THE MISSIONARY DISTRICT OF CUBA

In July of 2003 the Diocese received an email from Cuba, asking us to provide Episcopal oversight to a small group that wished to affiliate with the Reformed Episcopal Church. As none of the bishops in the USA could oversee Cuba because of the existing embargo in place, it fell to this diocese to respond, and we did.

In the fall of 2003, Bishop Charles Dorrington travelled to Cuba to investigate this interesting request. He found a small group of people trying their best to be REC. The bishop caught the vision of the group and gave them and their Pastor permission to proceed and refer to themselves as n REC Church plant.

The following spring, Bishop Charles travelled to Cuba again, this time with his wife Claudia. An inspection of the proceedings of the church group was done, and the bishop found things not at all to his liking, insomuch that he immediately dismissed the Pastor, re-formed the group and appointed another man, Ramon Torrente Batista, a former Pentecostal Pastor, to the position of Pastor. The church was named Iglesia San Marcos, consisting of the Pastor and eight people Subsequent visits to Moa proved that this decision was right, as the church grew, and is now a functioning parish of 195 people, under the able leadership of the Rev’d. William, who succeeded Ramon when he was made the Archdeacon of the Missionary District of Cuba..

Three years ago, a man named Reinaldo Blanchette, who lived in Ciego de Avila made himself known to Ramon. He was on his own as a lay preacher, having studied in the for some years in the Pentecostal Church, and was leading three house churches in and about the City.. After travelling back and forth between Moa and Ciego de Avila for a year, studying with Ramon, augmenting his previous studies, the Bishop examined him for the Office of Lay Reader and found him both knowledgeable and capable in the ministry. Reinaldo was made a Lay Reader in 2007. In 2008 the Bishop made him a Deacon with special Licence to celebrate Holy Communion. His church, San Juan Evangelista now numbers 95 souls worshipping in three locations.

Since 2006, the Bishop has been assisted in his Cuban travels by a translator named Walter Gonzales. Walter was member of the Nazarene Church, but transferred his membership to the REC in 2007 as a result of finding a deeper walk with the Lord through the help of the Book of Common Prayer and its services. In 2008 he was made a Lay Reader for the purpose of starting a house church in the City of Holguin. Like Reinaldo, Walter had also taken theological studies. Walter was also a High School teacher. He began his house group in October 2008, and by the spring of 2009 it had grown to number 45 people. In June 2009 the Bishop made Walter a Deacon with special Licence to celebrate Holy Communion.

During the 2009 Mission Trip, Charles and Claudia were introduced to a man, Juan Ezekiel, who had been a Lay Reader in the Episcopal Church of Cuba, but who had left that church ten years previously due to a growing discontent within that denomination. During these ten years, he maintained a group of worshippers, meeting in the building that had been the Episcopal Chapel in las Margaritas. Archdeacon Ramon had been approached by clergy members, and the assistant bishop of the Episcopal Church to see if we would be interested in becoming this man’s episcopal oversight. Upon examination of his abilities and training, and the agreement of his church leadership, and agreement was reached and Iglesia San Juan Apostol has become the fourth church in the Mission District with Juan Ezekiel being licenced as a Lay Reader in the REC. This church has 120 members.

Finally, Archdeacon Ramon is busy in downtown Havana, where he has moved with his wife Dalvis, renovating a three story apartment, creating a church setting on the main floor, with classrooms for Sunday School, and living quarters in the remaining space. Eight families have indicated their intention to join this church body when Ramon opens the doors for services in September on this year. This will be the only church in a fifteen block area.

This work in Cuba is a definite call of the Lord on this Diocese, and we welcome the assistance all those who would wish to support this outreach. Financial gifts may be sent to the Diocese office at 2604 Quadra Street, Victoria, B.C., V8T 4E4. Cheques should be made out to "The Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska." The Bishop and Claudia travel each year to Cuba, taking this help with them, visiting all of the Parishes, conducting many services, including Confirmation. All donations to the Diocese are Tax Deductible and will be receipted. We ask for your prayers that the sowing of the seed of the Gospel will bear great fruit for the Kingdom of God.