The Politics of Religion in Cuba

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 26—A massive Protestant rally in Havana, Cuba, on June 20 may have been designed with a couple of objectives in mind, according to staff writers Margaret Ramirez and Alex Garcia.

The rally, attended by President Fidel Castro and other government leaders, was held in the same place where an estimated 500,000 people gathered in January 1998 for a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II.

“Church leaders … said the celebration signaled a religious reinvigo-ration on the island nation that is reaching beyond Catholicism into Cuba's other faith communities,” said the Times.

It was also meant to have a social impact. “As the economic situation has worsened in Cuba, religious scholars say that there has been an increased turning to faith … In a 1994 poll conducted by CID-Gallup of Costa Rica, 20% of Cubans said they had attended church in the past month,” said the Times reporters.

They added: “Several Cuban church leaders also believe the Communist government is using religious rallies as a way of lobbying the United States government to end the U.S. trade embargo, which religious leaders in many faiths have criticized.

Brazilian Priest is a Controversial Star

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 25—“At age 32, Padre Marcelo, as the faithful here call him, has emerged as the driving force and main symbol of the Charismatic [Renewal] that is transforming the face of Catholicism in the world's most populous Catholic nation,” reported Larry Rohter from Sao Paolo.

A former weight lifter and gym instructor, Father Marcelo Rossi is famous for his exuberant charismatic liturgies and his gift for singing. “His debut CD has sold more than three million copies,” said Rohter. “He also has his own daily TV program and is one of the most sought-after guests on Sunday television variety programs because his appearance automatically drives ratings up.”

Rossi discovered a desire for the priesthood following the death of a cousin and an aunt's diagnosis with cancer. “And once I came back I fell in love with Catholicism and my faith grew and grew,” said Father Rossi. That love was fed by his admiration for Pope John Paul II, “who had been an actor and athlete as young man, full of strength and vigor.”

Fundamentalist Protestants — whose numbers are growing rapidly in Brazil — “complain vociferously that he has copied their preaching style and even their musical repertory,” said Rohter.

“Liberation theology advocates with the Church here have criticized him too, though most indirectly,” added Rohter. Sao Felix do Araguaia Bishop Pedro Casaldaliga, whom Rohter described as “combatively progressive,” chose to make his comments along liturgical lines. “The Eucharist is not a show,” said the bishop.

Britain Discriminates Against Religious Radio

NEWSROOM, June 15—The United Christian Broadcasters are upset over a policy that bans mainland religious stations — but not secular broadcasters — from transmitting programming to the entire nation, according to the British trade publication.

Local religious stations are allowed to transmit from Britain, but national religious stations must broadcast by satellite from offshore locations, such as the Isle of Man.

Cars and portable radios can't pick up those transmissions, severely limiting the number of listeners, said the Christian Broadcasters.

They say the 10-year-old policy puts Britain in the same league as China and Saudi Arabia regarding religious freedom. The group failed earlier this month to persuade Broadcast Minister Janet Anderson to lift the restrictions, and now plan to take the case before the European Court of Human Rights.

Britain is a signatory of the European Convention of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression and religion.

Britain's Department of Culture says the policy is fair because new stations should be aimed at the tastes of the majority. “We believe our position is valid and right, and we are satisfied that the present broadcasting acts are compliant with the European Convention of Human Rights.”