Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03VATICAN1401
2003-04-02 11:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

HOLY SEE HOPES BRIGITTINE CONVENT IN HAVANA WILL

Tags:  PREL PHUM KIRF CU VT VTPREL 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 001401 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),WHA/CCA, DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE HOPES BRIGITTINE CONVENT IN HAVANA WILL
OPEN DOOR TO MORE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

REF: HAVANA 4892

CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON, REASON E.O. 12958 1.5 (B,D)

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SUMMARY
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CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01401 01 OF 03 021115Z
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 001401

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),WHA/CCA, DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE HOPES BRIGITTINE CONVENT IN HAVANA WILL
OPEN DOOR TO MORE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

REF: HAVANA 4892

CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON, REASON E.O. 12958 1.5 (B,D)

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SUMMARY
--------------

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01401 01 OF 03 021115Z

1. (C) MFA CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS DIRECTOR MONS. GIORGIO LINGUA
TOLD US MARCH 28 THAT THE HOLY SEE STILL HOPED THAT THE MARCH
8 OPENING OF THE BRIGITTINE SISTERS' HOUSE IN HAVANA,
DEVELOPED WITH CASTRO'S COOPERATION, WOULD HELP PAVE THE WAY
TO GREATER CHURCH ACCESS TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE. THE HOLY SEE
REGRETTED CASTRO'S TURNING THE OPENING CEREMONY INTO A
PROPAGANDA OPPORTUNITY, BUT IS WILLING TO GRIT ITS TEETH FOR
THE TIME BEING. THE HOLY SEE WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT
CARDINAL ORTEGA'S STRONG PASTORAL LETTER OF FEBRUARY 24 AND
THE CUBAN BISHOPS' LETTER OF MARCH 11 REACTING AGAINST THE
CASTRO GOVERNMENT'S PROPAGANDA USE OF THE BRIGITTINE SISTERS
(REFTEL). LINGUA BELIEVED THAT BRIGITTINE MOTHER TEKLA,
CARDINAL SEPE, AND THE HOLY SEE ITSELF HAD MISPLAYED THE
BRIGITTINE CONVENT OPENING, NOT JUST BY LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN
FOR CASTRO TO PROPAGANDIZE, BUT ALSO BY EXERCISING POOR
COORDINATION AND JUDGMENT IN THEIR PUBLIC ACTIVITIES. MOTHER
TEKLA HERSELF TOLD US THAT NO SPECIAL HONORS WERE ACCORDED
CASTRO AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, AND THAT SHE INVITED HIM TO
THE INAUGURATION OUT OF "CHARITY" AND CHRISTIAN COURTESY,
GIVEN THAT HE HAD BOTH PERMITTED AND EXPEDITED THE PROJECT.
NOTING THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED THREATENING LETTERS FROM "MIAMI
CUBANS," SHE EMPHASIZED HER DESIRE TO STAY OUT OF POLITICS,
EXPAND THE BRIGITTINE PRESENCE INTO THE POORER PROVINCES, AND
CONTINUE TO OPEN DOORS TO ANY IN CUBA WHO CARE TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF HER SANCTUARY FOR REFLECTION, PRAYER AND
RENEWAL. END SUMMARY.

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BRIGITTINE CONVENT OPENING EXPOSES CATHOLIC DIVISIONS

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CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 VATICA 01401 01 OF 03 021115Z

2. (C) EMBASSY MET WITH MFA CUBAN AFFAIRS DIRECTOR MONS.
GIORGIO LINGUA MARCH 21, TO GET HIS TAKE ON THE APPARENT
DIVISIONS BETWEEN CUBAN CARDINAL ORTEGA AND BRIGITTINE MOTHER
TEKLA, SIGNALED IN THE CUBAN BISHOPS' LETTER "CLARIFYING"
THAT THE CUBAN CHURCH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH CASTRO'S
APPEARANCE AT THE MARCH 8 OPENING OF THE BRIGITTINE SISTERS'
HOUSE AND CARDINAL ORTEGA'S EARLIER PASTORAL LETTER
EMPHASIZING THAT THERE IS NO REAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CUBA
(REFTEL). THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE OPENING OF THE BRIGITTINE
HOUSE HAD BEEN REPORTED IN VATICAN-RELATED PRESS SHORTLY
AFTER THE BISHOPS ISSUED THEIR MARCH 11 LETTER. LINGUA TOLD
US THE HOLY SEE STILL HOPED THE OPENING OF THE BRIGITTINE
SISTERS' HOUSE IN HAVANA WOULD HELP PAVE THE WAY TO GREATER
CHURCH ACCESS IN CUBA, THUS THE HOLY SEE WAS WILLING TO GRIT
ITS TEETH AND ACCEPT CASTRO'S PROPAGANDIZING OF THE OPENING
CEREMONY.

