In a powerful message, Archbishop Dionisio García Ibáñez of Santiago de Cuba has urged the Cuban populace to strive for a more equitable and self-sufficient society. He envisions a community where individual effort and mutual respect form the foundation, a commendable aspiration amidst the reality of a nation under the grip of a dictatorial regime.
During his Sunday sermon at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Archbishop García Ibáñez reflected on the country's current state, emphasizing that faith should remain intertwined with daily life challenges.
"We must aim for a society where a person's labor allows them to meet their needs without reliance on handouts," he stated to the congregation gathered at the church.
While acknowledging the hardships following Hurricane Melissa, García Ibáñez stressed that material shortages should not justify the erosion of values or foster dependency. His wise words resonate in a time of deepening crisis regarding principles that must be nurtured within families.
"The Lord grants us intelligence to organize ourselves as a society and contribute to the common good. We cannot live waiting for everything to come from outside," he warned.
The Path to Recovery: Solidarity and Self-Effort
The Archbishop also called for solidarity and collective effort as means to spiritually and materially rebuild the nation amid prolonged crisis and institutional distrust.
"While external aid should be appreciated, the crucial part is our own work to enable recovery," he emphasized.
In a poignant moment, Archbishop García urged Cubans to respect one another and to develop a societal model grounded in justice and personal responsibility.
"The Lord desires that we honor His name, which also means respecting each individual," he remarked.
Church's Role in Crisis Response
His sermon, rich in social and ethical content, aligns with recent appeals from the Catholic Church for a profound reflection on Cuba's moral, economic, and human trajectory, troubled by poverty, migration, and institutional distrust.
In response to Hurricane Melissa's impact on eastern Cuba, the Catholic Church has mobilized to assist those affected. Cáritas Santiago de Cuba has distributed food and hygiene supplies to impacted families, organizing this immediate emergency response through parish structures and coordinated by the Diocesan Office of Cáritas.
Additionally, Father José Joaquín Espino, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in Miami, announced a mission to Holguín carrying over 30 tons of humanitarian aid for hurricane victims in eastern Cuba.
Previously, the Catholic Church in Cuba revealed plans to send four planes loaded with humanitarian relief from Miami to the dioceses most impacted by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern parts of the country.
Understanding the Church's Response to Cuba's Challenges
What is Archbishop Dionisio García Ibáñez's vision for Cuban society?
Archbishop García Ibáñez envisions a society in Cuba where individual effort and mutual respect are the cornerstones, allowing people to meet their needs independently without relying on external assistance.
How has the Catholic Church responded to Hurricane Melissa?
In response to Hurricane Melissa, the Catholic Church has organized aid distribution through Cáritas and is coordinating efforts to provide food and hygiene supplies to affected families. Additionally, the Church has arranged for humanitarian aid flights from Miami to the hardest-hit areas in eastern Cuba.
What message did Archbishop García convey about external aid?
Archbishop García emphasized that while external aid should be appreciated, it is crucial for Cubans to rely on their own efforts for recovery, thereby fostering a self-reliant society.