Posted on 09/16/2009 8:28:34 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
Havana - The Cuban authorities authorized the celebration of Evangelical services and Catholic Masses in all of the country's prisons.
Cuba Council of Churches (CIC) spokesman José Aurelio Paz told AP on Tuesday that they were informed of the decision on September 10.
He added that, on that day, CIC leaders met with Religious Affairs officials from the Communist Party, including [Religious Affairs] head Caridad Diego, and with prison officials.
"It involved an informative meeting," Paz stated.
He explained that, prior to the decision, there was "personal-level religious attention", in other words, when a prisoner or his family requested it, but "now, they can also meet, use hymnals, Bibles, and crosses during ceremonies," the spokesman explained.
"Catholics and Evangelicals were talked about. African or Jewish services will be authorized later, so all may have possibilities," he added. CIC President Reverend Miguel Hernández confirmed the news without giving further details.
No one with the Catholic Church commented on the matter. However, in July 2007, the Latin American Bishops Conference, which includes the region's bishops, had asked the government during a meeting in Cuba to allow celebrating Masses and grant greater access to prisons.
In addition, the authorities will allow chaplains to carry cameras and take pictures and document the activities, Paz commented.
In light of this permission, Evangelicals will organize their chaplaincy area under Reverend Francisco Rodés, Director of the Kairós Center in Matanzas.
Although relations with the different religions were tense during the first years of the revolutioh, an opening up to Catholics or other denominations began as time passed.
In 1998, Pope John Paul II visited the island and, shortly afterwards, Evangelicals were allowed to hold a massive service in Revolution Square.
Evangelicals in Cuba number some 600,000 believers, and the CIC consists of some 47 churches and ecumenical movements (two of these as observes) that range from the so-called "historical" denominations, such as Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists, to Greek Orthodox.
That’s mighty hispanic of them.
Faith of Our Fathers ping
I thought that wisdom from the latinas.
Interesting. Hope it happens.
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