CNN logo
Navigation


Infoseek/Big Yellow


Pathfinder/Warner Bros


Barnes and Noble
World banner
rule

Catholic church gets new access to Cuban media

Castro

Action a precursor to coming papal visit

November 1, 1997
Web posted at: 9:59 p.m. EST (0259 GMT)

From Correspondent Harris Whitbeck

HAVANA (CNN) -- In the months leading up to the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba, the Roman Catholic Church is getting powerful new communications tools to drum up fervor among the faithful, thanks to Cuba's Communist regime.

For the first time in at least 35 years, Catholic messages will be allowed in the state-run broadcast and print media. Thus, Cubans will be able to hear, first-hand, about the preparations for the impending papal visit.

The government has also agreed to other requests made by the Vatican and the Cuban church.

Authorities will provide limited transportation for those trying to get to the papal Masses in Havana and other cities. And, in a move that has surprised many here, the government has also said it will allow a cruise ship carrying pilgrims from Miami to dock at Havana's harbor.

Direct charter flights for pilgrims from the United States will also be granted landing rights.

After meeting with Cuban President Fidel Castro last week, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that he was hopeful the papal visit to Cuba will be well organized.

Castro "stressed the idea that he himself, and all his collaborators, are really in a disposition of maintaining an effort in such a way that this next visit of the Holy Father -- that he himself qualified as a religious and an historical trip -- should be and will develop as it is, a pastoral trip in the country," said Navarro-Valls.

But local church organizers say that even with the government's help, it won't be easy for the Cuban faithful to reach the papal Mass sites.

"Unfortunately, the church does not own trains or cars or trucks," said Orlando Marquez, a spokesman for the Catholic Church.

 
rule

Related story:

Infoseek search  

rule
Message Boards Sound off on our message boards

You said it...
rule
To the top

© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.