Bishop Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez of Palm Beach, Florida, advocated for greater Internet access within Cuba and enabling Cubans to exercise political liberty and freedom of expression, as it is “part of human dignity.”
The Dominican-born prelate made the appeal in an interview with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News, following a trip to Cuba in March to attend the installation of Osmany Maso Cuesta as Bishop of Bayamo-Manzanillo.
Speaking with “EWTN Noticias,” Rodriguez addressed recent events in the Caribbean nation, including the government’s Holy Week announcement that it would release more than 2,000 people from prison.
Bishop said it was “the first step toward a longer-term and more stable solution.”
“This is certainly neither definitive nor a complete solution, but it is a sign that should be appreciated as a positive step forward,” he said.
He said this step “must be followed with other measures” that “are able to guarantee the increasing integral development of Cuban men and women at the social level.”
“In Cuba,” he said, “there must be a process in which Cubans are given greater access to the Internet, where it is possible to exercise freedom of expression, and where political freedom – naturally – can also be exercised, because it is part of human dignity.”
“However,” he said, “all this must always proceed from a perspective of dialogue and cooperation.”
Regarding the Catholic Church in Cuba, the bishop said that in recent years, bishops have been given the opportunity to “speak on the radio”, enabling them to evangelize and provide moral support to the people “within the limits inherent in the current situation and circumstances.”
In Cuba, where a one-party system is in place, the Internet is monopolized by the state-owned company ETECSA. The most affordable data plan available to citizens costs 120 Cuban pesos ($5) and offers only 2 GB. Conversely, a person visiting from abroad can use a minimum 10 GB plan, although the cost is not listed on the website.
The state also has a monopoly on print, television and radio media. The Internet is the only option left for those wishing to establish independent media outlets, although they risk being harassed and detained by the communist regime, the March 11 document stated. Inter American Press Association.
Catholic Church ‘is no one’s enemy’
Rodríguez first visited Cuba as a young man in 1998 on the occasion of the historic apostolic visit of St. John Paul II. He returned as a missionary in 1999 and remained on the island until 2000.
“Returning after 25 years, I found a people who still have the same faith, a people full of hope, and a Church that is constantly growing and renewing itself. However, in general the suffering and distress have multiplied. When I was here more than 25 years ago, the humanitarian and social situation was already dire.”
“But now, the crisis has truly reached inhumane proportions … and our solidarity and response are urgently needed,” Rodriguez stressed.
Blackouts and shortages of food and medicine in the island intensified in January, after the United States effectively halted oil shipments from Mexico and Venezuela, a measure that has further complicated daily life, affecting, among other things, transportation, accumulation of garbage on the streets, and foreign tourism.
And although a Russian ship arrived in late March carrying 730,000 barrels of oil and the U.S. government is sending donations to be distributed by Caritas Cuba, it is not enough.
Rodríguez therefore called on Cuban authorities to understand that the Catholic Church is “no one’s enemy”, as it is “not affiliated with any ideology or any political party” but instead preaches “Jesus Christ and his message of love, brotherhood, respect for human dignity, peace and hope.”
“By working with the Church, they will protect the dignity of the Cuban people and will also cooperate in a deliberative process aimed at implementing measures to restore the dignity of the people,” he said.
“Therefore, I invite the Cuban authorities – the Cuban government – not to be afraid to collaborate with the Church”, urged Rodríguez, who assured that “we, the Catholic bishops of the United States, are here to support the Cuban bishops in every need.”
this story was first published By ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language affiliate of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
