Catholic Church in Cuba sinks to new low
If you thought the Catholic Church in Cuba could not sink any lower, think again. Not only is the Church defending Cardinal Jaime Ortega and his complicit partnership with the Castro dictatorship in the repression and enslavement of the Cuban people, it is now lashing out at his critics. In a vicious and scathing editorial published in Espacio Laical (Lay Spaces), a Havana church magazine, the Church has launched an attack against critics employing the same language and tactics of the brutal and ruthless Cuban regime.
It is unfortunately another hellish step down for a church that in the past few years, under the leadership of Cardinal Ortega, has turned itself into a productive tool of the repressive Castro dictatorship.
Cuba’s Catholic magazine blasts critics of Cardinal Ortega
The Catholic magazine says there’s a campaign to get rid of Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega because he’s too close to Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
Unidentified factions want to “eliminate” Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega, according to an editorial in a Havana Catholic magazine that defended the controversial cardinal furiously and accused some of his critics of having “very little political intelligence.”
Neither dissidents nor exiles have “clear and universal projects for the destiny of the nation” and some are following “agendas dictated from abroad,” according to the editorial Tuesday in Espacio Laical, (Lay Space) run by the Lay Council of the Havana Archdiocese.
The archdiocese’s own magazine, Palabra Nueva, published an editorial last week defending Ortega from harsh complaints that he has become a virtual partner in Cuban ruler Raúl Castro’s efforts to preserve the communist system while reforming the economy.
But the Espacio Laical editorial went further, all but arguing that Ortega alone has the right answers to Cuba’s problems and either harshly dismissing his critics or accusing them of some sort of inappropriate conspiracy against the prelate.
“Certain factions” have developed a plan “with the purpose of eliminating the cardinal and erasing the political line he has promoted,” the editorial alleged, without identifying the factions or providing details of the supposed plan.
“It is not just a matter of personal attacks … but of a war against an entire evangelical line that aspires to changes that are positive and serene, gradual and inclusive, orderly and peaceful,” the editorial added.
The editorial spared no praise for Ortega, saying he played an “outstanding role in the preparation of all Cuban church documents over 30 years, and interceded for the liberation of “thousands” of prisoners beyond the 125 political prisoners freed by Castro in 2010-2011.
Ortega also spoke out against abuses like the 1989 execution of Army Gen. Arnaldo Ochoa on dubious drug charges and the government’s sinking of the tugboat 13 de Marzo in which more than 30 would-be refugees drowned, it recalled.
But for Ortega “the definitive solution for Cuba will pass through a political methodology marked by encounters, dialogue and consensus,” the editorial added, although the Castro government so far has met only with Ortega and refused to meet with dissidents.
Continue reading HERE.
Cardinal Alamino feels invincible and unaccountable to say and do anything thanks to the support he got from Pope Benedict during his recent Cuba visit.
He's surely coming out of the closet in his support for the Castro brothers and I would not be surprised if soon enough he'll make a more incriminating statement in this regard.
I'm certain Monsignor Wenski will be there by his side to provide his unwavering support while Miami's catholic flock will continue living in denial and supporting the RCC.
The truth hurts, and the Cuban RCC hierarchy (starting with Ortega) is obviously defensive, to the point of shrillness. Needless to say, anything published in a church-controlled space has to have Ortega’s approval, and it’s quite probable that he either wrote this missive himself or had an active hand in drafting it. He knows that, being past official retirement age, he could be asked by the pope to step down at any time based on age alone, and he would have no recourse but to comply. Also, no doubt he’s grown to like his prominence, however notorious, and may well see himself as a great figure of historical importance, whose critics are unworthy and ungrateful wretches (you know, “those people”).
Well, this is all very much in character. After Ortega asked the regime’s goons to evict peaceful dissidents from a Havana church, violating the ancient concept of sanctuary, and later added insult to injury by dismissing them as “delinquents” of “low cultural level,” nothing should surprise us. The language of this latest screed is regime-speak in faux religious garb. Repugnant, if not blasphemous.
However, let's not be, you know, hysterical. Remember that Ortega is "on the ground," which of course justifies whatever he may say or do. Consider it a blanket dispensation, so remember to be, uh, respectful. You may get an invite to that Hemingway bar in the Cuban Interests Section in DC, just like the Cuba experts.
"Political methodology marked by encounters, dialogue and consensus." Is that like the methodology Jesus used with the moneychangers in the Temple? No? Well, times change, I guess.
asombra,
These so called Catholic "leaders" have forgotten the full meaning of the writings in the Bible or the gospel, therefore their despicable actions.
Perhaps they need to see a photo of ortega and his friend?
"Perhaps they need to see a photo of ortega and his friend?"--Lynx
Or better still, a video of Ortega and his friend. I'm sure that the Ministry of Interior has plenty of footage! LOL