Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A Catholic Seminary for Priests in Cuba
Cuban President Raul Castro has attended the inauguration of the first new Catholic building on the communist island in more than half a century.
Mr Castro joined priests, including Vatican officials, at a new seminary outside of the capital, Havana.
Ties between the Roman Catholic Church and state soured in the aftermath of the 1959 Cuban revolution.
Relations have eased in recent years and Church officials recently helped to broker the release of 52 dissidents.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Cuba, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, had warm words for Mr Castro and his brother Fidel during the opening of the new San Carlos and San Ambrosio seminary on Wednesday.
"In the name of the Church, I thank both the former president, as well as current President Raul Castro, who honours us with his presence, for the state's support of this work," Cardinal Ortega said.
The inauguration was also attended by senior Vatican officials and a group of bishops from the US, including Thomas Wenski, the Archbishop of Miami, which is the centre of the Cuban exile community.
Papal visit
The new seminary, where students will be trained for the priesthood, is a symbol of just how far Church-state relations have improved in recent years, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.
Raul Castro turned to the Church to broker a deal over dissidents The original seminary was taken over by the Cuban authorities in 1966 and men wanting to become priests were forced to study at an old building in Havana.
After the 1959 revolution, many priests left Cuba and Fidel Castro declared the island an atheist state, although diplomatic ties with the Vatican were never severed.
The major turning point in relations came in 1998 when Pope John Paul II was permitted to visit Cuba.
Earlier this year, President Raul Castro, facing growing international pressure, turned to the Catholic Church to help arrange the release of 52 political prisoners.
Under the agreement, the government promised to free - by 8 November - 52 political prisoners imprisoned in 2003 after a crackdown on opposition activists, government critics and commentators.
So far, 39 have flown to Spain, along with members of their families. However, seven of the 13 dissidents still in prison have rejected the Church deal because they do not want to leave Cuba.
Mr Castro joined priests, including Vatican officials, at a new seminary outside of the capital, Havana.
Ties between the Roman Catholic Church and state soured in the aftermath of the 1959 Cuban revolution.
Relations have eased in recent years and Church officials recently helped to broker the release of 52 dissidents.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Cuba, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, had warm words for Mr Castro and his brother Fidel during the opening of the new San Carlos and San Ambrosio seminary on Wednesday.
"In the name of the Church, I thank both the former president, as well as current President Raul Castro, who honours us with his presence, for the state's support of this work," Cardinal Ortega said.
The inauguration was also attended by senior Vatican officials and a group of bishops from the US, including Thomas Wenski, the Archbishop of Miami, which is the centre of the Cuban exile community.
Papal visit
The new seminary, where students will be trained for the priesthood, is a symbol of just how far Church-state relations have improved in recent years, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.
Raul Castro turned to the Church to broker a deal over dissidents The original seminary was taken over by the Cuban authorities in 1966 and men wanting to become priests were forced to study at an old building in Havana.
After the 1959 revolution, many priests left Cuba and Fidel Castro declared the island an atheist state, although diplomatic ties with the Vatican were never severed.
The major turning point in relations came in 1998 when Pope John Paul II was permitted to visit Cuba.
Earlier this year, President Raul Castro, facing growing international pressure, turned to the Catholic Church to help arrange the release of 52 political prisoners.
Under the agreement, the government promised to free - by 8 November - 52 political prisoners imprisoned in 2003 after a crackdown on opposition activists, government critics and commentators.
So far, 39 have flown to Spain, along with members of their families. However, seven of the 13 dissidents still in prison have rejected the Church deal because they do not want to leave Cuba.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Fraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen, Síol Dóchais
22 October 2010: Where To Find True Happiness
"Dear son in Jesus, you know where to find true happiness: this true happiness is found only in Him.
Work with the Heart of Jesus, and you will always be good, patient, strong, rich and wise.
Pray especially for those in misery, those who are sad or anxious, and all who are weary.
Yes, pray that they may not succumb to temptation, and that no one become discouraged.
As for you, remain the faithful servant by doing your duty fearlessly.
Always have your smile; at every moment, day or night, say: 'Whatever God gives me or takes away from me, Thy will be done!' "
Clemence Ledoux, Letter to Claude Masurel, 17 September 1939
*************************************************************
Each Fraternity priest offers Mass once a month for our benefactors - with our thanks for prayers and donations.
Fraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen
"Síol Dóchais", Ballard, Barna, Co. Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353-91-592196
Email: miq@eircom.net - for all correspondence, to subscribe/unsubscribe to "Thought of Mere" (monthly email), or to receive the "Letter to the Messengers of Mary Immaculate Queen" (quarterly magazine)
Fraternity website: www.maryimmaculatequeen.com - see "Activities" for coming events
"Dear son in Jesus, you know where to find true happiness: this true happiness is found only in Him.
Work with the Heart of Jesus, and you will always be good, patient, strong, rich and wise.
Pray especially for those in misery, those who are sad or anxious, and all who are weary.
Yes, pray that they may not succumb to temptation, and that no one become discouraged.
As for you, remain the faithful servant by doing your duty fearlessly.
Always have your smile; at every moment, day or night, say: 'Whatever God gives me or takes away from me, Thy will be done!' "
Clemence Ledoux, Letter to Claude Masurel, 17 September 1939
*************************************************************
Each Fraternity priest offers Mass once a month for our benefactors - with our thanks for prayers and donations.
Fraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen
"Síol Dóchais", Ballard, Barna, Co. Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353-91-592196
Email: miq@eircom.net - for all correspondence, to subscribe/unsubscribe to "Thought of Mere" (monthly email), or to receive the "Letter to the Messengers of Mary Immaculate Queen" (quarterly magazine)
Fraternity website: www.maryimmaculatequeen.com - see "Activities" for coming events
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
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