Lawmakers Call on Church Hierarchy to Condemn Castro Regime Abuses

Over the weekend, Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R) directed a letter to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. The letter expresses disappointment that the Church hierarchy has not released a statement condemning “the Cuban regime’s egregious abuses of the Cuban people.”

Earlier this year, protests erupted in Cuba against the communist dictatorship, and similar protests reached South Florida, expressing the same disappointment in the political system. The protests subsequently led to discussions regarding the future of a free Cuba, and lawmakers from across the country condemned the communist regime. Businesses in South Florida were vocal, erecting signs in support, but Florida lawmakers are now taking issue with some world leaders for not addressing the concern.

Taking to social media to share the letter with followers, Rep. Diaz-Balart joined Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) and Carlos Gimenez (R) in signing the letter, proclaiming that they expressed “disappointment that the Holy Father has not condemned the Cuban regime’s egregious abuses of the Cuban people, nor expressed solidarity with their demands for freedom.”

The lawmakers added that “as Members of Congress who represent a large Cuban American constituency, with constituents who share these concerns, we want to be sure that you are fully aware of the Cuban people’s struggle.”

Informing that the protests were against “brutal oppression, and to demand democracy and basic human rights including the right to the free exercise of religion,” they noted that “the Cuban people have been disappointed in the failure of the Catholic Church leadership to stand with them against oppression, abuse, and tyranny.” The lawmakers added that the Cuban people “feel abandoned by Church hierarchy which has failed to condemn the Cuban dictatorship’s daily assaults on human dignity, or to even proclaim God-given rights of the Cuban people to speak, assemble, and worship in peace.”

The Catholic hierarchy has not responded to the letter.