3.(C) SEEKING TO DAMPEN THE DIFFERENCES THAT AROSE BETWEEN
ORTEGA AND BRIGITTINE MOTHER TEKLA OVER CASTRO'S EFFORTS TO
CAPITALIZE ON THE CONVENT'S OPENING, LINGUA INSISTED THAT
TEKLA AND CARDINAL SEPE, WHO ATTENDED THE OPENING,
REPRESENTED ONLY THEMSELVES -- NOT THE HOLY SEE. LINGUA
UNDERSCORED THAT CARDINAL SEPE, WHO HEADS THE VATICAN
CONGREGATION FOR EVANGELIZATION, WAS NOT A PAPAL ENVOY SENT
TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPE'S CUBA TRIP
(AS CASTRO REPORTEDLY SAID TO THE TV CAMERAS). LINGUA AGREED
THAT CARDINAL ORTEGA AND THE CUBAN CLERGY HAD A LEGITIMATE
BEEF WITH HOW MOTHER TEKLA HAD ORGANIZED THE CONSTRUCTION AND
INAUGURATION OF HER CONVENT (I.E. VIA DIRECT COMMUNICATION
WITH CASTRO AND THE POPE RATHER THAN VIA THE CUBAN BISHOPS).
HE ADMITTED THAT THE HOLY SEE HAD NOT MANAGED THE EVENT WELL,
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 04 VATICA 01401 01 OF 03 021115Z
NOTING THAT MOTHER TEKLA "IS NOT CONTROLLABLE" AND THAT
CARDINAL SEPE HAD TRAVELED TO THE OPENING AND OFFERED REMARKS
WITHOUT CLEARING EITHER THE TRAVEL OR THE REMARKS WITH THE
SECRETARIAT OF STATE. LINGUA ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE

SIPDIS
SECRETARIAT'S CONCERN AT THE ACTIVITIES OF MEXICAN CARDINAL

SIPDIS
SANDOVAL DURING THE WEEK OF THE CONVENT OPENING, IN
PARTICULAR SANDOVAL'S ILL-CONSIDERED PUBLIC VISIT TO AND
POSITIVE COMMENTS AT A CLINIC WHERE THE CUBAN CHURCH HAD FOR
YEARS BEEN SEEKING PERMISSION TO MINISTER, WITHOUT SUCCESS.

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MOTHER TEKLA AND PERSONAL DIPLOMACY
--------------


4. (C) TO HEAR THE BRIGITTINE SIDE OF THE STORY, EMBASSY
OFFICERS MET MARCH 20 WITH MOTHER TEKLA FAMIGLIETTI, ABBESS
GENERAL OF THE BRIGITTINE SISTERS, TO DISCUSS HER VISIT TO
CUBA TO OPEN THE CONVENT IN HAVANA. SHE AFFIRMED THAT THE
PROJECT ORIGINATED DURING HER VISIT TO MEXICO, WHICH
COINCIDED WITH CASTRO'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INAUGURATION OF

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5842

PAGE 01 VATICA 01401 02 OF 03 021115Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 WHA-00
PERC-00 DS-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01
VCE-00 NSAE-00 DHS-00 PA-00 SS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
DRL-01 SAS-00 /002W
-------------- 4EFE3D 021115Z /38
P 021111Z APR 03 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 VATICAN 001401

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),WHA/CCA, DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE HOPES BRIGITTINE CONVENT IN HAVANA WILL
OPEN DOOR TO MORE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

