Search results for: Cardinal Jaime Ortega

A ‘Bishop Of The People’ For A Cuba In Transition / 14ymedio, Mario Penton

14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 26 April 2016 — After nearly 35 years as head of the Archdiocese of Havana, Jaime Ortega y Alamino, the only Cuban cardinal and a crucial figure in the thaw with the United States, has been replaced. Pope Francis decided to accept his resignation, presented since 2011, and appoint in his place Juan … Continue reading “A ‘Bishop Of The People’ For A Cuba In Transition / 14ymedio, Mario Penton”

Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 24 December 2015 — Cuban kitchens and restaurants are preparing for Christmas Eve. The menu that is placed on the tables will evidence the purchasing power of each family and deepen social differences. While some make reservations in exclusive places with gourmet food, others will be satisfied with products from the … Continue reading “Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”

The Pope, So as Not to Say Anything, Said Nothing / Angel Santiesteban

The Inverted Pyramid Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, Havana, 17 September 2015 — It always irritates me that it is accepted, ironically, for the Cuban dictatorship to ply its totalitarian propaganda and be visible in foreign countries, via the media and its “solidarity”committees, when not even Cubans themselves in their own country are not allowed to claim freedom … Continue reading “The Pope, So as Not to Say Anything, Said Nothing / Angel Santiesteban”

Francis Travels to Cuba to Show Support for a Church Wanting to Broaden Its Reach / EFE-14ymedio, Sara Gomez Armas

EFE, Sara Gómez Armas, Havana, 18 September 2015 — Pope Francis is the third pontiff to visits Cuba, a country where the Catholic Church has assumed an important role as mediator with Raúl Castro’s administration, but which still faces challenges as it tries gain more space and institutional recognition on the Communist island. Cuba is … Continue reading “Francis Travels to Cuba to Show Support for a Church Wanting to Broaden Its Reach / EFE-14ymedio, Sara Gomez Armas”

A List of Cuban Political Prisoners / 14ymedio, Martha Beatriz Roque

14ymedio, Martha Beatriz Roque, Havana, 11 July 2015 — What classifies as a political prisoner is a cause for disagreement among the Cuban opposition. There are varying opinions about who has been jailed for political reasons or not, despite the criteria established by the United Nations and other organizations that concern themselves with these matters. … Continue reading “A List of Cuban Political Prisoners / 14ymedio, Martha Beatriz Roque”

An Urgent Call for Independent Journalism in Cuba / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

The plight of journalist Valle Roca draws attention to the risks faced by independent reporters in Cuba and the complicity of the United States and other countries. Sampsonia Way Magazine, Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, 29 June 2015 — If you are an independent reporter in Cuba—that is, if you are an illegal reporter in Cuba, since the … Continue reading “An Urgent Call for Independent Journalism in Cuba / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

The Bridgettines, in the Shadows of Power / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez

14ymedio, Rosa Lopez, Havana 6 February 2015 — Discreet and elusive, donning gray habits and cross-adorned veils, they attend mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Pinar del Río. The three nuns, originally from India, belong to the Order of the Most Holy Savior of Saint Bridget headed by the Italian religious … Continue reading “The Bridgettines, in the Shadows of Power / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez”

Rise and Fall of a Diocese / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez

14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez, Pinar del Rio, 26 March 2015 – “How much everything has changed! How gorgeous the Cathedral is with those add-ons!” exclaimed a Catholic layman on returning to visit his native Pinar del Rio after three decades of exile. The improvement of the infrastructure of the diocese, which started with the arrival … Continue reading “Rise and Fall of a Diocese / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez”

SILVIA CORBELLE BATISTA / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Silvia and State Security Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo They arrested her twice, both times violently. All for walking at my side in the streets of a Havana almost at the point of the Cadaver-in-Chief of Fidel Castro. She’s called Silvia. My Silvia. They threw her out of her first job as a dentist, in the … Continue reading “SILVIA CORBELLE BATISTA / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

On the Bad Death of a Good Man / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

PLASTIC TEARS Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo In the Boniato jail, in Santiago de Cuba, a physically impaired man, a common prisoner (for me no prisoner is common), Norge Cervantes, blind, said in farewell to Antonio Villarreal, one of the 75 prisoners of the Black Spring with which Fidel Castro reacted to the Varela Project:  ”The … Continue reading “On the Bad Death of a Good Man / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Who Are You, Little Virgin? / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Poor little doll made of tinsel and wood, so battered across the long and narrow stretch of thousands and thousands of kilometers. Last night, I saw her in Lawton, and it was daunting. Because of her, and because of the bleak surroundings.  A neighborhood polluted from the disposition of its inhabitants to the sky that … Continue reading “Who Are You, Little Virgin? / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Taken Out of the Closet, But No One Asks Forgiveness / Reinaldo Cosano

By Reinaldo Cosano. Havana, Cuba Posted in the blog of Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada The veil covering violent homophobic repression is slowly being drawn back, but the gulity aren’t asking for public pardon. It is hard to specify just how the virus of homophobic repression was incubated, sharp-eyed with the machismo of the days … Continue reading “Taken Out of the Closet, But No One Asks Forgiveness / Reinaldo Cosano”

On your marks… get set: GET OUT! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo #Cuba

While the entire government of Bolivarian Venezuela moves its necrophilic headquarters to Havana, the people of Cuba use the Raul regime’s reforms to sell their cars and houses in exchange for a passport and visa to any other place, with the bonus-track of an airline ticket. The first, is called annexation; the second plebiscite (in … Continue reading “On your marks… get set: GET OUT! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo #Cuba”

Christian Life Turns 50 to Congratulations From Coexistence / Intra Muros #Cuba

On the evening of November 4th some members of the Coexistence team had the privilege of being invited to participate in the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Christian Life. The occasion brought together many at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where there was a mass presided over by the Cardinal of … Continue reading “Christian Life Turns 50 to Congratulations From Coexistence / Intra Muros #Cuba”

Payá, Posthumous President / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

The trashed cityscape reaches all the way to the gate of the parish, in the arid Cerro neighborhood. “The Savior of the World,” says the sign, so distant from the desert outside, beyond the gates. And one thinks, sleepwalking before sunrise: how poor any form of expression is in this country. Dawn lingers on the … Continue reading “Payá, Posthumous President / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”