Orthodox patriarch praises Cuban dedication to environment

Saturday, January 24, 2004

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Bartholomew I, the Orthodox ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople and spiritual leader of the 300 million strong orthodox community worldwide, Thursday paid homage to the Cuban government's environmental protection policies.

The patriarch arrived here Wednesday, welcomed by President Fidel Castro, on a five-day visit, the first time a leader of the Orthodox Church has visited Latin America.

At a press conference on the second day of his visit, the patriarch hailed the "conscience and sensitivity of the Cuban people and their leaders" to problems of the environment.

With Castro, Cuban scientists and professors, and Orthodox pilgrims in attendance, the patriarch lauded Cuba as "a country that possesses magnificent ecological qualities, well preserved. We hope it will serve as an example for other nations,"

Bartholomew I, known as the "green patriarch" for his concern with the environment, has for several years been a gadfly prodding political leaders around the world to be more mindful of the Earth's ecosystems.

The Orthodox Church, he said, "does not limit itself to only giving speeches about this. We have also held seminars and summits in Europe to sensitize humanity" to the subject.

"We must work on prevention and thus assure the future for coming generations threatened by deforestation, air pollution, water seepage and erosion," he said.

During his visit, the patriarch of Constantinople was to consecrate the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Havana, built especially by the Cuban government "as an offering from the Cuban people" to the Orthodox Church.

He was also to award Castro with the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle.

The Cuban community has 2,000 to 3,000 orthodox believers, mostly of Slavic, Russian and Ukrainian origin. 

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