Catholic Church
calls for prayers for health of Cuban President
HAVANA, August 4 (PL).—The Conference of
Catholic Bishops of Cuba (COCC) called today on its
congregation to pray for the recovery of President
Fidel Castro, who announced that he had undergone
surgery last Monday.
In a letter to all Catholics in the country, the
COCC asked communities "to offer prayers so that God
accompanies President Fidel Castro in his illness
and illuminates those who have provisionally
received the responsibilities of government."
Last Monday, the head of state addressed a
proclamation to the people in which he provisionally
delegated his functions as the head of state and
government, the Communist Party, and the
Revolutionary Armed Forces to First Vice President
Raúl Castro, due to health problems.
He also delegated his functions in heath,
education, and energy conservation programs to other
governmental authorities.
Due to stress from excessive work and activities
in the past weeks, the leader suffered an acute
intestinal crisis with bleeding that required
surgical intervention, according to his own words in
the July 31 proclamation.
Regarding this, the Catholic hierarchy stated
that "the delicate state of health from which the
President is suffering (…) constitutes an especially
significant moment for our people."
"The Catholic Church, as part of this community,
shares this concern and the petitions of all its
followers," continues the text, at the same time
invoking the Virgin de la Caridad del Cobre.
To the Cuban Patron Saint, continues the
communiqué, "We confide everything that concerns us
at this time in our country’s history with a
profound wish for peace and fraternal coexistence
among all Cubans."
The document, which the COCC asked to be read out
next Sunday at masses offered around the island,
also alerts that the prevailing stability and social
harmony in Cuba "cannot be disturbed by any internal
or external situation."
