states that this problem extends beyond their church to other Episcopal churches in the province. For instance, on May 23, the Episcopal Church of St. Paul in Bolondrón experienced the theft of a solar station. Church representatives were informed by authorities that they knew who the alleged perpetrators were but claimed insufficient evidence to make arrests.
The parish council interprets this as indicative of “inaction, lack of investigative intent, and impunity.”
Additionally, a similar theft at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Güira de Macurijes on June 7 remains unresolved.
The signatories reject the notion that these incidents are isolated occurrences.
“We understand them as what they truly are: an assault against this church and a violation of our religious freedom,” they declared.
Demand for Equal Treatment Under the Law
In their letter, the congregation calls attention to Article 15 of the Cuban Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom, and Article 387.1 of the Penal Code, which penalizes acts aimed at disrupting the functioning of legally established religious institutions.
They also question the disparity in how these crimes are treated compared to those committed against state entities.
“When government institutions or state entities are robbed, investigations accelerate, resources are mobilized, and the perpetrators are quickly apprehended,” the letter asserts.
Thus, the church demands that authorities exercise the same “investigative diligence” when religious communities or ordinary citizens fall victim.
Escalating Issue of Solar Equipment Theft
This complaint adds to a growing number of recent incidents highlighting the rise in thefts of solar energy-related equipment across Cuba. On July 19, reports emerged of solar lamp thefts from a parish in Central Havana, and on July 9, solar panels were reported stolen from the Maternal Home in Cárdenas.
The issue is further exacerbated in a province notably plagued by crime. According to the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit, Matanzas recorded 503 verified crimes in 2025, the highest number in the country.
Simultaneously, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) documented 667 violations of freedom of religion or belief in Cuba between January 2025 and June 2026. Within this context, the Episcopal Church of Cárdenas concluded their letter with a stark reminder:
“Religious freedom is not a privilege; it is a right enshrined in our Constitution and international agreements to which Cuba is a party.”
Understanding Religious Freedom Challenges in Cuba
What is prompting the Episcopal Church in Cárdenas to speak out?
The Episcopal Church in Cárdenas is protesting against a series of thefts targeting their church, criticizing the lack of prompt police action compared to crimes against state institutions.
How have the authorities responded to these thefts?
According to the church, authorities have shown a lack of urgency and investigative intent, which they claim demonstrates a general passivity and impunity in addressing these crimes.
What impact do these thefts have on the church's operations?
The thefts disrupt the church's ability to provide essential services such as purified water, food preparation for the needy, and maintaining its religious activities, severely affecting their community support efforts.