For the second consecutive year, the Cuban government has banned the Solemn Palm Sunday Via Crucis, a Christian procession that was planned for this Sunday in Vedado, Havana. The event, intended to take place from Línea to Letrán, was organized by the Vicariate but was called off due to lack of approval from authorities, as revealed by Father Lester Rafael Zayas Díaz on Facebook.
"We inform you that the Solemn Via Crucis planned by the Vicariate for tomorrow, Palm Sunday at 6:00 p.m., from Línea to Letrán, has been suspended because the authorities have not granted approval," the priest emphasized in his post.
This decision has reignited criticism regarding the regime's restrictions on public displays of faith on the island, especially since the Solemn Via Crucis was also prohibited in 2024. In that instance, the Cuban government barred the Catholic community in El Vedado from holding the Holy Burial procession, an integral part of Holy Week celebrations.
The Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in El Vedado issued a statement explaining to its followers why the procession would not take place. "Yesterday, I was informed through the appropriate channels that the Holy Burial procession, which had been duly requested for the streets of El Vedado, would not be approved. This marks over eleven years of tradition, disrupted only by the pandemic and last year’s denial due to insufficient security personnel," the parish priest reported.
The priest further noted that the refusal this year was linked to the authorities' disapproval of his sermons. Repression against religious manifestations is not a new phenomenon. Back in 2019, several Cuban dioceses reported the prohibition of public celebrations, such as processions in Camagüey and Holguín. These actions were accompanied by bureaucratic hurdles and pressure from the State Security, according to religious leaders.
Additionally, international bodies have raised concerns about these restrictions. In March 2021, the UN Special Rapporteur on religious freedom highlighted that Cuban legislation allows for the penalization of religious beliefs. He pointed out that the legal framework's ambiguity facilitates state control and restricts the rights of religious communities, particularly those not officially registered.
Religious Freedom and Restrictions in Cuba
Why was the Palm Sunday procession in Havana canceled?
The Palm Sunday procession was canceled because the Cuban authorities did not approve the event, as reported by the organizing priest.
What reasons did the government give for prohibiting religious processions?
The government cited security concerns and disagreement with certain sermons as reasons for denying approval for religious processions.
Have there been international responses to Cuba's religious restrictions?
Yes, international organizations have criticized Cuba's restrictions on religious freedom, noting that the legal framework allows for penalizing religious beliefs.