Cuba cardinal gives TV address about papal visit
HAVANA — Cuban authorities granted Havana’s Roman Catholic cardinal a rare chance to address the nation Tuesday night on state-controlled television about the imminent arrival of Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega said Benedict was coming to Cuba as a pilgrim to honor the 400th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, the patron of Cuba. Church officials have taken the iconic representation of the Virgin across the island recently to large crowds of worshippers.
“There was great interest in this pilgrimage because the pope is determined to revive the faith in countries that were Christianized before but need a new evangelization, and he saw in this mission a true example of what it is to revive the faith of a people,” said Ortega.
Ortega’s message was broadcast Tuesday night on Cubavision. Another church address is planned for next week by the archbishop of the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, the first stop in Benedict’s March 26-28 visit.
Catholic leaders have long sought more access to the airwaves on this Communist-run island, including asking for its own radio station, and a church spokesman said he hoped the broadcasts were a sign of things to come.
“We hope this continues at the necessary moments even after the visit of the pope,” spokesman Orlando Marquez told The Associated Press in a written statement.
“There is something unique in a message that comes directly from the church, from the pastors. That is what the faithful want, and the people too,” he said.
Cuba’s government exerts tight control over all TV and radio broadcasting and considers the airwaves a matter of national strategic concern.