Say but a word and Cuba will be saved

As almost everyone knows, His Holiness John Paul II is about to visit the islandprison of Cuba, whose people have been subjugated by an implacable Communist regime for nearly forty years. The visit-the fruit of almost two decades of Vatican diplomatic initiatives-affords the Pope an opportunity to provide spiritual sustenance to millions of Catholics oppressed by the Communist dictatorship.

Despite his persistent anti-Catholicism and his reluctance to facilitate the papal visit, Castro will seek to profit from the event to prolong his decrepit regime by giving the world the false impression that he is moderating his militant atheism and tyrannical rule.

To alert public opinion to this imminent danger, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) presents these considerations regarding the papal visit in an effort to enlighten those who struggle to preserve and strengthen the vestiges of Christian civilization in our nation and restore the Christian birthright of the Cuban people. The TFP is a civic society of Catholic inspiration that follows the traditional teaching of the papal magisterium and is inspired by the works and life of the outstanding contemporary Catholic thinker Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira.*

Castro's "moderation" is still unproven

Unfortunately, certain declarations by some Vatican prelates and Cuban bishops, trumpeted by the media, have contributed to creating the impression that religious freedom in Cuba is improving as a result of moderation by the Castro regime.

Objective analysis reveals little if any basis for such optimism. Signs of a move toward moderation are tenuous and questionable. Nevertheless, Castro's propagandists and the bishops promoting rapprochement with his Red regime are celebrating the dawn of a new convergence in chorus. This convergence, however, is more evident in the bishops' desires than in reality and accordingly has the appearance of capitulation.

The Archbishop of Havana, His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Ortega, for instance, recently referred to a "process of improvement in relations [between the Church and the regime]" aimed at "serving the Church and the people of Cuba better." In his remarks, made after a visit with Castro to prepare the papal visit, Cardinal Ortega went so far as to "recognize the existence" of "a constantly growing process of normalization of relations, mindful that the revolution was never moved by anti-religious sentiment" (Diario Las Americas, 12/21/97).

What are we to make of Cardinal Ortega's statement when we consider that there are but two to three hundred priests on the island, a number that has not changed since Castro expelled hundreds of clergymen decades ago, without allowing their replacement?? Doesn't this clearly show the antireligious spirit of the Communist tyrant'? Or could it be that the bishops have willingly submitted to this limitation? Have they become so used to it that they now consider it normal?

With a religious policy that alternates between conciliatory gestures and acts of repression, the atheistic regime has obviously become accustomed to imposing its wishes. On the other hand, Catholics have become accustomed to demanding little and to being easily satisfied. They have become resigned to the most unjust and violent restrictions on the practice of their faith.

The Castro regime expects the Church to mutilate its sacred doctrine by silencing any teachings that contradict the philosophy and goals of Communism

Hoping to win the good will of the Marxist rulers, the Cuban bishops frequently abstain from criticizing their actions, remaining silent about the Church's eminently anti-collectivist socioeconomic doctrine. Consequently, basic principles of Christian civilization, such as the right to private property, free enterprise, and the limited role of the State-essential requisites for the existence of genuine freedom-are being forgotten by Catholics.

As CNN reported on December 13, 1997, Church leaders have avoided criticizing the Communist system in Cuba because of Castro's "gestures of good will." These leaders have emphasized instead the "pastoral" nature of the papal visit-as if on a pastoral level the Church has nothing to say against collectivism and tyranny.

According to the same report, Bishop Jose Ciro Gonzalez, of Pinar del Rio, wrote in the Catholic review Vitral: "We shall never ask the communists to give up their philosophy or their activities in society as long as the common good and human rights are safeguarded."

The Communist position on human rights and the common good is quite clear: Marxist doctrine subordinates such considerations entirely to the interests of the Party and the State-an obvious inversion. Worse yet, Marxist doctrine supposes that the good of society necessarily coincides with the interests of the Communist revolution-a monstrous deformation that violates natural law How can a bishop believe that an unrepentant Communist is going to respect the rights of the Church? How can a shepherd lull the vigilance of his flock by insinuating that the wolf is becoming a lamb? How can anyone think that a regime will safeguard values it has constantly and systematically violated to this very day?