INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Pope Seeks Greater Freedom for Church in Cuba, End To

Published: Tue 15 Dec 2009 03:59 PM
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PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHROV #0131/01 3491559
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 151559Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1209
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0045
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0106
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 1248
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000131
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR ETRD CU VT
SUBJECT: POPE SEEKS GREATER FREEDOM FOR CHURCH IN CUBA, END TO
EMBARGO
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1. (SBU) Making a strong appeal for greater religious freedom in
Cuba, Pope Benedict XVI vigorously defended the role of the
Catholic
Church in Cuba during the December 10 presentation of
credentials by
the country's new Ambassador to the Holy See, Eduardo Delgado
Bermudez. While the Pope expressed gratitude for increased
cooperation between the Catholic Church and the GOC, he
articulated
the Holy See's desire for an eventual formal agreement allowing
the
Church complete freedom to operate "following forms similar to
those
established with other States." Holy See officials have told
Embassy Vatican previously that it is important for the Holy See
to
reemphasize its position on Cuba every so often, particularly
its
desire for greater religious freedom, but without expecting any
real
short-term gains.
2. (U) Turning to Cuban-U.S. relations, Pope Benedict told
Eduardo
Delgado Bermudez that "certain signs of openness in [Cuba's]
relations with the neighbouring United States presage new
opportunities for a mutually beneficial rapprochement." Quoting
his
predecessor, John Paul II, the Pope urged Cuba to open up to the
world and the world to open up to Cuba. Keeping to the Holy
See's
long-standing policy, the Pontiff criticized the U.S. embargo on
Cuba saying it had its biggest negative impact on the poor.
(Note:
Official remarks at Holy See credential ceremonies are exchanged
but
not read aloud at the time. End note)
3. (SBU) In remarks eerily similar to his predecessor's four
years
earlier, Ambassador Delgado lauded Fidel Castro's untiring work
to
make the world a better place, and expressed Cuba's appreciation
for
the Catholic Church's work on the island, particularly its
charitable and humanitarian efforts. The new ambassador said the
U.S. embargo "constituted an act of genocide" because it caused
hunger, sickness and poverty for the "heroic and generous" Cuban
people. Delgado effusively praised Pope Benedict's recent
encyclical letter on social issues, "Caritas in Veritate,"
implying
that the Church and the revolution promoted the same agenda.
Delgado compared the 58,000 Cubans working abroad in "aid and
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development projects" to Catholic missionaries "offering
assistance
in the remotest areas of the world."
4. (SBU) Comment. Comparing an atheist, revolution-exporting,
human
rights-violating regime's mercenaries to Catholic missionaries
is a
bit of a stretch, in our view. But the Ambassador's comments
drawing parallels between "Caritas in Veritate" and Cuban
revolutionary goals may have been a subtle cry for help to
Church
organizations like Caritas to provide assistance to the poor in
Cuba, as Cuban social services are failing. End comment.
5. (U) Biographical information: Ambassador Eduardo Delgado
Bermudez
previously served as Director General of the Cuban Foreign
Ministry.
He holds a degree in history, served as an officer in the
Revolutionary Armed Forces, and was Cuba's ambassador to Japan.
He
has lectured in history and international affairs, was an
advisor on
political and economic issues for Cuba's aid and development
outreach to Asia, Oceania and Africa, and served as section
chief at
the Ministry of Foreign Trade. He was born February 20, 1943
and is
married with one daughter.
DIAZ
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