Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Fides has just received a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Cuba dated 26 May 2004 (Year of the Family in Cuba). Here is our English translation of the statement:
Concerned by recent economic and political measures announced by the government of the United States of America which strike and threaten the present and the future of our country, and considering measures adopted by the Cuban government to counter or lessen the effect of the above mentioned measures, we Bishops of Cuba, in the face of the concern and anxiety generated by these facts in our country state:
1. We reaffirm our position against economic sanctions called embargo in the United States and block in Cuba. As we said in 1969, in a letter to our priests and faithful: “we denounce this unjust situation of embargo which adds unnecessary suffering and renders development even more difficult. We appeal to the conscience of those in condition to do so, to take decisive and effective action to obtain the suspension of these measures” (Cuban Bishops’ Conference ‘Statement to our priests and faithful’ 10 April 1969).
In 1992, because of the approval of the Torricelli Law and considering the effects of that law, the Bishops of Cuba recognised that the difficulties were not caused only by the north American embargo as our national authorities said on many occasions, but rather to various national and international factors at the basis of the present crisis, and at the same time we repeat our rejection of anything that might increase the enormous economic problems afflicting Cuba. (Statement by Catholic Bishops of Cuba in the face of a tightening of economic restrictions on our country. 3 October 1992).
2. Cuban families, places of reconciliation and dialogue in our reality, suffer particularly because in addition to present difficulties and hardship recognised by everyone, new privations and burdens worsen their already painful situation and aggravate separation between those who live in Cuba and in the United States.
And this at a time when we need peace, dialogue, reconciliation, unity and hope to give new life to the institution of the family and to put the good of this family above all political or ideological prejudices. We are sad to see that the measures announced both by the United States and the Cuban government strike directly or indirectly the poorest families in our country.
3. We consider it unacceptable that the future of Cuba be planned on a basis of exclusion and even less on interventions conceived by a foreign government. We do not speak of separating ourselves from the international community whose closeness and friendship we appreciate, we refer rather to whatever produces an atmosphere of anxiety and division, which underlines efforts for reconciliation so necessary for Cubans. As Bishops and Cubans we want our country to be, as Father Félix Varela wished, “an island in politics and in geography”. Today more than ever opportune is the teaching of Pope John Paul II who told us: “Do not look outside for something you can find inside. Do not expect others to do what you can do and must do. Do not wait until tomorrow to build a new society where the most noble dreams are not frustrated and where you can be the protagonists of your history" (John Paul II. Homily in Camagüey. 23 January 1998).
4. We reaffirm that the solution to the situation of our nation must pass by way of a process of dialogue among Cubans, conciliation and research “with all and for the good of all”, and viable paths for building a more just and more fraternal society without exclusions. “This is why we urge all Cubans for the good of Cuba, to overcome the temptation to override others and to search through responsible dialogue among everyone the solution of our conflicts”( No. 51). Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba; The Social Presence of the Church, theological-pastoral Instruction, 8 September 2003).
Urged on by the love of Christ who forgives, trusts, hopes and endures, committed as Bishops for the present and the future of Cuba, we encourage all who influence or try to influence the destiny of Cuba, at home and abroad, Christians or non Christians, to show their good will, solely with respectful dialogue and the application of measures to guarantee reconciliation and peace among Cubans.”
The statement is signed by the following Cuban Bishops: Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino, Archbishop of Habana; Archbishop Pedro Meurice Estíu, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba; Bishop José Siro González Bacallao, Bishop of Pinar del Río; Bishop Emilio Aranguren Echeverría, Bishop of Cienfuegos; Bishop Dionisio García Ibañez, Bishop of Bayamo-Manzanillo. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 2/7/2004 - Righe 59; Parole 781)
