http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/17jun-Vatican.html
Havana. June 17, 2010
Cuba and the Vatican celebrate the
75th anniversary of uninterrupted diplomacy
RESPECT and cordiality were highlighted last night at the concert commemorating
75 years of diplomatic links between Cuba and the Holy See. The event was
attended by Vice President Esteban Lazo Hernández and Monsignor Dominique
Mamberti, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.
Esteban Lazo, Monsignor Mamberti,
Bruno Rodríguez and
Cardinal Jaime Ortega at the
commemorative event.
"La Misa Cubana" by José María Vitier highlighted the musical evening, which
was also attended by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Cardinal Jaime
Ortega Alamino, archbishop of Havana; Monsignor Giovanni Angelo Becciu, the
apostolic nuncio; and Caridad Diego Bello, director of the Religious Affairs
Office of the Central Committee.
Also present were bishops and other representatives of the Catholic Church;
Eusebio Leal Spengler, Havana City historian; and eminent Cuban artists and
intellectuals and invited guests.
The "profound, continuing and ascending relations" between the two countries
were emphasized by the Cuban foreign minister and Monsignor Mamberti during a
press conference on Wednesday morning after official talks. At the same time
they both praised the growing and fruitful dialogue between the Cuban Catholic
Church and government authorities.
Bruno Rodríguez commented on the honor it is for our people to receive
Monsignor Mamberti in the framework of the 75th anniversary of uninterrupted
ties between both states. In response, the Archbishop said that he was happy to
make this official and pastoral visit, and predicted a progressive
strengthening of the ties established June 7, 1935.
Alluding to the U.S. blockade of the Island, Rodríguez thanked his counterpart
for the Vatican position, expressed in the earlier visits of Pope John Paul II
and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who described that policy as "ethically
unacceptable" and "oppression of the people," respectively.
Before the press conference, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States
placed a wreath at the monument to José Martí in Plaza de la Revolución. .
Translated by Granma International
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http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/21jun-Monsignor-Mamberti.html
Havana. June 21, 2010
Monsignor Mamberti grateful for demonstrations of affection and cordiality
Anneris Ivette Leyva
MONSIGNOR Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States of the Holy
See, expressed his appreciation of the intensive social care provided as an
essential part of the Cuban Revolution by the former Nuestra Señora de Belén
Convent, now the headquarters of the Humanitarian Affairs Department attached
to the Havana City Historian's Office.
The visitor touring the former
convent building.
During a tour of the convent facilities, accompanied by Eusebio Sentí, European
director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Eusebio Leal Spengler, city
historian; Cardinal Jaime Ortega, archbishop of Havana; and Giovanni Angelo
Becciu, the apostolic nuncio, Monsignor Mamberti witnessed the profoundly
humane work underway in every part of the center.
"I am very happy to be here on my last day in Cuba, and to be able to convey to
you the greetings that Pope Benedict XVI asked me to transmit to the people.
This is an appropriate occasion to thank everybody for all the demonstrations
of cordiality and affection that I have received here," Monsignor Mamberti
affirmed.
"My memories of this meeting will always be in my heart and in my prayers," he
added.
Among the convent's facilities, aimed at alleviating the needs of the elderly,
children, young people and those with physical or psychological disabilities,
the visitors were particularly impressed by the ophthalmological, optometry and
rehabilitation services, where older adults are treated for visual problems;
the physiotherapy section; and the craft workshops.
The Vilma Niña infants day care center, basically working with families with
different social problems, and the one housing children and accompanying adults
coming to the capital to receive wheelchairs, were other places in which the
excellent and loving treatment given by the staff was palpable, with volunteer
workers providing a strong core.
On Sunday evening, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla and the Apostolic
Nuncio in Cuba accompanied Monsignor Mamberti to José Martí International
Airport. The Vatican representative described his meeting with President Raúl
Castro as very positive and thanked the Cuban and ecclesiastical authorities
for their warm reception throughout his "unforgettable trip.
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