Social-justice agency applauds President Obama’s intention to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church applauds President Barack Obama’s instructions to Secretary of State John Kerry to immediately begin discussions with Cuba with the intent of re-establishing diplomatic relations, including re-opening an embassy in Havana.

Our Methodist, ecumenical partners, and CIEMAL (Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America & the Caribbean) are linked in sharing a common Christian heritage for peace and social justice. The United Methodist Book of Resolutions has for decades acknowledged the difficulties that our churches continue to face due to the U.S. embargo and the lack of diplomatic relationships between the two countries.

The United Methodist General Conference, our highest policy-setting body, has for decades urged United Methodists to petition the president and Congress of the United States “to lift the economic embargo against Cuba and any other regulations, practices or measures enforcing the embargo law and to seek negotiations with the Cuban government for the purpose of resuming normal diplomatic relations” (Resolution #6059. “End the U.S. Embargo of Cuba,” 2012 Book of Resolutions).

The United Methodist Church has long advocated for an improved relationship between Cuba and the United States.

We encourage the Dept. of State to restore diplomatic relations, including the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. We also ask Congress to join President Obama in lifting economic sanctions on Cuba.

In this season of Advent, we welcome the hope for restoration of relationships between the peoples of the United States and Cuba.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe
General Secretary
General Board of Church & Society
The United Methodist Church