Cuba jails evangelical church leader

Cuba jails evangelical church leader

Former denominational president apparently accused of aiding illegal
emigrants
Compass Direct

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Cuban authorities jailed an evangelical pastor who
until last year served as national president of his denomination,
apparently on charges of aiding emigrants who sought to leave the
country illegally. The arrest was made Feb. 20

Relatives of the Rev. Carlos Lamelas, however, said the allegations
against him are groundless. Some sources inside the island nation
believe police targeted Lamelas for harassment because he has challenged
the Castro regime on religious rights issues.

On the morning of his arrest, five police officers entered the Lamelas
home in Havana and searched it thoroughly before taking the pastor into
custody. They also confiscated his computer, personal documents and
several pieces of office equipment.

Initially, his wife, Uramis Lamelas, did not know the whereabouts of her
husband. Later that the week, she learned where he was being held and
requested an interview with him.

A week passed before authorities granted her a 10-minute visit on Feb.
27. His wife said her husband appeared “exhausted and depressed,” and
that he had been isolated from other inmates during his confinement.

Although the couple could not speak openly because police officers stood
close by during their visit, Lamelas told his wife that officials are
evidently seeking to incriminate him for aiding emigrants seeking to
flee Cuba without government permission.

At press time, Cuban authorities had not advised Lamelas or his family
of the charges against him.

Nevertheless, those who know the Lamelas family said any allegations of
aiding emigrants are totally unfounded.

“They accuse him of getting people out of the country illegally, which
is a big lie, because to do this costs a lot of money,” said one close
family member. “If he had that kind of money, he wouldn’t be living with
hunger like he is now.”

Sources in Havana said that the apparent allegations against Lamelas are
part of a harassment campaign aimed at silencing a dynamic religious leader.

An ordained minister of the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) for more than
a decade, Lamelas planted several house churches while pastoring a local
congregation on the Isle of Youth. In 2004, while serving as president
of the denomination’s General Assembly of ministers, Lamelas moved his
family to Havana.

His troubles began soon after the move when Lamelas’s resisted what he
considered inappropriate government interference in church affairs. At
one point, he refused to sign what amounted to a loyalty pledge to the
Castro regime and challenged as unconstitutional certain controls over
church activities.

A year ago January, just two months after the Church of God annual
convention overwhelmingly endorsed Lamelas for a second term as
president, the national board of directors voted to oust him from the
position and expel him from the church.

Dozens of fellow ministers who questioned the move and expressed support
for Lamelas were also expelled, without appeal.

Cuba’s director of Religious Affairs issued a ruling almost immediately
that endorsed the disciplinary action against Lamelas, a move that
aroused suspicions of government complicity in the affair.

Deprived of income and under constant surveillance, Lamelas and his
family have depended on the kindness of friends to survive for the past
year. During that time, police twice detained him for questioning before
his arrest.

Before following his call to the ministry, Lamelas worked as a
professional scuba diver. He and his wife are the parents of two daughters.

A long-time friend who spoke to Uramis Lamelas March 1 by phone
described her as “not upset, very calm,” despite her ordeal.

Published by Keener Communications Group, April 2006
http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Apr06/Art_Apr06_10.html