Pablo Odén Marichal Rodríguez

A prominent ecumenical leader since his youth and retired pastor of the Episcopal Church of Cuba. Master's degree in Theology. Professor at the Evangelical Seminary of Theology, Matanzas.

He was always a beacon for many, emitting his light through his work as a priest, professor, Rector of the Seminary of Theology of Matanzas, President of the Council of Churches of Cuba, Executive of the Conference of Churches of the Caribbean, Deputy, founder and first coordinator of the Cuban Interreligious Platform.

Marichal was always faithful and consistent with his principles, which he defended with courage and clarity, no matter how complex and dangerous the scenarios in which he had to present himself were. He was defined by versatile and profound thinking. His dedication to the church and to his homeland constituted an indelible mark of his character. Always humble and attached to his people, with a human and pastoral spirit.

He developed an ecumenical vocation of total dedication and honesty, performing different responsibilities in religious organizations such as the Christian Student Movement, the Christian Conference of the Caribbean and the Council of Churches of Cuba. He was a deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power for the municipality of Colón, province of Matanzas, ratified on April 18, 2018 for the IX Legislature.

He was active in the Youth of the Orthodox Party.

Founder of the Christian Student Movement of Cuba.

Coordinator for Cuba of the Conference of Churches of the Caribbean.

Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Province of the Caribbean.

Rector of the Evangelical Seminary of Theology.

Member of the Christian Movement for Peace.

Coordinator of the Cuban Pastoral Platform.

President and Executive Secretary of the Council of Churches of Cuba from 1996 to 2000, a period in which he carried out countless actions for the return of Elián González to the Homeland, defending the dignity of a child and his family.

In 1999 with the motto "Love, Peace, Unity", he organized and actively participated in the First Cuban Evangelical Celebration, one of his greatest achievements, and the largest evangelical event held after 1959, as through it it was possible to set aside the small differences between the various beliefs and thus unite the majority of Protestant denominations to together and in harmony celebrate the love, faith and hope they had in common.

His contributions to the Cuban church and society are invaluable and part of the very history of struggles and life of our people. His thought, pastoral, theological and political, make him an indispensable thinker of our time. For the Cuban ecumenical movement, he set a standard with his performance at the First Cuban Evangelical Celebration, which under the motto: "Peace, Love and Unity, Jesus Christ for all and for everyone" was developed throughout our country in the year 1999.

He taught several generations of students as a professor at the Evangelical Seminary of Matanzas. He was a promoter of dialogue among all religions on the basis of respect for diversity, being the first coordinator of the Cuban Interreligious Platform, from which he organized concrete activities for the return together with their families and people of the Five Heroes, all of this with total coherence between his religious faith and his revolutionary commitment.

He was a Deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power, ratified on April 18, 2018 at the Constitutive Session of the IX Legislature, held at the Palace of Conventions in Havana, fulfilling different missions in the Commission on International Relations. As a deputy he presided over the Parliamentary Friendship Group Cuba-Great Britain and was part of delegations on visits to several countries.

Marichal was present at all the meetings that since 1984 the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro "held with ecumenical leaders and leaders of churches from the Protestant and evangelical sector", and he notes that "for his immense work in favor of the unity of our people and his genuine ecumenical practice he received several recognitions" the official note reports.

Marichal passed away at age 81 and is survived by his wife Laura and three children Greter, Rosa Elena and Odén Carlos