Cuba: Church opens its doors to LGBTQI+ people

[Disir]

When Fidel Castro was in power, the practice of religion was initially banned. It was not until 1992 that the communist regime enshrined religious freedom in the constitution.

But even today, many believers feel they are being patronized. At the same time, the Catholic Church in Cuba is seen as an important bridge builder between Cuban civil society and the regime.

But the Vatican still views homosexuality as a sin, despite the presence of Pope Francis, who is seen as much more liberal than his predecessors. And other communities of faith in Cuba, too, are far less open to the LGBTQI+ community than elsewhere.

But even in Cuba, the MCC remains faithful to its worldwide credo of providing people with a spiritual home regardless of their sexual orientation or identity, as the chair of the Cuban MMCC branch, Yivi Cruz, told DW. "Our church is open to all people, but above all to those who have been excluded from or even hurt by other churches," she said.

Cuban church welcomes LGBTQI+ people – DW – 01/02/2021

Being part of the LGBTQI+ community and a church congregation at the same time is not accepted everywhere, and particularly not in Cuba. But one church there is breaking new ground.

www.dw.com

I'm actually surprised that Cuba has one church that is open.

 

[Polishprince]

I would have thought that Communist Cuba would be naturally pro-LGBTQ+. The fact that Political refugees from Cuba, like Al Pacino, are so opposed to it, would indicate the communist overlords love it.

 

[TheParser]

Fidel Castro threw gay Cubans into concentration camps during the first years of his tyranny.

 

[AMart]

When Fidel Castro was in power, the practice of religion was initially banned. It was not until 1992 that the communist regime enshrined religious freedom in the constitution.

But even today, many believers feel they are being patronized. At the same time, the Catholic Church in Cuba is seen as an important bridge builder between Cuban civil society and the regime.

But the Vatican still views homosexuality as a sin, despite the presence of Pope Francis, who is seen as much more liberal than his predecessors. And other communities of faith in Cuba, too, are far less open to the LGBTQI+ community than elsewhere.

But even in Cuba, the MCC remains faithful to its worldwide credo of providing people with a spiritual home regardless of their sexual orientation or identity, as the chair of the Cuban MMCC branch, Yivi Cruz, told DW. "Our church is open to all people, but above all to those who have been excluded from or even hurt by other churches," she said.

Cuban church welcomes LGBTQI+ people – DW – 01/02/2021

Being part of the LGBTQI+ community and a church congregation at the same time is not accepted everywhere, and particularly not in Cuba. But one church there is breaking new ground.

www.dw.com

I'm actually surprised that Cuba has one church that is open.

Communist regimes, after gaining total control and outlawing religious practices, have generally allowed for the return of religious practice decades later. Sometimes the regime micromanages official services and rewrites the bible, like in China, which is why many churches go "underground". The Regime in Cuba likely views religion and church services as not a threat or something not worth micro managing.