There is optimism for the future of the church on Cuba, particularly with the renewal of relations between the island and the U.S..
Cuba
Unique Challenges for Vatican Diplomacy
The Vatican engages in bilateral diplomacy to secure the freedom of the Catholic Church to be itself in the countries with which the Holy See has, or wishes to have, diplomatic relations.
The Lessons of 2014
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, In the last issue of The Tablet for 2014, the questions are always posed to me to look back on the year which has just passed and emphasize the lessons which, perhaps, we have learned. Like all years, this past year has contained challenges and surprises, joys […]
Vatican Played Key Role in Mending US-Cuban Relations
By Patricia Zapor WASHINGTON (CNS) – A not-insignificant part of the diplomatic coup pulled off by the White House and Cuban leaders Dec. 17 was that hardly anyone knew they had been working toward a reset in relations between the two neighbors and long-time antagonists. That the two nations had been negotiating in secret for […]
NET-TV Original Documentary – Cuba: The Island of Our Lady
NET-TV is proud to present an original feature-length documentary, Cuba: The Island of Our Lady. When Pope Benedict XVI visited Cuba, a team of Catholic documentarists from NET-TV, consisting of a journalist, a producer and a priest, followed him into the island nation that has been officially closed off to American journalists for over half-a-century. […]
Reporter’s Notebook From Cuba
by Antonina Zielinska After nearly two months of phone calls, paperwork, and tests of resilience, Msgr. Kieran Harrington, diocesan vicar for communications; Will Fonseca, producer and cameraman for NET-TV; and I, landed in Cuba as journalists to cover the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI on March 23. Despite hours and hours of preparation we […]
It’s a Deal! – Cuba Grants Pope’s Wish to Make Good Friday a National Holiday
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican spokesman praised Cuba’s decision to accept Pope Benedict XVI’s request to make Good Friday a national holiday this year. “It is certainly a very positive sign,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said April 1. Good Friday, the commemoration of Jesus’ passion and death, falls […]
Visit to Cuba Was More Complicated Than JP II’s
by Wallice J. de la Vega SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (CNS) – In many respects, the coordination of Pope Benedict XVI’s papal visit to Cuba relied on the experience from the 1998 visit of his predecessor, Blessed John Paul II. Blessed John Paul visited four cities in five days. Although Pope Benedict visited two cities […]
Cuban-Americans Happy To Be Able to Go Home
by Tom Tracy SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (CNS) – When the Miami Air charter plane touched the ground March 26, applause and shouts of “Thanks be to God” rang out in the cabin, and Julia Malcolm had tears on her face. It was Malcolm’s first time back in Cuba since leaving 51 years ago. “I […]
Pope Visits Shrine to The Patroness of Cuba
EL COBRE, Cuba (CNS) – Entrusting people to Mary’s maternal care is a normal Catholic practice, but when Pope Benedict XVI prayed that Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre would wrap her golden mantle around the people of Cuba, it was particularly poignant. For 400 years, Cubans – believers and nonbelievers alike – have […]