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.c The Associated Press
HAVANA (AP) -
Ending his Cuban visit Sunday, Pope John Paul II cautioned against putting the
Roman Catholic Church on par with Santeria and other Afro-Cuban religions.
The pope excluded leading practitioners of Santeria, which mixes Catholicism
with religions brought to the Caribbean by African slaves, from a meeting Sunday
with leaders of other religions and denominations.
In comments made to Catholic bishops, the pope said the traditional beliefs
deserve respect but cannot be considered a "specific religion.''
Compared with other Latin American countries, the Cuban church has always
been weak, and Santeria rights are more widely practiced than Catholic rites.
As many as 70 percent of Cubans adhere to Afro-Cuban beliefs, according to
anthropologist Natalia Bolivar. Fewer than half of Cubans are believed to be
baptized Catholics, although most Santero orders require believers to be
baptized in the Catholic Church.
Followers make offerings to the saints or deities for help with affairs
ranging from illness to romance, or seek to divine the future.
Culture Minister Abel Prieto has said such beliefs played an important role
in helping stamp out racism in Cuba by attracting white followers into an
expression of African culture.
AP-NY-01-25-98 2004EST |