“The Cuban Catholic Church has 374 priests , which means that Cuba has the highest ratio of Catholics per priest in the world: 20,872 faithful per priest. In addition, the other religious, 490 nuns and 173 monks, are mostly foreigners and there are only 27 seminarians in the entire country, so that the “cornerstone” of the Cuban Church are the 3,699 lay people who sometimes offer their own homes to set up small chapels where the Eucharist is celebrated.”[1]
Moreover, “Relations between the regime and the [Cuban] Catholic Church are currently tense , due to the constant criticism published by several priests on their Facebook profiles, referring to the comprehensive breakdown of Cuban society.”
These circumstances prompted Monsignor Emilio Aranguren, the bishop of Holguín and president of the Confederation of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, [to ask] Spanish Catholics for help this week to cope with ‘the worst moment’ of the many he has experienced in his long pastoral life.”
Aranguren explained that “the current situation is worse than what we saw in the 1990s, in the so-called ‘special period’. There is a great shortage of basic necessities that can only be obtained at exorbitant prices.”
He “also said that ‘the issue of medicines is very serious. For example, there are many problems in finding the necessary medicine in cases of dementia and this makes the sick very upset and makes their life and the lives of those around them very difficult.’”
“The bishop stressed that ‘our Church is synodal, united, alive, attentive, but it is also a poor Church. The great challenge of the Cuban Church is the proclamation of the Gospel, and in this we are not alone, ACN supports us. The Church in Cuba is a Church that remains, like a beacon that stands firm, that announces to people who are in despair. This light attracts and guides, and we are called to respond.’”
The bishop added, “’Cubans go through many difficulties in Cuba and need the comfort offered by priests,’ noting that the island has ‘very few priests’ who have to travel long distances to be able to serve all their parishioners.”
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[1] The Catholic Church in Cuba asks Spanish religious for help to continue its mission, Diario de Cuba (Sept. 5, 2024).