Associated Press.
The Miami
Herald, August 7, 2002.
HAVANA - A Roman Catholic bishop said Wednesday that young Cubans were
pressured to stay in Canada during Pope John Paul II's visit there last month.
"Never before has a church delegation been wrapped up in something
similar," said Bishop Carlos Baladron, president of the youth commission of
Cuba's Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"From our first days in Canada there were notable pressures by some
people living there ... exhorting the Cubans not to return to their country,"
Baladron said in a statement sent to international news organizations.
Of 200 people who traveled to Canada with the Cuban church delegation, 23
stayed behind, the bishop said. Baladron, bishop from Cuba's eastern province of
Guantanamo, headed the delegation.
The prelate said several dozen young people from other countries also stayed
behind in Canada during the World Youth Day encounter with the pontiff in
Toronto.
Baladron said news coverage of the Cubans' defection "indicates that a
religious event such as this ... can be taken advantage of by those with
determined politic interests."
The Cuban delegation left for Canada on July 18 and returned Aug. 2. It was
the first time that the communist government had authorized such a large group
to travel abroad for a Roman Catholic gathering.
Related stories
Cubans
say defection was tough decision / The Miami Herald
Come
for the Pope. Stay for the freedom / National Post
Cuban
bishop says no repression against in Church in Cuba, despite defections / Yahoo!
Cubans
seek asylum in Canada after Pope's visit / CNSNews.com
Secrecy key to
Cubans' rescue / Toronto Sun |