Pope's Cuba visit brings new freedoms

Marxist government boosts Catholic hopes
BY JOE JENKINS WITH THE STICKY Caribbean air thick with rumours of the impending conversion of President Fidel Castro, and a papal visit planned for January, Cuba confirmed its commitment to better relations with the Catholic Church last week when it agreed to allow dozens of foreign nuns and priests on to its shores.
In a move that will gladden the hearts of the Marxist stronghold's Catholic population, the local Church hierarchy announced that the government has granted permission for 26 priests and 30 religious sisters to live and work on the island, whose revolutionary regime is softening its line on Church activities. Most of the priests will come from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Spain, but they will be joined by colleagues from Germany. The nuns are from Colombia and Mexico.
Bishop Emilio Aranguren of Cienfuegos, secretary of the Cuban Bishops' Conference, hailed the move as a breakthrough. "The Church has long sought to make the Cuban authorities understand the need for more help with her pastoral ministry," he told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need.
This boost for the Cuban Church follows the decision of the US authorities whose policy of tough economic sanctions has crippled the one-time playground of rich Americans to allow exiled Cubans to travel to see the Pope. His five-day visit begins on January 21 when he arrives in Havana.
The Vatican confirmed last week that the Pope will make day trips to the cities of Santa Clara, Camaguey and Santiago de Cuba. The trip will conclude with an open air Mass in Havana on January 25.
• The Catholic Herald will bring you the most comprehensive coverage of the Pope's visit to Cuba.
Foreign correspondent Jeremy McDermott, our man on the spot, will report from Havana as Cuba's Catholics prepare for what promises to be the most significant arrival on the island since the 1950s.