Leiter Juvier P. Wilfredo, a priest in Sagua La Grande, Villa Clara, reported that a well-known church thief from Havana visited his parish.
"This afternoon at 1:45 p.m., I found the infamous individual leaving the parish house. This man has been sneaking into bishoprics, parishes, parish houses, convents, etc., especially in the western and central parts of the country," wrote the priest on Facebook, alongside two photos of the culprit.
The Sagua La Grande priest highlighted that despite the circulation of photos and videos exposing this critical issue—which disrupts the peace of priests, religious members, and the faithful—"nothing happens" and the individual continues his activities, now even crossing provincial boundaries.
"Today was the third time he has entered this parish in less than three months. It seems he has a particular affinity for Sagua la Grande," noted Leiter Juvier P. Wilfredo, who also mentioned that the thief has threatened priests with death.
In addition to criticizing the police's inaction, as authorities have been called multiple times without response, the priest questioned whether the thief is more than just a simple burglar, given his mysterious impunity.
"Is he really mentally unstable as he appears when spoken to? Could it be a distraction tactic learned somewhere? Does he have some kind of patronage beyond mere impunity? Could he be working for some private espionage entity we don't know about?" he pondered.
"I don't know, these are questions many of us are asking. And as the Elpidio Valdés cartoon says: Keep your eyes wide open," concluded the priest.
In the comments section, a user mentioned that the thief was also recently spotted in Cienfuegos.
"Authorities do nothing because the victims are Catholics (priests, nuns, and laypeople), and they are complicit in these thefts and abuses. The man has an aggressive expression, like 'don't mess with me,' but not a crazy one. I believe the government is behind this," stated another commenter.
Others pointed out that "this and other individuals have been doing the same thing with impunity in bishoprics, parishes, and religious houses for decades. They either destroy, pretend to steal, or actually steal."
"And the police or authorities? They're in 'Summer Mode.' In some cases, reports were filed, and the perpetrators were released in front of the complainants. Strange? No, very clear," another user commented.
The thief, whose name has not yet been disclosed, has also threatened priests and nuns with death.
In early July, the same man was caught stealing in the parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Santos Suárez, in the Havana municipality of Diez de Octubre.
In a video from that incident, he was heard threatening to kill the priests who detained him. The clergy called the police and held the man for a long time until they had no choice but to let him go since the police never arrived.
"If I had a knife, I would kill both of you," the man repeatedly warned in an intimidating tone after being caught stealing, according to an extensive report by journalist Rachel Susana Diez, a correspondent for the Catholic communication channel EWTN.
The reporter confirmed that the same man has committed at least 12 thefts, half of them in Catholic churches, "though he is never caught and keeps trying again."
According to EWTN's records, there have been at least 50 incidents of theft and vandalism in 34 parishes, religious community houses, and churches across various regions of Cuba, from March 2023 to date. Most reports come from Havana churches.
Understanding the Church Theft Incidents in Cuba
Below are some commonly asked questions and their answers regarding the ongoing church thefts in Cuba, particularly focusing on the notorious thief and the responses from authorities.
Who is the notorious church thief in Havana?
The thief's name has not been disclosed, but he is known for repeatedly stealing from churches and religious establishments in Havana and other provinces.
What actions have been taken by the authorities?
Despite numerous reports and calls to the police, the authorities have failed to take effective action, allowing the thief to continue his activities with impunity.
Has the thief been caught before?
Yes, the thief has been caught in the act multiple times, but he is often released without consequence, enabling him to resume his criminal activities.
Why do some believe the government is involved?
Some believe the government is complicit due to the lack of action and the thief's continued impunity, raising suspicions of possible government involvement or protection.