2012 saw a dramatic increase in violations of religious freedoms in Cuba, says Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The Cuban government has reportedly cracked down on religious organisations and believers in the last year. CSW documented 120 reported cases of religious freedom in 2012, up from a total of 30 in 2011. The number does not include those arrested and detained during Pope Benedict XVI's visit last March - estimated at 200. Church leaders across Cuba reported ongoing violations in the final weeks of December. An unregistered Protestant church affiliated with the Apostolic Movement in Camaguey was threatened with demolition on 29 December. The following day, nine women affiliated with the Ladies in White movement in Holguin were arrested in the early hours of the morning and held in prison until Sunday morning Mass had ended. The crackdown has affected mainly Roman Catholic churches, but other denominations have also been hit.
Pray: that the Lord will protect and bless His church and people. (Gal.5:1)