29-Jul-2000 -- ZENIT News Agency. The World Seen From Rome
Conclusions of Annual Meetings of Institute of Cuban Studies
MIAMI, (ZENIT.org).- During the annual meeting of the Institute of Cuban Studies, held in Miami, a Cuban academic said that by being faithful to itself and its mission, the Church in Cuba is the seed of liberty and hope in Cuban society.
"Religion does not allow for isolated individuals; it leads them to live their faith in community, with all that this implies," stated the Vatican representative, Nazario Vivero of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. He took part in the meetings to analyze "Civil Society in
Cuba."
The conclusions of the study appeared in an article by Araceli M. Cantero, in the latest issue of "The Catholic Voice," a publication of the Archdiocese of Miami.
Vivero, resident in Venezuela, pointed out that by being faithful to its mission, the Church confronts the human being with the mystery of his own existence, which calls for a personal response.
"By being itself, the Church humanizes... invites us to act with freedom and responsibility." In Cuba, this challenges every person, given the dominant anonymity, and converts them into active members of public life, Vivero stressed.
Throughout the working days, academics of U.S. and foreign universities also discussed aspects of civil society, the State, the economy, and politics. Fr. José Conrado Rodriguez of Santiago, Cuba, showed a video on pastoral life in his parish. He gave a pictorial account of the work of
the Catholic Church with youth, the elderly, and the sick.
"The Church is a fundamental component in the construction of civil society because it is a place of meeting and dialogue, organizing times for welcome," explained Miami Dade Professor Maria Cristina Herrera. "It is an important task given the lack of humanistic education in the
country," she said.
Loly Espino, economist of the University of St. Thomas, pointed out that the new economic relations in Cuba have increased the participation of civil society in rural and urban life. There is measurable data "that indicates how employment has grown without government involvement," she
said.
Several of the participants in the meetings recounted stories about their recent trips to Cuba. "Many persons have opened small businesses," FIU University's Uva de Aragon, said, citing the example of one family. "They give English lessons, are paid in dollars, and now their
children have started a video business at home and no longer work for the State."
Emory University's Juan de Avila said that since the 70s all kinds of organizations, political parties, and civic movements have emerged. In his opinion, the State "maintains a certain tolerance but on occasion acts repressively and cruelly."
Among the obstacles for the development of these groups, de Avila mentioned the lack of capital, essential for mobilization; poor co-ordination, lack of access to media, constant State vigilance and opposition. However, he added that there are positive aspects, because persons of high ethical
commitment are involved. "They cannot be intimidated, they stay in the country, and this is worth more than a million dollars." Moreover, these are groups that have gained recognition and legitimization in both Europe and the United States.
FIU's José Álvarez reviewed the emerging civil society in the provinces, through agricultural co-operatives, labor unions, and independent libraries.
Although a civil society is emerging in the provinces, "its development will take quite a bit of time," because of strong government control. In addition, isolation is more marked in rural areas, which makes the task that much more difficult.
Among the positive aspects, Álvarez pointed out that this past June, representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce met with the National Alliance of Independent Agricultural Workers. In addition, there is the partial lifting of the U.S. embargo, allowing medicines and foodstuffs to be
imported, and the permission given by the Cuban government for the owners of 25 family restaurants and farmers to visit the United States in September. | 