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Cuba
in a "Subtle Struggle Against the Church"
Says Cardinal Ortega, Archbishop of Havana
ZENIT
- The World Seen From Rome. October 7, 2003.
MILAN, Italy, OCT. 7, 2003 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).-
The Catholic Church is still facing obstacles
in Cuba, says the archbishop of Havana.
Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega, who visited Italy
recently, spoke to Catholics in Milan about the
situation of the Church in Cuba. In this interview,
the 67-year-old cardinal pointed out the challenges
facing the Church in the island nation.
Q: What has changed in recent months in Cuba?
Cardinal Ortega: I must say little or nothing,
at least from the economic and social point of
view. Life continues as before, with the restrictions
and difficulties that are well known. Criticisms
and arguments with some foreign governments have
inflamed political life. However, I repeat, daily
life has neither improved nor worsened.
Q: Does the activity of the Church continue to
suffer limitations?
Cardinal Ortega: After the Pope's visit in January
1998, the Church found greater acceptance at the
social level. We have a very active Caritas. There
are voluntary initiatives in parishes at the service
of the poor and the sick. However, the Church's
presence continues to be very limited at the level
of education and the media.
Q: In its last document, the Catholic bishops'
conference of Cuba, which you preside over, referred
to the socialist regime's return to the ideological
struggle of the 1960s. What does this mean?
Cardinal Ortega: We have the impression that
our country is in a subtle struggle against the
Church, regarded as a private institution which
must be left aside so that it will not detract
from the strength and energy of the revolution.
The Office of Religious Affairs of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party is always hovering
over us. It is an organ of control which limits
the evangelizing action of the Church.
For the Cuban state, the Church is either an
ally or an enemy -- an ideological view that does
not take into account the Church's authentic nature
and mission in the world.
Q: Is it true that many people rediscovered the
Church after the Pope's visit?
Cardinal Ortega: Yes, there has been a rapprochement
on the part of those who in previous years had
left the Church for fear of possible repercussion
on the social level. There are also those who
are seeking new spiritual horizons.
Let's say that at the religious level there has
been growth, not spectacular, but certainly significant.
The numbers are small, but we must keep in mind
that Cuba's population continues to decrease.
Q: Are you referring to emigration?
Cardinal Ortega: Yes. It is Cuba's most serious
problem; a problem that concerns us very much.
Too many people leave or try to leave.
However, it is not only the phenomenon of illegal
emigration. As soon as someone obtains a visa
to go to a foreign country, he leaves and does
not return. This is especially true of young people.
It means that we have definitely lost hope in
our country. And this is very sad.
Q: Is dialogue with the socialist regime of Cuba
still possible?
Cardinal Ortega: As John Paul II said in his
address in Havana, only through dialogue can difficulties
be overcome. I remain faithful to this principle.
For us, the Pope is a very close presence. He
knows our situation very well, as he experienced
something similar in Poland. I don't think John
Paul II has changed his mind. This was expressed
recently by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, [Vatican]
secretary of state.
When asked if the Holy See was going to break
relations with Cuba following the capital executions
and prison sentences of many political opponents,
he replied that the Pope would not cease to promote
dialogue. "He intends to continue it, although
it is increasingly difficult."
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