José Alberto Escobar is the Delegate Superior in Cuba of the Order of Saint Augustine; in the Caribbean island, he is intimately familiar not only with the social and religious reality, but also with the functioning of its structures and the country’s capacity to address the serious needs of its inhabitants. He is a man with immense work intensity and a gaze and speech full of clarity and reflection. He is the friar who was entrusted years ago with the parish of the Immaculate Conception of Chambas in the Diocese of Ciego de Ávila (Cuba), author of the book Jóvenes inquietos: la aventura de vivir en Cristo —translated: Restless Youth: The Adventure of Living in Christ— (2007), and of academic articles on fundamentalism, conscientious objection, or the right to religious freedom. We talked with him about the country where he carries out his missionary work and human and spiritual service.
What is the general situation in Cuba like, and how do the Augustinians working there experience it?
Cuba is going through one of the greatest crises in its recent history. It’s not just about the economy and the shortages of medicines, food, and all kinds of resources; there is also an increasing disaffection with this political system, which feels imposed, failed, and disconnected from the suffering of the population. The government blames the US blockade as the origin of the situation; however, this political situation does not explain or justify the priorities of this Marxist communist ideological system. The ideologization in all areas of society remains, the desire to control, corruption, and the privileges of a few who have much, such as political leaders, high-ranking military officials, well-positioned positions in the tourism sector, or those who are taking advantage of enrichment through imports, while others receive salaries and pensions that are not enough to live on, are becoming increasingly evident.
How can this context be qualified?
One can speak of an “anthropological, economic, and social disaster.” It’s not just the lack of production in the economy, but the inability to establish a social and political system that meets the basic needs of Cubans. There is no opportunity to address the issue of citizens’ freedom and their right to exercise basic rights. A single party is maintained by force without the possibility of dissent. There is fear of repression. All of this has led to a massive exodus to the United States, Spain, or any place that allows people to live away from so much hardship. Some who stay receive help from their relatives abroad, and those who don’t receive that help are increasingly plunged into poverty that keeps growing without cease. There is no prospect of change. It is known that a deep and radical change, of system, is necessary, but it is not known how or when it will happen.
This is the reality we Augustinians live in today. Since our “return” to Cuba in 2006, we made a clear choice to serve the Church in whatever our pastors asked of us. This mission promoted by the General Curia has been made possible thanks to the generosity of many brothers who have voluntarily been assigned from countries all over the world. Sometimes the periods have been for just a few years, but there have been brothers who have exceeded ten years of generous service. Currently, the Delegation depends on the Province of San Juan de Sahagún, and we are integrated into the OALA.
Has it been complicated to carry out the work of the Order in Cuba?
Since 2008 to 2024, there were three houses on the Island; currently, we are in Havana and in Ciego de Ávila, which is a province in the center of the Island. At this moment, we are five brothers. Our work is to attend to the parishes that have been entrusted to us and also to collaborate at the Major Seminary and the P. Félix Varela Institute in Havana. In Cuba, there is a great shortage of priests, with almost all of them in some dioceses coming from outside. In the one I am in, there are eight priests and only one is Cuban and already almost eighty years old. Our work is typical of a parish priest with very few material resources and very elderly parishioners. We are very close to the people and there is a lot of work to be done. Being here is an achievement, being able to maintain and strengthen faith in this reality is our way of serving. We have assumed that we must coexist with this political system and this order of things, but without losing our coherence of life and being by the side of those who suffer in all kinds of situations. Our life, both personal and communal, is very simple and requires a missionary spirit to undertake this task and be willing to make it possible by renouncing many things that seem essential in other places. God gives us a lot of peace and strength.
What are your impressions of everyday life in the country?
Daily life is very different if you are in a city like Havana, Santiago, Camagüey, or if you live in more rural areas. What is widespread is that finding the necessary living conditions for subsistence is very difficult and requires a lot of energy and dedication to have the most essential things, to keep your job, and to support your family. This creates a lot of distress for the vast majority. Because it is also perceived how there are those who live detached from this order of things. They are usually people who receive money from abroad, foreign currency. There are many ways to live in Cuba. The standard of living in hotels and the tourist circuit is not the same as living on a salary in national currency. Those who do not have access to the dollar or euro that comes through aid or donations cannot access the resources that are acquired in stores that only sell in foreign currencies.
There has been and continues to be an increasing mass exodus of people. It is estimated that in two years, three million Cubans have left. Their support for family members sustains them and allows them to live differently. Elderly people, widows, the sick, the disabled, those who have no relatives abroad live on insufficient pensions or salaries. Inflation is extremely high, and the lack of domestic production is a constant.
What is usually the main concern of a Cuban?
The greatest immediate concern is usually finding food, but the most terrifying fear is falling ill and not having access to medicine or a minimally decent healthcare system. Having to go to a hospital, accompany a sick person, and find all the resources for them to be attended to is a drama. It is very common to have to give doctors and nurses food and other things to be attended to with diligence and resources. The drama and consequences of the lack of medications is something difficult to imagine. They are lacking from basic painkillers to any other treatment of any kind. Alongside this, there are gestures of great humanity when you give what you need and share a pill or two with someone who needs it.
We live with the awareness that there are a large number of victims that no one accounts for. False and erroneous diagnoses, insufficient investment in the healthcare system, and constant premature deaths that could be avoided. There is a lot of very deep and repressed suffering, and obviously also sadness.
