Posted on 01/03/2012 1:07:25 PM PST by marshmallow
VATICAN CITY – This week’s 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s excommunication of Cuban leader Fidel Castro coincides with preparations for a visit to the Communist-ruled island by the current pontiff, Benedict XVI.
Castro was excommunicated a month and a day after his Dec. 2, 1961, speech proclaiming himself a Marxist-Leninist and announcing his plans to lead Cuba to communism.
John XXIII supported that measure in the 1949 decree of Pope Pius XII, which established the penalty of excommunication for anyone spreading communism.
The revolution headed by Castro had already proclaimed itself “socialist,” and later the state declared itself to be “atheist” up until 1992 when that designation was replaced in the Cuban Constitution by the word “secular.”
Benedict XVI will travel in March to Mexico and Cuba on his second visit to Latin America after a 2007 excursion to Brazil.
President Raul Castro, Fidel’s younger brother, said a few weeks ago that Cuba would welcome Benedict XVI with “affection and respect” on a visit coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the finding of the image of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, the island’s patron saint.
Although the details of the pontiff’s agenda are not yet known, it can be assumed that one of the central events will take place at the sanctuary where the image of the saint is housed in El Cobre, in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba. The Virgin Mary’s image there was honored personally by Pope John Paul II on Jan. 24, 1998, during his visit to the communist-ruled island.
There has been no official word that the pope will meet with Fidel Castro, whose excommunication has never been lifted.
(Excerpt) Read more at laht.com ...
The last time the Pope went to Cuba, he got pre-emted by a Lewinsky. Seems like the press up and took off right in the middle of things.
‘1949 decree of Pope Pius XII, which established the penalty of excommunication for anyone spreading communism’
As a Roman Catholic I certainly would like John Kerry,99% of the Kennedy’s,quite a few bishops and priests and Nancy Pelosi excommunicated.
They are communist in everything but name only.
Maybe the Pope is giving last rites to Fidel. We can only hope.
Winner winner chicken diner, or he wants a final confession, didn't Teddy Kennedy meet with the Pontif before he passed?
Unfortunately, I don’t think they ever excommunicated Fat Teddy. In any case, I doubt that he ever repented.
Some excommunications can be lifted by the local bishop, but there are certain excommunications reserved to the Pope. Excommunications can be lifted only if the person repents and does whatever penance is required. If it’s a public sin (such as espousing Communism or some heresy), the person usually has to publicly reject it.
I think this is probably just a visit from the Pope, since Fidel is clearly on the way out and Raul has been trying to get Cuba back on the civilized map for some time now. But who knows? Death-bed conversion, release all the political prisoners?
Maybe the Pope will ask the Castro Brothers to release Alan Gross who has just spent his 3rd New Year in a Cuban jail. If Presidnet Obama doesn’t get Alan Gross released then perhaps the Pope can.
Alan’s wife Judy Gross of Potomac, Maryland is waiting for Alan to come home.
How repressive is Cuba to the Church? Does it allow them to openly worship and proclaim the gospel? If not, I don’t see why a Pope would agree to such a visit. If they do, perhaps there is hope for the nation as many great things can come from those whom God chooses to touch.
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