Cuba makes Good Friday a national holiday
April 16, 2014
Cuba has declared Good Friday a national holiday, to be observed every year.
After years of official atheism, Cuba recognized Good Friday as a holiday in 2012, in response to a special request made by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the island nation earlier that year. Last year, Good Friday was again recognized as a holiday, and for the first time the government-controlled television network broadcast services led by Cardinal Jaime Ortega at Havana’s cathedral.
This year, the government has issued a new directive making Good Friday a holiday “every year,” explicitly linking the day off work with the Christian holy day.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Apr. 17, 2014 11:42 PM ET USA
Minnesota Mary said "...while the U.S. government seems to be trying to stamp it out." SEEMS TO BE TRYING? How many Catholic service organizations devoted to the corporal works of mercy have been forced to close down by new government regulations and coercion? The Catholic hospital in my city was ended by a merger. Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Apr. 17, 2014 3:11 AM ET USA
Isn't it interesting that Russia and Cuba are promoting Christianity while the U.S. government seems to be trying to stamp it out?
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Posted by: Thomas429 -
Apr. 17, 2014 2:22 AM ET USA
A cause for hope. Communism and Christianity do not mix well.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Apr. 16, 2014 6:24 PM ET USA
Why do we find ex-Communists like Putin and card-carrying current Communists like the Cubans behaving more like Christians than our leaders in the supposed Christian West? Every day I'm less enchanted by the blessings of "freedom" and "liberty".
