USCCB committee chair calls for full US diplomatic relations with Cuba
September 27, 2013
The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace has called upon the Obama administration to establish full diplomatic relations with Cuba.
“It is long past due that the United States establishes full diplomatic relations with Cuba, withdraws all restrictions on travel to Cuba, rescinds terrorist designations aimed at Cuba, encourages trade that will benefit both nations, and facilitates cooperation in the areas of environmental protection, drug interdiction and scientific exchanges,” said Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines in a letter to National Security Advisor Susan Rice.
“More engagement will help the people of Cuba achieve greater freedom, human rights and religious liberty,” he added.
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Further information:
- Bishop Pates Joins Cuban Bishops’ Appeal For End To U.S. Embargo (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
- Cuba’s bishops call for political reforms (CWN, 9/17)
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Posted by: impossible -
Sep. 28, 2013 10:35 PM ET USA
So many non-essential political pronouncements to make, so little time. Just think how much better off our culture, nation and Church would be if only our bishops had for the last 50-60 years concentrated on the mission of the Church for which they were ordained rather than upon matters of prudential judgment about which faithful Catholics may properly disagree.
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Sep. 28, 2013 4:47 PM ET USA
No, we've been down the "engagement" road once before, with China, and after 40 years of it, the Communist Party is still in control and the Church is still under persecution. Why is it so hard for American Catholic bishops to understand that what Cuba and every other communist country needs most is an end to communism?
