ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA

ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER
CUBA / Mario Barroso
Mario Barroso, Translator: Maria Montoto

ALL OF US CHRISTIAN CUBANS SHOULD SIGN THE CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA

For several weeks now the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA has come to be
known, a demand which a symbolic number of Cubans — not on behalf of any
party or institution, but simply by virtue of citizenship — turned in to
the National Assembly of Popular Power. Given such a short period of
time, this effort has already achieved a record number of Cuban
signatures, both within and outside the island. Internationally
recognized figures of unquestionable prestige are starting to take note
and see this demand favorably — a snowball that is increasing
exponentially in size and is headed straight toward the sore — perhaps
as a last valid effort for obtaining the changes, so urgent to Cuba, via
totally peaceful and civilized means.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have decided not to remain neutral
before the disaster — in every sense — that is today the nation in which
I live, in which I am called to minister, and which I love. I believe
Dante was correct when he declared: "the most fiery parts of Hell are
reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, remain neutral."

That is why my signature of the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA was
already among that first symbolic group of signers who carried out the
formal delivery. Also there, were those of my wife as well as other
esteemed brethren of faith.

I consider that no one who claims to be a disciple of Christ in Cuba
should remain neutral before the debacle that is being reaped as a
result of these more than fifty years of disaster; and much less remain
in whichever of those organizations which are identified as political or
of the masses — merely tentacles of the oppressive government.

My pastoral work is characterized by a lot of patience and tolerance of
the many who are in such ambivalent positions, but my personal opinion
is that if neutrality is questionable in its extreme, placed on a par
with the half-heartedness referred to in the Book of Apocalypse of the
Bible, conspiracy with a system that is at present totally unmasked is
equivalent to complicity, also equivalents to allowing yourself to be
marked by the political beast to whom the Book of Apocalypse makes
reference in chapter 13.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is not neutral to the Cuban
plight, and much less favors it, I call all of my Cuban brethren of
faith within and outside the island, to sign this demand that can in
itself constitute an instrument of response to the innumerable prayers
and clamor that has been raised to Him during decades of suffering.
Those possessing access to internet may do so on the following web page:
http://porotracuba.wordpress.com

The CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA merely insists that the pacts signed
in the United Nations by Felipe Perez Roque, ex-minister of Foreign
Affairs, be ratified. The ratification involves one step beyond a simple
signing since it forces the urgent materialization of constitutional
changes that will adapt to those pacts.

The Bible states in Galatians 3:15 that A PACT, EVEN IF MADE BY MAN,
ONCE RATIFIED, NO ONE CAN INVALIDATE IT NOR ADD TO IT. Although human,
these pacts pick up on basic elements so that people be treated with the
dignity corresponding them for the simple reason of being born, created
in the image and likeness of God.

Let our acts correspond to our prayers.

Let us sign the CITIZEN DEMAND FOR ANOTHER CUBA!

Presbyter Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso

Translated by: Maria Montoto

July 5 2012

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