Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: Walter Lippmann Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2001 5:57 PM Subject: [CubaNews] Cubans hold Mass to remember victims Cubans hold Mass to remember victims of US attacks HAVANA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Cubans moved by the terror attacks on the United States joined with American and other foreign diplomats on Sunday at a memorial Mass for victims in Havana Cathedral held by the local Roman Catholic Church. In the front pew sat members of the U.S. Interests Section -- America's diplomatic mission in Cuba where it has no formal relations with President Fidel Castro's communist government. In a sermon, Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega called for a return to godly values rather than revenge in response to the deaths of thousands when hijacked jets hit New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington on Tuesday. "Injustice always causes indignation, but justice cannot be re-established with hatred or vengeance at the risk of entering an uncontrolled spiral of vengeance," Ortega told the packed Cathedral during a somber and emotionally-charged Mass. The congregation of several thousand included regular Cuban worshippers, diplomats from most major Western and some other embassies in Havana, other foreigners living in Cuba, and a smattering of local political dissidents. Lou Nigro, acting principal officer of the U.S. Interests Section, read a lesson from the Bible, and afterwards said he was "profoundly moved" by the service and grateful for what he termed "an authentic and sincere gesture by the Cuban people standing in solidarity with the plight of the United States." There appeared to be little if any presence from Cuban officials, although the Castro government has been at pains to express its condolences throughout the week and also offered medical aid to its politically-estranged northern neighbor. One congregation member, Regis Iglesias, told Reuters he had lost his cousin -- still missing and now presumed dead -- who was working in the 103rd floor of the second tower of the World Trade Center when it was struck. "I feel united with the people of New York in their pain, and also in their impotence and rage," Iglesias said, standing quietly at the back of the Cathedral. 15:34 09-16-01 PHOTO OF CARDINAL ORTEGA: http://news.lycos.com/news/photo.asp?section=SearchResults&photoId=amdf53537&q=Cuba ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://TOPICA.COM/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
