In a recent pastoral letter, the bishops of Cuba said: “Cuba is called to be a pluralistic society, the sum of many Cuban realities. Cuba is a nation of all Cubans, with their differences and aspirations. There must be the right to diversity in its thinking, creativity and the search for truth. From diversity comes the need for dialogue.

“We Cubans are called to enjoy that freedom desired by God that allows man to obtain for himself and his family the fruits of decent work and participate in the decisions that affect his person, family, and social future.

“It is essential to also have an update with regard to political order.”

Pope: ‘A good Catholic meddles in politics’

“Politics, according to the social doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good,” Pope Francis said during a recent homily.

He rejected the idea that Christians should not be involved in political affairs. “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself,” he said.

He also asked Catholics to pray for their political leaders, even if they support immoral policies. Such prayers, he said, can help in the conversion and change of focus by the politician in question.

He argued that “a political leader who doesn’t love, cannot govern – at best, they can discipline.”

Christian persecution in Middle East decried

Commenting on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, said:

“One of these crucial challenges [in the Middle East] is undoubtedly the rise of so-called religious fundamentalism, culminating in unjustifiable acts of violence and destruction as a result of religious hatred.

“In the Middle East, even the simple admission of Christian identity places the very existence of our faithful in daily threat. These exceptionally extreme occurrences of violence and persecution against Christians cannot leave us – who are blessed to live peacefully and in some sense of security – indifferent and inactive.”

‘Please leave us alone’

Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Nicolas Antiba of Bosra and Hauran, Syria was recently quoted as saying:

“I would say to President Obama, you always talk about peace. Please leave us alone and put these ideas of peace into practice.

“You have your own idea of democracy, and it is beautiful, but it is not necessarily our idea of democracy. Let us work out our own idea of democracy.

“It is not Syrians who are fighting Syrians. Those involved in the fighting are non-Syrians.

“I believe, I know, that persecution will not destroy the Church.

“Christians have suffered very greatly. We are still suffering. It is not easy,” he added.

‘Courageous creativity’

At a recent meeting with Roman priests, Pope Francis exuded optimism, saying “the Church has never been in better shape, and is experiencing a very positive moment”.

He said the Church can overcome the impact of scandals because “holiness is greater than scandal”.

He said “he considered himself, above all, to be a priest”, adding that he was afraid of feeling more important “because the devil is cunning.”

The Pope encouraged his priests to display “courageous creativity”. For him ‘creativity’ means finding new means of presenting old truths, and new ways of helping people in need. He emphasised that both aspects are important and that a proper balance has to be found.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)