Title: Ease restrictions on aid to Cuba, church leaders urge
Date: September 16, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
Office of Communication
United Church of Christ
On the Web: www.ucc.org
Office of Communication
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
On the Web: www.disciples.org
98c-57
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- With legislation due to arrive in the U. S. Senate within the next few weeks, the leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ are urging the Senate to ease restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba.
The Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Rev. Paul H. Sherry, United Church of Christ president, sent a letter Sept. 11 to U.S. Senators asking their support of the Dodd/Warner bill. The bill (S.1391) would restore President Clinton's authority to permit the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, a step, the letter states, which should be taken "not only for humanitarian reasons, but also as a step in the development of a more constructive relationship with Cuba."
Citing the witness of their partner churches in Cuba to view, first-hand, the effects of the embargo, the letter further states that "[o]ne need not be a supporter of the current Castro government to believe that the embargo's devastating impact on the Cuban population is wrong.
"Studies indicate that the embargo has reduced the daily food intake of Cuban people by as much as a third since 1989," the leaders continue, "which, along with the limited availability of medicines, has caused severe health problems, especially among pregnant women, children, and the elderly."
The Council of Churches of Cuba, the Catholic Bishops of Cuba and the Cuban Jewish community also support an end to the embargo.
With the letter, Sherry and Hamm are asking legislators to "seize the legislative opportunity that may be available in this session of Congress to begin a more humane and compassionate relationship with the people of Cuba."
The UCC's General Synod and the Disciples' General Assembly have gone on record in opposition to the economic embargo against Cuba. In the UCC's and Disciples' systems, the Synod and Assembly are churchwide decision-making bodies that meet every two years. Synod and Assembly resolutions are not binding on other settings of the church. Members, congregations and regional bodies are free to hold differing opinions.
Here is the full text of the letter sent Sept. 11 by the Rev.Richard L. Hamm, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Rev. Paul H. Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ.
"During the coming weeks the United States will be considering legislation to ease the embargo against Cuba. The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1973, 1993 and 1997, and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ in 1993 have opposed the economic embargo against Cuba. On the basis of that policy, both churches strongly support the easing of restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, not only for humanitarian reasons, but also as a step in the development of a more constructive relationship with Cuba. Therefore, we hope you will support the Dodd/Warner legislation as it comes to the Senate for consideration.
"Our concern stems from the witness of our partners in Cuba. Our churches relate closely to the Council of Churches in Cuba, an ecumenical body composed of 19 Protestant denominations and 10 ecumenical movements, as well as to the Pentecostal Christian Church of Cuba. In the context of that relationship we have had numerous opportunities to view first hand the effects of the embargo. Since 1994 the Council of Churches of Cuba has called for an end to the United States blockade of Cuba, citing the significant health impact the embargo has had on the Cuban people. This call for an end to the blockade is shared by the Catholic Bishops of Cuba and by the Cuban Jewish community.
"One need not be a supporter of the current Castro government to believe that the embargo's devastating impact on the Cuban population is wrong. Studies indicate that the embargo has reduced the daily food intake of Cuban people by as much as a third since 1989 which, along with the limited availability of medicines, has caused severe health problems, especially among pregnant women, children, and the elderly. The impoverishment of Cuban citizens resulting from the embargo must be ended.
"As leaders of two churches who relate ecumenically to many Christians in Cuba, and who for years have joined ecumenical partners in the United States in calling for an end to this punishing embargo, we urge you to seize the legislative opportunity that may be available in this session of Congress to begin a more humane and compassionate relationship with the people of Cuba."
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