Occupation of Cuban Basilica comes to an end

Thirteen protestors in the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity in Havana were removed by police at the request of Cardinal Jaime Ortega. The agents who carried out the operation were unarmed, and the protestors were returned home after being processed at the police station. The Church had complained about houses of worship being taken over for political purposes when the occupation began on Tuesday.

``Nobody has the right to turn temples into political trenches,'' said a statement from the Archdiocese on Thursday.

Two other churches had also been the target of occupation ahead of the March 26-28 Papal Visit.

"This has to do with a strategy prepared and coordinated by groups in various regions of the country. It is not a chance event, but well thought out and it appears with the purpose of creating critical situations close to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI," the Church statement said.