Don’t public services alleviate this situation?
The public sector is obsolete and abandoned. The extremely poor quality of transportation, the sharp decline in training and education, the lack of fuel sales or the high cost of gas, the scheduled power cuts, and a long etcetera, are common occurrences in most of the country. This makes life very complicated and the despair very great. There are many families who have seen someone leave and whom they haven’t seen in years. The population is very aged.
In this list of calamities, there is one that is not usually brought to light, and that is the fear of dissenting against the people responsible for this system. There is fear and a lack of freedom. Society is militarized, even if it is not evident. The single party is responsible for wanting to oversee and control all social sectors and all aspects of citizens’ lives. Since 2021, the lack of majority social support for this political system has been evident, but power is exercised effectively, and it is difficult to break that fear, as it has created a mentality and caused anthropological damage for a long time. Consciousnesses have been controlled and shaped, and the work for freedom is arduous.
It seems that the future is not simple.
Regarding the future of the country, it is evident that this system of government and politics that calls itself a true democracy has been without a solution for a long time. It is not known when or how it will take shape, but the future involves making Cuba a realm of social coexistence free from totalitarianism and enabling the reconciliation of Cubans in the diaspora and those who remain here. Similarly, this process of reconciliation and work to build a dignified future will be arduous and will involve acknowledging responsibilities.
The future of our Church involves being close to those who are the current victims of this situation. The Church prays and works to be a seed of truth and justice. There are examples of brave prophecy among us, and, in my opinion, there should be more among our ecclesiastical leaders. There is a clear positioning of consecrated life close to the poorest and also the persecuted.
What is the faith of Cubans like, the context in which the Church lives?
The faith of our people, in a large number of individuals, is sincere, heartfelt, and spontaneous. There have been many years of silent repression, and it is often lived behind closed doors. The authorities try to give the impression of religious freedom, but always under the control of religious affairs officials. There is broad freedom of worship within the confines of temples or homes, but it is intended to remain there and not address issues of social justice. Here, the distinction between practicing politics and the Social Doctrine of the Church is often blurred. Very few people declare themselves atheists or indifferent. The face of God for most people is not that of Jesus Christ, but they do feel a basic, affective, natural spirituality. There is a lot of religious syncretism and a lot of misinformation or ignorance about religion. We must differentiate between religious culture, which is scarce, and spirituality, which I believe is genuine and predominant. It is very difficult to access printed publications or religious outreach material. This is compounded by the fact that the media on television, radio, and print are only those permitted by the government. This has taken a toll on people’s education and their awareness.
Is Catholicism still the majority creed?
The faith of the Catholic Church is predominant when there are expressions of faith in popular religiosity such as pilgrimages, processions, or gatherings like the Pope’s visit. Devotion to Mary has been key in the history of the Catholic Church in Cuba. Our Lady of Charity has catalyzed the spirituality of our people. Through her, many have come to Jesus Christ.
Like our people, the Church here is fragile. It has suffered a lot and continuously. It hasn’t been long since the coercion and discrimination in schools and workplaces for declaring oneself a Christian. Our people are mostly older, predominantly women. Although we would like there to be more involvement in pastoral care as committed agents, it must be recognized that here, taking on an ecclesial responsibility, no matter how small, is very commendable. Regarding the synodal path, I believe that the Church in Cuba has been walking for many years in the spirit of participation, communion, and mission as the People of God. A sign of this is the role of women in responsibilities, and of laypeople, pastoral councils, etc. On the other hand, there is a curious phenomenon, which is the importance given and the rigidity of some “clerical forms” among ordained ministers and even more so among numerous laypeople. In a society where religion has been publicly discredited or prohibited, public expressions are very important and sometimes exaggerated.
Is there anything to say about religious vocations?
Regarding vocational processes, it must be said that they are very slow, although young people sometimes wish to quickly skip stages. Often, the restlessness for a faith that is suddenly discovered leads to confusion with a genuine restlessness for consecrated life. We need to provide a lot of support, and we lack teams of trainers or suitable environments for the formation of these young people who feel a calling. When traveling abroad to seek better training, there is a risk of uprooting from the local church in Cuba and taking root outside of this ecclesial reality. I believe that coordination between trainers or mentors and those of us who remain here during this formation period is very important. Sometimes this has not received much attention.
What aspects are the most relevant to social life in Cuba and the importance of the Augustinians there?
I will answer the second part of the question. Here we are loved and valued, they ask us not to leave or abandon them. There is a hunger for God in this town, and we are intended to be priests, guides of interiority, seekers of God. As Augustinians, there is an immense task because the Church needs men and women in the style of Saint Augustine who can bring the richness and gifts of our charism. Our pastors need us, and it is up to us to discover and live that here God offers us an opportunity to live our charism and make it flourish as the gift it is. There are so many needs that what becomes evident is that often our availability to God and the Church is subordinated to matters that are not the service to God and the Church. Alongside this, we must recognize the immense generosity of the Order of Saint Augustine towards this mission, the institutional support, and the sustenance for the lives of the brothers and so many pastoral initiatives and projects. Without the support of the brothers from other jurisdictions, this mission would be impossible. Without prayer and moral support, it would be impossible. We are aware and our gratitude is sincere. It is an invitation to the brothers of the circumscriptions that, if they feel called to a mission in need of religious, this Delegation needs them.
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