PRESIDENT FOX. AFTER MEXICAN CARDINAL SANDOVAL INTRODUCED
HER TO CASTRO, A SERIES OF CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO CASTRO
WRITING TO POPE JOHN PAUL II TO ASK FOR HIS BLESSING ON
MOTHER TEKLA'S PLANS TO OPEN A CONVENT IN CUBA, WHICH WAS
RECEIVED. WHILE CARDINAL ORTEGA GAVE HIS OWN PERMISSION FOR
THE ORDER TO ESTABLISH ITS PRESENCE IN HIS DIOCESE, MOTHER
TEKLA TOLD US THE CARDINAL DID NOT ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE
PROJECT. BECAUSE ORTEGA COULD OFFER THE CONVENT ONLY A
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01401 02 OF 03 021115Z
COUNTRY PROPERTY "MILES OUTSIDE OF HAVANA," TEKLA TOLD US SHE
TURNED TO CASTRO, AND CUBA'S COMMUNIST PARTY GAVE HER THE
CONVENT BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HAVANA. FIDEL CASTRO PERSONALLY
INTERVENED TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING'S RENOVATION AND
INAUGURATION PROCEEDED WITHOUT ANY OF THE NORMAL BUREAUCRATIC
OBSTACLES, SHE SAID, IN ORDER TO HAVE IT READY FOR THE
"ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPE'S VISIT." THE RENOVATION COSTS WERE
COVERED BY DONATIONS SOLICITED BY MOTHER TEKLA'S ORDER, AND
THE VATICAN'S NUNCIATURE ASSISTED WITH IMPORTING BUILDING
MATERIALS AND FITTINGS USUALLY HARD TO COME BY IN CUBA.


5. (C) CUBAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OFFICIALS WERE CLEARLY MIFFED AT
MOTHER TEKLA'S OUT-OF-CHANNELS APPROACH TO CASTRO AND THE
POPE, AND ESPECIALLY THE PROPAGANDA OPPORTUNITY IT AFFORDED
CASTRO, AND DID NOT ATTEND THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY DURING
WHICH THE CUBAN LEADER FEATURED PROMINENTLY. MOTHER TEKLA
STRESSED THAT, CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS, SHE ACCORDED NO
SPECIAL HONORS TO CASTRO, AND THAT SHE INVITED HIM TO THE
INAUGURATION OUT OF CHARITY AND "CHRISTIAN COURTESY," GIVEN
THAT HE HAD EXPEDITED THE PROJECT. SHE TOLD US SHE GAVE HIM
ONE OF HER OWN ORDER'S MEDALS FOR HIS EFFORT "TO SUPPORT
ECUMENISM" ONLY IN RESPONSE TO THE VARELA MEDAL CASTRO HAD
OFFERED HER. SHE INSISTED THAT NEITHER GIFT MEANT MUCH MORE
THAN SIMPLE COURTESY, AND UNDERSCORED THAT THE BRIGITTINE
MEDAL IS NOT AN OFFICIAL HOLY SEE RECOGNITION.


6. (C) MOTHER TEKLA ASSURED US THAT HER ORDER IS NOT IN CUBA
FOR POLITICAL REASONS. IN FACT, SHE SAID THE CHURCH SHOULD
STAY OUT OF POLITICS AND INSISTED THAT CHRISTIAN CHARITY WAS
THE SOLE MOTIVE FOR HER ORDER'S PRESENCE IN CUBA. SHE SAID
THE CONVENT SEEKS TO PROMOTE PEACE AND JUSTICE THROUGH
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PAGE 03 VATICA 01401 02 OF 03 021115Z
REFLECTION, AND CUBANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMING FOR RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION, BAPTISM, AND TO RECEIVE BIBLES. MOTHER TEKLA
ALSO NOTED THAT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY HAVE ALSO
CONTACTED THE CONVENT. THE ORDER HOPES TO OPEN ANOTHER
CENTER IN CUBA, PREFERABLY IN A POOR AREA OF THE COUNTRY
OUTSIDE OF HAVANA. HOWEVER, SHE SAID HAVANA'S CARDINAL
ORTEGA HAS HER SISTERS UNDER FIRM CONTROL AND HINTED THAT THE
CARDINAL MIGHT OBSTRUCT HER ORDER'S EXPANSION.


