Raul Castro unexpectedly attends Cuban beatification

December 01, 2008

Friar Jose Olallo Valdes (1820-89), a religious of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, was beatified on Saturday in the historic city of Camaguey. President Raul Castro unexpectedly attended the beatification, which was broadcast on state television. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at the beatification.

 

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Further information:

• Castro attends Cuba’s first Catholic beatification (Reuters)
• Cuban landmark for Catholic friar (BBC)
• Blessed Jose Olallo Valdes (Holy See, Spanish)
• Cubans Recognize a Hero of Charity (Part 1) (Zenit)
• Cubans Recognize a Hero of Charity (Part 2) (Zenit)
• Beatification ceremony to take place in Cuba next Saturday (CWN, Nov. 21)