Posted On 2015-09-11 In Church - Francis - Movements

Cardinal Ortega: “The Pope Will Find A Cuba in Growing Transformation”

CUBA, by “Pope Francis in Cuba,” official page for Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba and AICA • 20150714_193128

Within a few weeks of Pope Francis’ arrival in Cuba, Cuban television aired, on prime-time, an interview with the archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino. During the interview with author/singer and interviewer, Amaury Pérez Vidal, the cardinal expressed that “ Pope Francis will find a Cuba in growing transformation.”

The cardinal added that behind the announcement of the diplomatic “thawing” between Cuba and the USA this passed December 17, 2014, Cuba is experiencing an historic moment in a unique process.”

Cardinal Ortega stressed that the Pope arrives on the island at the moment in which there are already two respective embassies in both countries (Cuba and the USA), and he underlined that his possibilty of coming to Cuba and then traveling to the USA offers him an opportunity to demonstrate that he wants these relationships to advance.”

Likewise he reminded of the “very special intervention” on the Argentinean Pontiff’s behalf for achieving the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which had been severed for 54 years.

The Archbishop of Havana also revealed that during the interview he had with the North American Secretary of State, John Kerry, – during the reopening ceremony of the North American Embassy in Havana this passed August 14th – Kerry told him that he hoped that Pope Fancis would “always encourage the President (Raúl Castro) and the Cuban government to continue this path for bettering bilateral relations.” In this sense, Cardinal Ortega, considered that….. that “is also the feeling of the Cuban government.”

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An important book

Cardinal Ortega recalled the importance of the publication of the book “Fidel and Religion,” which resulted in a series of interviews by Fr. Frei Betto with the leader of the Cuban revolution in 1985. In the Cardinal’s words, this text demonstrated the interest of the Cuban people in the Catholic religion and would then be reflected in the welcome to be offered to both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. “The publication of the book ‘Fidel and Religion,’ in which Fidel expressed himself so well about John Paul II, made the Cuban people show the great interest they have in the Catholic religion. It was so much so that more than one million copies were printed.”

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Pardon to prisoners during the papal visit

Also during the interview, the archbishop referred to political prisoners saying: “That began with those women, wives of the prisoners, mothers of some of the prisoners, who would dress in white and attend Mass every Sunday in St. Rita’s Church. I communicated with the president and he told me to listen to them,” he said, referring to his position as mediator in the realeasing from prison some 130 prisoners between 2010 and 2013, the majority of whom were exiled to Spain.

He likewise said that during this time he received several letters asking for his mediation with the government of Raúl Castro, asking for the liberation of persons incarcerated in Cuba for economic and common wrongdoings.

He said they are letters from persons expecting “a pardon, an amnesty with the Pope’s visit,” but he said he does not know “if there will be a pardon or not, perhaps there may be, this is something which depends on “ the Cuban state.

Lastly, Cardinal Ortega highlighted that for Pope Francis’ visit there is a “popular atmosphere” which did not exist with either of the previous visits by John Paul II in 1998 and Benedict XVI in 2012, because it has been broadcast by communication media of the island. For the first time they have aired his pronouncements, his messages and also his most recent encyclical letters. The Holy Father will visit Cuba from the 19th to the 22nd of September 2015.

The Cathedral of Havana – being renovated

Photo above: National Shrine of the Virgen del Cobre (Foto: Zillekens)

Original Spanish: Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA
 

 

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