WCC Urges US to Normalize Relations with Cuba; Says Blockade Against a Nation Hurts Its People

At a meeting held last week in Busan, South Korea, the World Council of Churches (WCC) -- which represents some 560 million Christians -- adopted a resolution urging the United States to lift its embargo on Cuba and to normalize relations with the communist Caribbean nation, the Ecumenical News website reports today (November 10, 2013).

The WCC declared: "We believe that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against any country causes enormous pain to its people, especially the poor and vulnerable. In this context, the delegates of the 10th Assembly of the WCC urge the U.S. government to lift the economic sanctions against Cuba and to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba."

The Geneva-based grouping represents mainly Anglican, Orthodox, and Protestant churches, and although the Roman Catholic Church is not a member, it serves on WCC committees and cooperates with it in many spheres.

In the resolution passed on November 7 by the Assembly -- the highest governing body of the WCC -- it noted that relations between the United States and Cuba have been strained by tensions and confrontations since the Cuban Revolution of 1959.