Holy Irony
Today, reports are that the Pontiff has come out to let us know that Cuba is loosening the strictures against religion, and all is right with the world, so now there should be reconciliation with the United States. His Holiness further expressed sympathy for the suffering of the Cuban people due to the economic downturn, natural disasters and, oh, yes, the economic embargo. The Holy Father did not express sympathy for the human rights protestors being beaten, essentially even as he made his remarks.
Are Cubans less than human? What is that quote? Do they not bleed? Are they not entitled to the same rights and freedoms enjoyed by those who continue to enable the regime in the misguided quest for rapprochment. There is no reconciliation with evil. You would think, he of all men would know that.
Story here.
His lowness must like cigars.
Although I am a "catholic" and at times I get angry at what I see as attacks on the Church, most of the time I'm glad.
If you look at the history of the Church not just when the Cubans were fighting their war of independence, and the Church sided with the tyrannical Spanish Empire, but also throughout the 51 year long tyranny where they have openly sided with Castro, it has been dismal. The Church has not behaved like followers of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but rather more like [as the Protestants like to call her], The Whore of Babylon, and the Pope [again, quoting the Protestants], like the Anti-Christ!
Ray, I couldn't agree more with you.
Even if the Pope's speech is not entirely satisfactory, it is more nuanced than one would think form the media reports and from your comments. It does say: there is an urgent neeed for an economy that built on solid ethical basis places at the centrer of its interests the human person and its rights, its welfare material and spiritual... And further on: all men and women, specially the young need today, as at any other time, to rediscover those values moral, human and spiritual, as for example respect for life from its conception until its natural decline,which make for a more dignified human existence.
The Pope is saying Cuban economy is not built on solid ethical basis and there is a need to recover respect for life at all its stages. That is more than any diplomat is willing to say.
Yes, but the Pope is not a diplomat, he is the head of the church and if he doesn't mince words when it comes to hot and controversial issues such as divorce, abortion, and homosexuality, I don't see why he has to be so careful when it comes to Cuba.
It's this constant tip toeing around the issue, this incessant kid glove treatment that the popes have traditionally given Castro that sends a clear message to the tyrant that he is dealing with pushovers and has nothing to fear.
100+ plus years ago the Church was not our friend and today it continues not to be our friend.
To make such a weak statement on the Anniversary of Human Rights Day is irreprehensible.
Rayarena, to tell the truth I am not sure why he has to be so careful, but I can guess: there may be certain divisions within the Church in Cuba with respect to what position would be most effective in order to reach the desired goals. So he may be getting conflicting advice. In the same line, when you deal with such a brutal dictatorship a legitimate question is: how much can I say before it causes more harm than good. Personally I would like to see him say more. As to the Church in the history of Cuba: remember Father Felix Varela. History tends to be complex.
If Benedict is getting conflicting views from those advising him, then he is in no different position than any other leader. Leaders -- good leaders -- lead, and don't wait for consensus. Instead of taking his cues from word-mincing appeasers and dictator apologists and those "social justice" types who are just generally motivated by a jealousy of American power (to the point that anyone who is against America is their friend), he should take his cues from John Paul II and how he dealt with Poland and the USSR.