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  • Submitted by: lena campos
  • 09 / 16 / 2013


Roman Catholic bishops in Cuba called for political reform in tandem with social and economic changes already under way, issuing their first joint pastoral letter in two decades that was presented to reporters Monday.

The document from the Conference of Bishops urged authorities to bring about a political opening that includes "the right to diversity with respect to thought, to creativity and the search for truth."

"As has been happening with the economic aspect, we believe that in our Cuban reality, a renovation or updating of national legislation in the political order is essential," reads the letter, titled "Hope Does Not Disappoint."

The Communist Party is the only one allowed in Cuba, though membership is not a requirement to hold political office. The government does not recognize any legal status of opposition groups, which it accuses of being financed from overseas and trying to undermine the revolution.

It was the first pastoral letter from the Conference of Bishops since 1993's "Love Awaits All," which caused controversy at the time for its criticism of the government.

The new document also applauded President Raul Castro's reform program begun in 2010, which has included things such as increasing private small business activity, legalizing home and used car sales, decentralizing state businesses and ending a widely detested exit visa requirement that for decades made traveling abroad difficult for many.

But the bishops said much remains to be done, highlighting as an example the low salaries of professional and government workers in key sectors such as health and education.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/16/3630612/cuban-catholic-bishops-cal...


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