Orthodox church leader leaves Cuba, ends first Latin American visit

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the Orthodox Church, ended his first visit to Latin America Monday, with goodbyes from Cuban President Fidel Castro.

The spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox believers worldwide branded the US embargo of Cuba a "historic mistake" in a sermon Sunday during the inauguration of a new cathedral in Havana.

Castro himself escorted the patriarch to the airport, where he took off for Istanbul.

Bartholomew, the titular head of all Orthodox churches, made the statement during a sermon that formed part of the five-hour ceremony to consecrate the tiny San Nicolas Cathedral in the Cuban capital.

"The blockading of peoples and countries by society in general from other nations on earth is a historic mistake," said the patriarch.

"And the problems between nations and countries, like those between people, are resolved through dialogue," he added.

He said the Orthodox Church had come to the island "to speak frankly" of that error. The patriarch added that the solution to such differences came only "through communication, such as through faithful mediation."

The United States has enforced an economic embargo against Cuba since 1961.

The patriarch also underlined the need for free public worship in Cuba.

"We hope to see in the future new temples given over to public worship. The free expression of religion faith constitutes a basic human right," he said.

Bartholomew's speech came exactly six years after a visit to the communist island by Pope John Paul II, head of the Roman Catholic church.

On January 25, 1998, the pope called on the world to open up to Cuba, and for Cuba to open up to the world.

After the sermon, Castro handed over the keys of the cathedral to the patriarch, who awarded the Cuban leader with a St. Andrew's cross, symbolizing "justice and strength."

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version