Cuban bishops back freedom of expression ahead of protests
By Diego Lopez Marina for CNA
November 12, 2021 Catholic News Agency The Dispatch 0 Print
A protest of Cuba's communist government in Havana, July 11, 2021. (Domitille P/Shutterstock)
Havana, Cuba, Nov 12, 2021 / 15:01 pm (CNA).
The Cuban bishops' conference on Thursday indicated its support for the right of citizens to express themselves freely, without fear of intimidation and reprisals, shortly before marches protesting the island's communist government planned for Nov. 15.
"Every person deserves esteem and recognition of his dignity, for his condition as a human being and a child of God, for being a free citizen, a person with rights and duties. Consequently, every Cuban should be able to freely and respectfully express and share their personal opinions, thoughts or convictions, even when they disagree with the majority," the conference stated Nov. 11.
A "Civic March for Change", a peaceful demonstration in several cities of Cuba that seeks to repeat the protests which took place across the country July 11-12, has been announced for Nov. 15.
The bishops lamented that in recent weeks "the increase in a climate of tension and confrontation that is not healthy nor benefits anyone."
"Any act of violence between us, whether physical, verbal or psychological, seriously wounds the soul of the Cuban nation and contributes even more to the sorrow, suffering and sadness of our families," they said.
"A wounded soul is in no condition to build a future of hope. Violence contradicts the will of God, as Christ has said: 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God'," they added.
The bishops consider there is "an increasing urgency for the involvement of Cubans in a national project that involves and motivates everyone; that takes into account the differences, without exclusions or marginalizations."
"We think that it is necessary to implement mechanisms where, without fear of intimidation and reprisals, everyone can be heard and the dissatisfaction be channeled, in the face of the harsh daily realities that overwhelm so many, especially the most impoverished and vulnerable," they continued.
The Cuban bishops said that it is "indispensable to implement the necessary changes, so long desired, that favor a decent and happy life here for all the sons of this land of ours."
The bishops urged "everyone to spare no effort so that the way to understanding, reconciliation and peace is paved; in such a way that the various proposals on the present and future destiny of our country, find an area of common sense, tolerance and concord, and a harmonious and civilized dialogue is established in which the best solutions to the problems that concern us can be found. "
"How much would so many Cuban families and the Church itself be grateful, and how much social tension would be diminished if there were a gesture of clemency for those still under arrest for the events of last summer!"
Prisoners Defenders, a Spanish NGO that provides legal defense for human rights, reported Nov. 4 that Cuba has detained 683 political prisoners in the last 12 months.
In addition, the NGO said it has been possible to determine there were 591 active cases during the month of October, and that of that group, 370 remain in prison since the protests of July 11.
Protests took place across Cuba July 11-12. Protesters cited concerns about inflation, shortages of food and medicine, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Some protesters were beaten, and thousands were arrested.
Communist rule in Cuba was established soon after the conclusion of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, which ousted the authoritarian ruler Fulgencio Batista.
New resource informs doctors about abortion pill reversal
Stats show Irish women benefit from waiting period before abortion, observers say
Pope Francis appoints bishop to lead two Irish Catholic dioceses
February 11, 2022 Catholic News Agency 3
Bishop Brendan Kelly (speaking) and Bishop Michael Duignan (seated) concelebrate Mass at Galway Cathedral, Ireland, on Feb. 11, 2022. / Screenshot from galwaycathedral.ie
Galway, Ireland, Feb 11, 2022 / 05:30 am (CNA).
Pope Francis on Friday na… […]
Here's what you need to know about consecration of Russia and Ukraine by Pope Francis
March 15, 2022 Catholic News Agency 2
Pope Francis in Fatima, 2017. / Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Denver Newsroom, Mar 15, 2022 / 12:06 pm (CNA).
Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary later this month, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. What does… […]
7 things to know about Giorgia Meloni, Italy's likely new Catholic prime minister
September 26, 2022 Catholic News Agency 8
Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), speaks at a press conference at the party electoral headquarters overnight on Sept. 26, 2022. in Rome. Italy's national elections on Sept. 25 saw voters poised to elect Meloni, a Catholic mother, as the country's first female prime minister. / Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
Washington D.C., Sep 26, 2022 / 18:00 pm (CNA).
Italy's national elections on Sept. 25 ended with Giorgia Meloni, a Catholic mother, poised to become the country's first female prime minister.
In the snap elections — called after former prime minister Mario Draghi's unity government collapsed due to economic and military tensions — Meloni's Brothers of Italy party captured the most votes at around 26%, skyrocketing from a roughly 4% share four years ago.
Before and amid her party's electoral victory, Meloni's views have been described in the media as "far-right" and even as "fascist." Here's what you need to know about her:
She's not the prime minister yet
It's worth noting that although Meloni's party garnered the most votes in the recent election, it's not yet certain that she will be Italy's prime minister.
It is up to Italian President Sergio Mattarella to nominate someone from the winning coalition as prime minister, a process that could take several weeks. The nominee is likely to be Meloni, who will then be tasked with assembling a majority in Parliament. Brothers of Italy was the leading party in a center-right coalition that now must form an alliance to govern.