7. (C) MOTHER TEKLA TOLD US THAT PRIOR TO HER VISIT TO CUBA
SHE HAD RECEIVED "THREATENING LETTERS" FROM CUBAN MIGRS IN
MIAMI WHICH, SHE SAID, WERE AIMED AT DEMORALIZING HER. SHE
REGRETTED THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC CIRCUS SURROUNDING THE
OPENING OF HER HOUSE HAD CAUSED A RIFT BETWEEN ORTEGA AND HER
SISTERS, AND BY "POLITICIZING" THE EVENT APPARENTLY
STIMULATED PEOPLE TO SEND THE LETTERS.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) THE HOLY SEE IS CLEARLY EMBARRASSED AT HOW POORLY THEY
MANAGED THIS AFFAIR. NEVER AN INSTITUTION TO MAKE A BOLD
DIPLOMATIC GESTURE, AS MONS. LINGUA HAS TOLD US MANY TIMES,
THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE IS NERVOUS ABOUT A POSSIBLE
CRACKDOWN ON THE LIMITED RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS THE CUBAN CHURCH
GAINED AFTER THE POPE'S 1998 VISIT TO THE ISLAND. HE SAID
THEY NEVERTHELESS PLACED MUCH HOPE IN THE BRIGITTINE CONVENT
SETTING A PRECEDENT TO OPEN THE WAY FOR THE MANY OTHER
PENDING REQUESTS OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES TO GAIN ACCESS TO
CUBA. WE BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENING HERE TOO.
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PAGE 04 VATICA 01401 02 OF 03 021115Z
MOTHER TEKLA IS REPUTED TO HAVE A DIRECT CONNECTION TO POPE
JOHN PAUL II, WHO HIMSELF IS KNOWN TO MAKE THE OCCASIONAL
BOLD GESTURE. CARDINAL SEPE IS A FAVORED SON, WHO WAS
ELEVATED TO CARDINAL AND MADE PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL
CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLE (THE OLDEST AND
SOME SAY MOST POWERFUL DICASTRY) IN 2001, IN PART FOR HIS
GOOD WORK ORGANIZING THE 2000 JUBILEE YEAR -- A CHERISHED
PROJECT OF JOHN PAUL II. WE FIND IT IMPLAUSIBLE THAT SEPE
ATTENDED THIS EVENT ONLY AS A "FRIEND OF MOTHER TEKLA." IT
SEEMS MORE LIKELY THAT THE POPE HIMSELF PUT GREAT STORE IN
THE OPENING OF THE BRIGITTINE CONVENT (WHICH WAS REFLECTED IN
THE MANY FULL PAGES OF COVERAGE IT RECEIVED IN OSSERVATORE
ROMANO -- THE VATICAN OFFICIAL NEWS DAILY). IN THIS CONTEXT,
WE BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE POPE WISHED TO USE THE
OPENING OF THE CONVENT TO HELP PRY OPEN THE DOORS TO GREATER
RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES IN SUCH AS WAY THAT THE CUBAN CLERGY
ITSELF WAS PROTECTED FROM ANY BACKLASH.


9. (C) WE LEAVE TO USINT TO ASSESS WHETHER THE CONVENT
OPENING WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO GREATER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN
CUBA AND WHETHER THE EVENT HAS OR HAS NOT CREATED LASTING

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5834

PAGE 01 VATICA 01401 03 OF 03 021113Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 WHA-00
DS-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00
NSAE-00 PA-00 IRM-00 SS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
SAS-00 /002W
-------------- 4EFDDD 021113Z /38
P 021111Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 VATICAN 001401

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),WHA/CCA, DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU PHUM KIRF CU VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE HOPES BRIGITTINE CONVENT IN HAVANA WILL
OPEN DOOR TO MORE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

DIVISIONS BETWEEN THE CUBAN CLERGY AND THE VATICAN, AS
REPORTED IN REFTEL. TO GET WHERE BOTH THE CUBAN CHURCH AND
THE HOLY SEE WANT TO GO, HOWEVER, BOTH WILL HAVE TO MANAGE
ANY DIFFERENCES THAT AROSE BETWEEN TEKLA AND CARDINAL ORTEGA
OVER TEKLA'S 8PARACHUTE EVANGELIZATION." CARDINAL ORTEGA'S
MARCH 19 PRIVATE AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE ON THE MARGINS OF A
MEETING OF LATIN AMERICAN BISHOPS MAY HAVE BEEN A STEP IN
THAT DIRECTION.
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01401 03 OF 03 021113Z

NICHOLSON

CONFIDENTIAL

>


2003VATICA01401 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL