Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Vatican foreign minister, en route to Cuba

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s foreign minister, will visit in Cuba in June and will participate in a conference organized by the Cuban Catholic church. (See AP’s story and a press release from the Peace and Justice Commission of the Havana archdiocese.)

The “social week” taking place June 16-20 is the tenth conference of this type. It will begin with a talk on “The State and Laity” by Archbishop Mamberti in the ceremonial lecture hall of the University of Havana. It will feature discussions on topics such as the church’s pastoral work, the need for dialogue and reconciliation, and challenges facing the Cuban economy. The press release notes that some participants will be from “the diaspora,” and for the first time non-Catholics will be invited to make presentations.

Meanwhile, the Damas de Blanco are expressing hope for prisoner releases during the Archbishop’s visit (see AFP story here).

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