Meloni comes from a working-class Roman background. She worked various jobs, including as a waitress and as a nanny, before becoming a full-time politician. In 2008, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appointed her the country's minister for youth, the youngest person to be appointed to that position.
She made her faith a major part of her campaign
Meloni has described herself in speeches as a Christian and has publicly expressed her admiration for Pope St. John Paul II. She keeps a photo of John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta on her desk and has expressed a desire to meet Pope Francis in person — a virtual certainty when and if she becomes prime minister.
"I am a woman, I am a mother, I am Italian, I am a Christian, and you can't take that away from me," Meloni said in a speech in 2019.
Meloni — who was raised by a single mother in Rome — now has a daughter with her partner Andrea Giambruno, though the two have never married.
She supports several pro-life and pro-family policies
In a speech to the Vox party in Spain earlier this year, Meloni summarized her pro-life and pro-family platform: "Yes to natural families, no to the LGBT lobby, yes to sexual identity, no to gender ideology, yes to the culture of life, no to the abyss of death."
In Italy, abortion is legal through the first 90 days of pregnancy, with exceptions after that point for fetal anomalies and risks to the mother's life. Access to legal abortions is limited, however, due to widespread opposition from Italian doctors — 68.4% as of 2017, according to the Italian Ministry of Health — who oppose performing abortions due to conscience objections.
Meloni has not said she will attempt to change Italy's abortion laws. She has, however, proposed pro-life and family policies to encourage motherhood, including free child-care services. She has cited Italy's extremely low birth rate as a problem.
"I want our families to have children," she said in a speech to supporters in Milan earlier this month.
She has committed to opposing LGBTQ policies and gender ideology
Meloni has made her views against same-sex unions widely known, referring to LGBTQ content as "woke ideology" and promising to continue opposing policies allowing homosexual couples to adopt or have children through surrogacy.
Italy has legalized same-sex civil unions but it does not afford them the same legal protections as it does marriages. Surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are banned for same-sex couples, for example, who must travel outside the country for such procedures. Meloni proposed an amendment in 2018 to extend the surrogacy ban to same-sex couples who seek it abroad, which was not approved.
The amendment called surrogacy an "example of the commercialization of the female body and of the very children who are born through such practices, who are treated like commodities."
Meloni said earlier this year that her opposition to such policies is not because she is "homophobic" but that she believes every child has the right to have a mother and a father for "stability."
She cited her personal experience growing up in a single-parent home, saying, "I lived [in] a family condition that [made] me see this."
Meloni is strongly against illegal immigration
Meloni has made it clear that she opposes the practice of migrants sailing from places such as North Africa to the Italian shore. In August, Meloni posted a video on social media saying she would introduce a naval blockade to patrol the Mediterranean and return migrants to their countries of origin, NPR reported.
Meloni's anti-immigration stance puts her somewhat at odds with Pope Francis, who has frequently spoken about the need to welcome migrants and refugees.
Meloni is a Eurosceptic, and supports Ukraine in its war with Russia
Meloni has been critical of the European Union (EU), saying her first priority is to defend Italy's national interests.
"We want a different Italian attitude on the international stage, for example in dealing with the European Commission," Meloni said in an interview with Reuters this month on her party's Eurosceptic views.
Still, Meloni has taken pains to assure world leaders that Italy would not leave the EU.
"This does not mean that we want to destroy Europe, that we want to leave Europe, that we want to do crazy things," she said. "It simply means explaining that the defense of the national interest is important to us as it is for the French and for the Germans."
Since Russia's invasion in February, Meloni has come out as a strong defender of Ukraine, promising to continue supplying arms to the country.
Meloni has also taken a hardline stance against China and called on Italian athletes to boycott Beijing in the 2008 Olympics.
She has rejected the "fascist" and "far-right" labels often attributed to her
Meloni has been branded as "far-right" and "fascist" by media outlets, pro-abortion and LGBTQ activists, and world leaders — a label she has rejected.
"Everything that defines us is now an enemy for those who would no longer like us to have an identity," Meloni said in a widely shared speech on Sept. 26. "Like it or not … we will defend God, country, and family."
This is Italy's new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
I've never heard any politician so perfectly explain what we're up against and why we fight.
When you watch this video, you'll quickly realize why the establishment is afraid of her.
pic.twitter.com/CswR8o3mjg
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 26, 2022
In an interview with Reuters last month, she dismissed any suggestion that her party was nostalgic for the fascist era and distanced herself from comments she made in 1996, as a teenager, which some critics took as a praising Benito Mussolini.
Meloni has received a warm welcome from other conservative European leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who shares her traditional family views and immigration policy.
Here's what American Catholics in the pews have done to help relief efforts in Ukraine – Catholic World Report – The Old Roman: […] Here's what American Catholics in the pews have done to help relief efforts in Ukraine – Catholi… […]
LJ: I dont believe in being silent about anything. I have been a letter writer for years. Will admit that in…
Learning the "Our Father" again in Great Britain
Joanna Bogle November 21, 2014 0
When people are brought together for a special service in Britain—on Remembrance Sunday at a local War Memorial, or a Christmas carol service at a school—the service almost always includes the Lord's Prayer. But over […]