Castro greets head of Orthodox Church

[Osolomia]

Yet another "Castro apoplogist" to add to the gallery!



By Stephen Gibbs
BBC correspondent in Havana

The spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians has arrived in Cuba. It is the first time any Orthodox Patriarch has visited Latin America in the Church's history.

Patriarch Bartholomew insists the visit is apolitical Patriarch Bartholomew will consecrate a cathedral in Havana and is also expected to bestow an honour on Fidel Castro.

... Some Cuban dissidents have expressed disappointment but the Patriarch has made it clear that he will not be visiting them.

More...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3418733.stm

[joshcryer]

1. Looks like Castro is alive after all.

Tee hee.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Interesting step forward, isn't it?

From another article:

While Cuba became officially atheist in the years after the 1959 revolution that brought Castro to power, the government removed references to atheism in the constitution more than a decade ago and allowed religious believers to join the Communist Party.

Before that, religious believers struggled under a system that discouraged — but never outright prohibited — religious worship. Believers were barred from important jobs and viewed with suspicion by officials who oversaw most aspects of life. (snip)

An estimated 500 Greek-Americans are expected in Cuba for the consecration, along with scores more Orthodox faithful from around the region, said Metropolitan Athenagoras, the Greek Orthodox archbishop for Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.

The patriarch's visit coincides with a trip here by the National Council of Churches U.S.A., which represents many mainline American Christian groups. (snip/)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040122/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_orthodox_christians_5

[Mika]

3. Patriarch Bartholomew isn't visiting dissidents?

"Some Cuban dissidents have expressed disappointment but the Patriarch has made it clear that he will not be visiting them."


Interesting how foreign dignitaries who visit Cuba are pressured to visit and often criticized for not visiting "dissidents" there.

When do foreign dignitaries, who visit the USA, visit American dissidents? Who demands that? Ever see Tony Blair or Canadian PM's or the Pope (for example's sake) visit jailed Mumia or Peletier (for example's sake) or visit any of the American Dissident Movement? Nope. Who will criticize them?

[Vogon_Glory]

4. I'm Cynical About the Orthodox Church's Construction

I confess that I'm a bit cynical about the construction of the Orthodox Church's cathedral in Havana. While I don't doubt that such a facility will be a great blessing to the devout currently living in or visiting Havana, I can't help but wonder if Russia's Vladimir Putin might have given Fidel a nudge towards getting that Cathedral started.

As many Cuba-watchers know, Cuba owes the Russians billions for debts accrued with the old Soviet Union. As many Cuba-watchers also know, Cuba's main touristic efforts are towards attracting lower-end group tours and mass tourism.

Now that at least of the Russian economy is growing again, could the Russian kleptocracy and parts of the more prosperous salariat be wealthy enough to think about vacations to warm places again? Heaven knows that Cuban vacations are far cheaper than even low-end group tours to the Costa Brava or the French and Italian Riviera.

I think that proof for my speculations will materialize when we start seeing Tupolevs again landing at Jose Marti and if we see a smaller satellite Orthodox church being constructed in Varadero.



:)

[Judi Lynn]

5. You could be right......

I read this weekend that there is a modest group of Christian Orthodox church members who married Cubans during the time Russia interacted with Cuba as a "sponsor" country, or what ever you'd call it.

I saw that mentioned in two different articles. One of the articles claimed the congregation was composed mainly of Russian women who married Cuban men.

Not too sure why more Russian women married Cubans than Russian men, it wasn't explained.

It does seem possible Putin has some surprises up his sleeve, for sure.