Three Cuban bishops met with His Holiness, Pope Francis, this Monday in the city of Rome, Italy. The Holy Father received Monseñor Emilio Aranguren Echeverría, bishop of Holguín and president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, along with Monseñor Arturo González Amador, bishop of Santa Clara, and Monseñor Juan de Dios Hernández Ruiz, bishop of Pinar del Río, as reported by the Communications Office of the Diocese of Holguín via Facebook.
During the meeting, which lasted more than half an hour, the Pope recalled his visit to Cuba, which took place from September 19 to 22, 2015, coinciding with the Year of Mercy. He also mentioned that the tenth anniversary of his visit would coincide with the Jubilee Year in 2025, the source reported. As is customary, His Holiness asked for prayers and sent his greetings to the Cuban people through the prelates.
Monseñor Aranguren shared his impressions of the meeting, commenting, "He doesn't seem to have returned just two days ago from such a long journey in distance and time." Pope Francis had recently completed a 12-day visit to four countries in Asia and Oceania: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, marking the longest international Apostolic Journey of his pontificate. Despite this, he told the Cuban bishops that he recovers quickly.
Father Ariel Suárez, assistant secretary and spokesman for the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba (COCC), informed Diario de Cuba that the delegation discussed with the Pope the "life of the Catholic Church in Cuba, its challenges, projects, and hopes, as well as the recent celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Charity."
Another topic addressed during the meeting was the concern over the decrease in priestly and religious vocations, as well as the impact of increasing emigration on the Cuban population, which also affects priests and deacons. The COCC spokesman emphasized that the closure of houses of religious congregations in various dioceses, a problem that directly affects the Church's presence and work in different regions of the country, was discussed.
The deteriorating condition of many vehicles belonging to priests and pastoral agents, combined with the difficulties in obtaining fuel, has significantly limited pastoral activities, especially in the most remote areas of Cuba.
Last August, Mons. Antoine Camilleri, the new representative of Pope Francis in Cuba, was received by the island’s bishops during a ceremony. The new Apostolic Nuncio, originally from Malta, had previously been in Cuba in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Vatican diplomatic mission in Havana and returned to the Caribbean country after 18 years, according to ACI Prensa.
Key Points from Pope Francis' Meeting with Cuban Bishops
Here are some frequently asked questions about the recent meeting between Pope Francis and the Cuban bishops, covering key topics such as the challenges facing the Catholic Church in Cuba and the Pope's recent travels.
What were the main topics discussed during the meeting?
The main topics included the life of the Catholic Church in Cuba, its challenges, projects, hopes, the decrease in religious vocations, the impact of emigration, and the deteriorating condition of vehicles used by pastoral agents.
How long did the meeting last?
The meeting lasted more than half an hour.
What did Pope Francis mention about his previous visit to Cuba?
Pope Francis recalled his visit to Cuba in 2015, coinciding with the Year of Mercy, and mentioned that the tenth anniversary of his visit would coincide with the Jubilee Year in 2025.