Cardinal Bertone on Renewed Mission of Cuban Church

(22 Feb 08 - RV ) On day two of his visit to Cuba, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone meets with the men and women religious before setting out to Santa Clara, where he will bless a monument dedicated to Pope John Paul II.

Saturday morning, he will preside over Mass in Santa Clara, in the same place where John Paul II celebrated his first Mass in Cuba in 1998.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told Cuba’s 26 Bishops Thursday that he firmly believed the anniversary of the 1998 Papal visit is an occasion “for renewed intensity in pastoral work, and the consolidation of spiritual fruits which have matured over the last ten years”.

After reading Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the Church n Cuba, the Secretary of State urged a greater “spirit of communion among all the Cuban bishops, as members of the Apostolic College, and with the Pope”.
He called on the bishops not to neglect the spiritual aspect of their mission, despite the great demands on their time to meet to the needs of people under their care, noting that “in the intimacy of prayer with Christ, the best projects and pastoral initiatives mature"

Vocations and catholic education were chief among the Secretary of States concerns. He emphasised “a serious vocation ministry, systematic and detailed, which makes the call to the heart of young Cubans…., and which shows families and Christian communities the beauty of a life totally dedicated to Christ and the Church”.

Concluding the Cardinal expressed his hope that “the celebration of this anniversary …… contributes to giving new strength to the relationship between the state and the Catholic Church in Cuba, so that in a spirit of respect and mutual understanding, the Church can fully carry out her mission, strictly pastoral and at the service of the faithful, with due freedom."

On Monday, Feb. 25, the cardinal is scheduled to have an official meeting with Cuba's foreign minister, Felipe Pérez Roque. He is also expected to greet the diplomatic corps accredited to Cuba.

That afternoon, Cardinal Bertone will address the world of culture and education, in an address at the University of Havana, where the remains of the Servant of God Father Félix Varela lie. Monday evening, the cardinal is scheduled to have dinner with representatives of the Cuban government, before returning to Rome the evening of Feb. 26.