BRIGITTINE SISTER DESCRIBES FIDEL'S HEALTH, RELIGIOUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000171 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2017 TAGS: PREL CU VT SUBJECT: BRIGITTINE SISTER DESCRIBES FIDEL'S HEALTH, RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN CUBA REF: 06 VATICAN 262 CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, DCM, EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. A prominent Rome-based nun who is on good terms with Fidel Castro told Ambassador about her recent trip to Cuba, Fidel's health, improving conditions for religion in Cuba, and relations with Cardinal Ortega. End summary. ¶2. (C) Ambassador and DCM called on Mother Tekla Famiglietti, Abbess General of the Brigittine Sisters in Rome and a friend of Fidel Castro (see reftel for previous reporting),November 19 to hear about her visit to Cuba earlier this month. Mother Tekla said that unlike previous visits, during this trip she did not see Castro personally, but spoke to him by phone. She said his personal secretary, Carlos Valenciaga Diaz, confirmed to her that Castro does not have any cancer, is slowly recovering from his two operations, but is still suffering from severe pains on his right side. ¶3. (C) Brigittines in Cuba: Mother Tekla said she had asked Castro for her order to have a fourth building in Cuba for charitable purposes (feeding the hungry). Castro, in response, urged her firmly to use the new building for religious purposes as well. The Brigittines have ten sisters in Cuba at present, supported in part by occasional donations from Rome. Mother Tekla reported that the Cubans have given her order a ""nice house"" in Pinar del Rio. According to her, Cardinal Jaime Ortega and Bishop Jorge Serpa both asked her to come to Pinar del Rio, and Castro gave her freedom to choose any location she wished to begin work. ¶4. (C) Religion in Cuba: Mother Tekla describes Cardinal Ortega as ""satisfied"" at having obtained materials to build a seminary, and as having warmed somewhat toward the regime and to her own efforts. She believes Castro has had a change of heart about religion. Church attendance in Cuba is up, and the Brigittine church is full -- ""we have no problems now, it is very open."" She described Raul Castro as very open, and in agreement with his brother on religion. ¶5. (C) Mother Tekla and Cuba: Mother Tekla plans to return to Cuba in the spring. She stays in touch by email with her order in Cuba, and with Cardinal Ortega. In Rome she speaks with the Pope, with Cardinal Bertone (due to visit Cuba in January),and with Archbishop Filoni. She urges the USG to abandon its embargo, which she says is harmful to Cubans. ¶6. (C) Comment: we do not sense that much is new in what Mother Tekla told us this time, but report it for what it's worth and to remind readers that she is a regular visitor to Cuba who appears to have good access to Fidel Castro. (In turn, he appears to have considerable influence over her.) ROONEY