POPE URGES GENUINE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CUBA

UNCLAS VATICAN 000089

SIPDIS


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DEPT FOR EUR/WE (LEVIN); WHA/CCA (SIBILLA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM CU VT
SUBJECT: POPE URGES GENUINE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CUBA


1.(U) Pope John Paul II told Cuba's new Ambassador to
the Holy See January 8 that the Catholic Church needed
"genuine religious freedom" in order to be more effective
in promoting the good of the Cuban people. Such freedom,
according to the Pope, included better access to Cuba by
foreign missionaries as well as the ability to maintain
links with Catholics in other countries. The Pope said
Cuba's Catholic Church was ideally suited to promote the
common good of the people, and he told the Cuban Ambassador
that religious liberty would ensure it was even more
effective in this service. End Summary.


2. (U) In a strong appeal for greater religious freedom in
Cuba, the Pope vigorously defended the role of the Catholic
Church in Cuba during the presentation of credentials by
Cuba's new Ambassador to the Holy See, Raul Roa Kouri. The
Pope pointed out that the Church played a vital role in
promoting human dignity, working on behalf of the family
and supporting the education of a new generation in the
culture of life, peace and hope. He also cited the
Church's potential to shed light on the complex
relationship between economics and spiritual values.


3. (U) The Pope's call for religious freedom was, however,
prefaced by praise for Cuba's spirit of solidarity and
compassion "made evident by sending personnel and material
resources and basic necessities to various populations
affected by natural disasters, conflict or poverty." John
Paul II also referred to the U.S. economic embargo against
Cuba, saying that the Holy See hopes that the obstacles
impeding free communication and trade "be overcome as soon
as possible." The Pope maintained that Cuba's development
depended on respectful and open dialogue with everyone.


4. (U) Career diplomat Raul Roa Kouri previously served as
ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),Ambassador to France,
and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. His reply to the
Pope -- peppered with anti-American rhetoric -- lamented
the rise of neo-liberal capitalism that made a few rich
countries wealthier but impoverished many others. Roa
Kouri also criticized "first world" efforts at the United
Nations to maintain an economic, financial and trade
embargo on Cuba. Kouri juxtaposed the Pope's efforts to
build a "better world" with Fidel Castro's, citing Cuba's
efforts around the world and at home in the medical and
educational fields and even likening Cuban doctors working
overseas to Church missionaries.


5. (SBU) Holy See Country Director for Cuba Monsignor
Giorgio Lingua told us January 11 that, while the Pope's
speech contained nothing groundbreaking, it was important
for the Holy See to reemphasize its position on Cuba every
so often, particularly its desire for greater religious
freedom. According to Lingua, Vatican Foreign Minister-
equivalent Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo delivered a similar
message to the Cuban ambassador when the two met for a
courtesy call on the margins of the Papal audience. "We
try to reinforce our position when we can," said Lingua.
Nevertheless, he foresaw no change in the dynamic of the
Cuba-Holy See relationship. Lingua did note that the Pope
had continued his emphasis upon the importance of religious
freedom by devoting a sizable portion of his annual address
to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps to the topic two days after
his remarks on Cuba (septel).

Nicholson


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2005VATICA00089 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED