For the second year running a Christmas message has been read on National television by the Roman Catholic of Cuba, it seems that once an atheist communist government has now become highly interested in Religion. During the broadcast, Cardinal Jaime Ortega expressed his thanks as the Island's families were able to reunite with their families living in the United States. This came upon as President Barack Obama removed restrictions that forbid any relationship between the Americans and Cubans.
A Christmas concert that had taken place at the National Cathedral was proposed to be shown - a representative Orlando Marquez, Havana's Conference of Bishops confirmed this on behalf of the authorities. The entire communication was aired on the government controlled television in Cuba.
The best thing happened to a retired 67 year old mother Elisa Ramos. She was totally ecstatic as this was the first time in 12 years she was going to see her son again.
After Jaime Ortega's broadcast, there have been some growing signs of some improvement between the relationship of the government and the church.
In November 2008, President Raul Castro astonishingly joined thousands of faith believers for the beatification of Friar Jose Olallo Valdes in the city of Camaguey.
Raul took over his brothers place Fidel Castro as president earlier in the year of 2008. His first diplomatic meeting was with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI's secretary of state. Bertone was commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit in Cuba.
Since the power of presidency to Fidel Castro in 1959, religion was not totally ruled out however priests were expelled and religious establishments were closed down. In the early 1990's, the tension reduced and the government removed any reference to atheism from its organization and allowed believers of all faiths to join the Communist Party. The situation improved later in the year when they had a visit from Pope John Paul II. - 30297
A Christmas concert that had taken place at the National Cathedral was proposed to be shown - a representative Orlando Marquez, Havana's Conference of Bishops confirmed this on behalf of the authorities. The entire communication was aired on the government controlled television in Cuba.
The best thing happened to a retired 67 year old mother Elisa Ramos. She was totally ecstatic as this was the first time in 12 years she was going to see her son again.
After Jaime Ortega's broadcast, there have been some growing signs of some improvement between the relationship of the government and the church.
In November 2008, President Raul Castro astonishingly joined thousands of faith believers for the beatification of Friar Jose Olallo Valdes in the city of Camaguey.
Raul took over his brothers place Fidel Castro as president earlier in the year of 2008. His first diplomatic meeting was with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI's secretary of state. Bertone was commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit in Cuba.
Since the power of presidency to Fidel Castro in 1959, religion was not totally ruled out however priests were expelled and religious establishments were closed down. In the early 1990's, the tension reduced and the government removed any reference to atheism from its organization and allowed believers of all faiths to join the Communist Party. The situation improved later in the year when they had a visit from Pope John Paul II. - 30297
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