Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
The Alabama Baptist
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

While Castro targeted Catholic Church, other denominations began to grow

  • February 7, 2008
  • TAB Media staff
  • North America

While Castro targeted Catholic Church, other denominations began to grow

The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report 2007 observes that, though the Cuban Constitution “recognizes the right of citizens to profess and practice any religious belief within the framework of respect for the law, … in practice the Government continue[s] to place restrictions on freedom of religion.” In 1991 the Communist Party lifted its prohibition against religious believers seeking membership, and a year later the constitution was amended to characterize the state as secular instead of atheist, but the Cuban government still goes to great measures to control the religious practices of its people.

The multicultural make-up of Cuba is reflected in the various religions the people practice. Before the 1959 revolution, some sources say that 85 percent practiced Catholicism. However, the religion had been changed in some ways through a process known as syncretism in which aspects of other religious and cultural practices were integrated into the Catholic faith.

The primary syncretic belief in Cuba is Santeria, which developed from the native religions and was influenced strongly by the beliefs of African slaves imported in the 16th through 19th centuries. This religion combines aspects of many different traditional beliefs and Christianity. When slaves were brought to Cuba, they maintained many of their traditional beliefs while appearing to their owners to practice the required religion of Catholicism. Despite, or perhaps because of, its great number of followers, the Catholic Church became a target of Castro’s regime when the revolution occurred. In 1962, Castro’s government closed more than 400 Catholic schools, “charging that they spread dangerous beliefs among the people.”

Though other religions are practiced in Cuba today, the Catholic Church is the largest organized religion. Of Cuba’s 11.2 million citizens, about 45 percent of the Cuban population consider themselves Catholic (about 10 percent of whom attend mass regularly). This sharp decline in numbers — down from 85 percent before 1959 — has resulted not only because of the 1962 school closings, but also due to other governmental restrictions and controls. Many Catholic priests and officials were expelled from Cuba because of their involvement in anti-revolutionary activities. Today, the government restricts the number of new priests allowed to enter the country.

Though there is no official source of information on the number of people practicing any particular religion in Cuba, membership in Protestant churches is estimated at 530,000. Pentecostals report that membership has increased in the last several years, though no exact number is reported; Jehovah’s Witnesses claim over 86,000 members; Seventh-Day Adventists claim 30,000; Anglicans, 22,000; Presbyterians, 14,000; Methodists, 18,000; Mormons, 15 members; and the Jewish community, most of whom reside in Havana, is estimated at 1,200 members. The International Religious Freedom Report 2007 also claims that Baptists may be the largest Protestant denomination.

Cuba’s increasing membership in various religions is taking place despite continued interference from the government. Though restrictions have eased somewhat in the last decade or so, many obstacles are still faced by religious leaders and people trying to practice their faith.

Religious groups are required to register with the Registry of Associations for official recognition. To do this, the churches must disclose meeting places, demonstrate the source of funding, and certify that activities of another organization are not being duplicated by the church. Once a church is registered, its officials can obtain permission to travel abroad; receive foreign visitors and imported religious literature; and meet in officially recognized places of worship.

Unregistered churches must request exit permits on an individual basis and go to extralegal means to obtain religious materials.

Because the government rarely authorizes permits for new church construction, most churches must expand existing houses of worship. Even obtaining the permits for expansion or repairs and purchasing construction materials from government-controlled outlets is time consuming and expensive.

In the past, most religious groups have been able to hold services in private homes. However, in September 2005, the government enacted a controversial directive viewed as a restriction of house church operation.
The directive requires a registered house church to meet several requirements. It must not operate within two kilometers of another house church; must not hold meetings more than three times a week; and cannot be open except between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on workdays, and between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on other days.

In spite of restrictions on building, printing, broadcasting, prison visits, access to the Internet, training of new leaders, obtaining materials and religious education, church attendance is increasing in Cuba. Visitors from U.S. churches report a people who are searching for something their communist government cannot provide and who are open to and hungry for the teaching of God.

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Plan seeks to align Christian music with ideology of China’s government
    Plan seeks to align Christian music with ideology of China’s government
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • FBC Geneva brings on interim children’s minister
    FBC Geneva brings on interim children’s minister
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect 1st woman chair
    IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect 1st woman chair
    May 22, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Gay ‘marriage’ reversed by Bermuda Legislature

February 26, 2018

HAMILTON, Bermuda — The Bermuda Legislature has outlawed same-sex “marriage” only months after the Bermuda Supreme Court approved such unions

Pastor in Cuba sentenced to 1 year of house arrest

November 17, 2016

LAS TUNAS, Cuba — A civil court in Cuba sentenced the pastor of a house church to a year of

State lottery 1 of 4 possible solutions for health care system

July 22, 2016

Gov. Robert Bentley announced July 19 that he is planning to call a special session of the Alabama Legislature in

100 years after Lottie Moon’s death, IMB missionaries still risking it all

November 29, 2012

Nepalese pastors brave threats and bombs to see Christ’s name glorified in the Himalayas.  Believers in West Africa bury a

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist

Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2025 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Our Staff
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel