Archbishop of Havana meets with Ladies in White, promises his support

Could relations be about to change between the Catholic Church in Cuba and the Castro regime?

Up until now — especially under the leadership of Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino — the Catholic Church has been a staunch supporter of the Castro dictatorship.

But the new head of the Cuban Catholic Church has taken some steps that his predecessor would have never taken.

Loosely translated from Marti Noticias:

Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White reports that they met with Monsignor Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, Archbishop of Havana, and received his blessing, along with promises of support.

This surprising and unprecedented meeting took place on Wednesday February 15.

Berta Soler other members of the Ladies in White met with the Archbishop for more than an hour and briefed him on the repression they have been enduring, and on the constant violation of their right to attend church services.

According to Berta Soler and another Lady in White, María Cristina Labrada, the Archbishop — who is the highest authority in the Cuban Catholic Church — was very receptive to their complaints.

“He heard what we had to say, and he knows what is going on,” said Labrada, adding that the Archbishop blessed them and offered a prayer for them “so that we could keep moving forward.”

Berta Soler also revealed that authorities of the Catholic Church “have been asking the government to talk with the opposition, but the government has refused to respond.”

The Ladies in White gave the Archbishop photographic and video proof of the beatings and arrests they have been enduring.

Archbishop García Rodríguez asked Berta Soler to give him the names of the State Security agents who have threatened the Ladies in White, telling them they will never again be able to go to Mass or receive communion.

Since March 2016, the Ladies in White have been prevented from attending church.