Varadero, August 29 (RHC)-- Cuban President Raul Castro has sent a message of condolences to the family of Reverend Sergio Arce Martinez, Pastor Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church Reformed in Cuba (IPRC), who passed away on August 25th at the age of 91. 

The letter, addressed to Nacyra Gomez, widow and children, Reinerio and Dora Arce Valentín, was read at a memorial service made at the Presbyterian Church (IPR) Dora Valentine, of Varadero, 140 kilometers east of Havana. 

During the service, Reverend Sergio Arce was praised as a religious leader "known in Cuba and around the world for his theological work." 

Messages of condolences were also sent from the Office of Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Cuban parliament, where Arce Martínez was a member for three terms between 1998 and 2008. 

Reverend Sergio Arce was a board member of the Council of Churches of Cuba and director of its Center for Studies, as well as the author of numerous books, articles and essays. 

He also held various positions in the Church and the Christian Conference for Peace, promoting meetings of solidarity with Cuba and Latin America.