A Catholic priest in Santiago de Cuba recently took to social media to share a video where he reflects on the current crisis plaguing the island. He stressed the importance of resilience and transformation as responses to adversity. Leandro NaunHung urged his congregation not to fall into passive resistance, asserting that by 2025, those who fail to adapt will vanish. He emphasized the necessity of adjusting to the challenging times ahead.
In his message, the priest tackled the sense of despair that grips many Cubans, especially during the frequent electricity outages that leave them in darkness. "You feel like crying because you wonder, how long will this pointless suffering last?" he expressed. Despite the difficulties, NaunHung encouraged the community to find peace and joy amid adversity, reminding them of the Christmas announcement as a call for hope and spiritual preparation.
NaunHung highlighted resilience as the key to overcoming challenges, distinguishing it from resistance, which he believes leads to exhaustion: "Resistance ultimately leads to explosion... It's not about resisting, but about changing." He urged the community to unite, support one another, and seek new ways to move forward, from exchanging basic goods to seizing opportunities to generate income during the crisis.
"Resilience means being able to change amidst adversity and finding new ways to keep living because no one has the right to take my life away," NaunHung stated, cautioning against being deceived by those who preach patience while enjoying privileges. He also recalled the lessons from the so-called "Special Period," when many Cubans learned to creatively adapt despite extreme shortages.
However, he warned about the limits of endurance, noting that the ability to "endure" comes with an emotional and physical cost that cannot be ignored: "Enduring for the sake of enduring is not living; it's accepting that others are stealing your life." NaunHung also underscored the importance of solidarity among neighbors and believers, encouraging them to rely on community support for survival. He discussed practical solutions, such as planting crops to generate income or sharing basic foods.
This pragmatic and community-focused approach, he noted, is a way to regain dignity and independence in the face of hardship.
Understanding Resilience and Change in Cuba's Crisis
What is the main message of Leandro NaunHung's video?
Leandro NaunHung's primary message is the necessity of change and resilience in response to the ongoing crisis in Cuba, warning that those who do not adapt by 2025 may face extinction.
How does NaunHung differentiate between resilience and resistance?
NaunHung differentiates resilience from resistance by emphasizing that resistance leads to exhaustion, while resilience involves adapting and finding new ways to live amidst adversity.
What practical steps does NaunHung suggest for overcoming the crisis?
NaunHung suggests practical steps like community support, exchanging basic goods, planting crops to generate income, and sharing food as ways to overcome the current crisis.