Comments for My Non-trip to Cuba at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 13 out of 13 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sun, 19 May 2013 03:49:39 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10685 Henry, which "protestant" sect got you? - billy Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:38:29 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10648 Deja vu. Once again (as with the Nazis and the Soviet Union, et al), when face-to-face with moral depravity, the moral teachings of a Church dedicated to love and charity, could be heard in no other terms but vague generalities. The Pope, guided by Reasons of State, which was wrong, compromised the Church's pastoral role by not bearing witness to her moral essence. In the scheme of things, Catro's regime may not amount to much-- except to the 11 million souls who live there. But if mankind is ever faced with the moral challenges of the enormity presented by Hitler and Stalin-- and we most surely will-- let us hope and pray it will have firmer moral guidance. - david Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:52:29 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10644 Yes, it's true JPII never met with dissidents but in 1998 no one was claiming how much freer the Church was either. We own the pope and the Cuban bishops some deference in making these decisions. But we also owe them, ourselves, and the truth an obligation to make sure that diplmacy and prudence don't betray those who put their lives on the line for freedom and justice. Renewal of the Church will help lead to renewal of Cuba. And that renewal cannot be limited to a few government-permitted liberties. Clare: you've bought the lie of the Cuban government. They say Cuba was impoverished before the revolution because of exploitation by the U.S. Now they're saying they're impoverished because they're disconnected from the U.S. During th Cold War, they got $5 billion a year from the USSR and still couldn't feed their people on an island with rich soil. The US has many faults and is guilty of some outrages in the world, but theis is not one of them. Henry, that's a baseless slander about Ratzinger and Nazism, and I think even you know it. - Robert Royal Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:55:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10642 Happy for your concern for Cuba's dissenters. Did ever occur to you that much of their suffering may be induced by ... us? Did you not hear the Pope's critique of the ongoing irrational and uncharitable American embargo? - Clare Krishan Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:04:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10641 Sadly this pope has proven that murderous and repressive regimes don't make uncomfortable. In his youth and now in Cuba. - Henry Gomez Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:44:49 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10639 But Mr. Royal, Pope John Paul never met with the dissidents in Cuba either, so it seems inappropriate to imply that Pope Benedict lacks his courage. In fact, most agree that Benedict's words were even stronger than anything JP2 said on his historic trip. In my opinion, he did the best that he could possibly do under the circumstances and I have no doubt that this will eventually bear fruit. - Anna Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:40:02 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10625 The article suggests that the Pope should had met with dissidents. I question, however, whether the Cuban government would allow such a meeting. I was born in Cuba and lived there during the beginning of the revolution. As we all know, the Cuban Revolution is no friend of Christianity and it imposes its tyrannical will on all those living there. I thank God everyday that I left Cuba. - Rene Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:10:05 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10621 I'm happy to provide an update (the pope must have read TCT this morning). The Associated Press has just reported (2PM) that the pope said during the final homily in Havana: "Cuba and the world need change, but this will occur only if each one is in a position to seek the truth and chooses the way of love, sowing reconciliation and fraternity," he said. With the country's leadership listening from front-row seats, Benedict issued his strongest denunciation of religious intolerance yet in Cuba, referring to the Biblical account of how people persecuted by the Babylonian king "preferred to face death by fire rather than betray their conscience and their faith." On the other hand, the Ladies in White (a women's dissident group) has not been heard from in days. I understand anyone who wants to defend Benedict, but we have the example of JPII an Communism to help guide us. Failure to confront tyrants never really works. I'm glad the pope made this final move. It just would have been better if he had shown some concrete solidarity with Cubans now exhibiting bravery, the kind of people he reminds us existed in Babylon. - Robert Royal Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:05:40 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10620 I think even Mr. Royal must realize that he doesn't have all the information that was available to Pope Benedict when he made his decision to see/not to see the dissidents. At some point I would choose to assume that the Pope acted in good faith, and had a proportionate, good reason to decide in the manner he did. I am disappointed that Mr. Royal could not do the same! - Rob Federle Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:02:13 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10617 We are all, of course, aware of the complex situation in Cuba and, most of the time, I would look to the local bishops to make decisions. But there are strange reports from sober and realistic people who have been in Cuba recently, whom I've met with personally in the last weeks, and whose overall judgments I trust. When Lech Walesa, who's been in the trenches, encourages the pope to be bold and meet with critics of the regime, as he has, maybe he thinks something stronger needs to happen despite the risks and possible backlash. The dissidents themselves are certainly willing to take risks. - Robert Royal Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:23:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10616 There can be no accommodation with evil. The Cuban regime is evil. Therefor there can be no accommodation with the Cuban regime. - Ray Hunkins Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:35:23 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10614 The author makes many good points, I would just add that meeting dissidents may have the reverse effect of what is intended. It may just provide more fuel for the fire of anti-Catholicism and validate in the minds of officials their claim that the Church is a seditious group. The Communists are violent thugs who do not listen to reason and are ready to crack down at the slightest hint of offense... - pgk Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:17:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/my-non-trip-to-cuba.html#comment-10613 It does, I hope, no harm to repeat something that is certainly well known and understood by the writer. Pope Benedict has, throughout his long service to the Church, made clear his understanding that God himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will act in many and diverse ways, enlightening the minds of those who pray. The absence of overt statements and actions may indicate his faith that, while Benedict is helping others to prepare the ground, God himself will give the increase. - Bangwell Putt Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:43:41 +0100