Havana Archbishopric Says Occupation of Church is Illegal

The Archbishopric of Havana termed illegal and irresponsible the occupation of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity by several people. It stresses that no one has the right to turn temples into political trenches or disturb the spirit of celebration of the Cuban faithful.
A press release from the Archbishopric of Havana denounces that this is a prepared, coordinated strategy devised by groups in several regions of the country with the purpose to triggering critical situations as Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba nears.

It stresses that no one has the right to turn temples into political trenches or disturb the spirit of celebration of the Cuban faithful and many other citizens because of the upcoming arrival of the Pope to Cuba on March 26.

The message also makes clear that any act that attempts to turn the temple into a public political demonstration, with open disregard for the priest’s authority or the right of most of the people that go there is certainly an illegal, irresponsible act.

This is not a casual, but a well planned event, Spokesperson for the Archbishopric of Havana, Orlando Marquez, denounced in the note.

He also stressed that “the Church pays attention to all, welcomes all, and also intercedes for all, but it cannot accept any attempt that distorts the nature of its mission.”

According to this message, a group of 13 persons occupied the said parish church to demand being received by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Cuba, on March 26-28, with masses scheduled for Santiago de Cuba and Havana.

Taken from Prensa Latina