Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Pope's Credibility On The Line With Cuba Visit: Expert

Pope's Credibility On The Line With Cuba Visit: Expert
News broke over the weekend that the pope wanted to see Fidel Castro
By Hank Tester
Monday, Feb 20, 2012 | Updated 9:28 PM EST

A South Florida religion expert said on Monday that the credibility of
Pope Benedict XVI is on the line with his visit to Cuba. Daniel Alvarez,
professor of religion at Florida International University, spoke to NBC
6 Miami.The pope arrives in Cuba March 26.

A South Florida religion expert said on Monday that the credibility of
Pope Benedict XVI is on the line with his visit to Cuba. Daniel Alvarez,
professor of religion at Florida International University, spoke to NBC
6 Miami.The pope arrives in Cuba March 26.
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A South Florida religion expert said on Monday that the credibility of
Pope Benedict XVI is on the line with his visit to Cuba.

"The creditability of this pope is on the line. According to many
observers myself included, the church has done a very poor job of
influencing events in Cuba," Daniel Alvarez, professor of religion at
Florida International University.

News broke over the weekend that the pope wanted to see Fidel Castro
while in Cuba. Fidel Castro is no longer head of state and he was
excommunicated by the church in the 1960s.

But does he want to get back into the church? Give a confession? Alvarez
said he wouldn't be surprised.

"Maybe this pope is willing to change the character of that relationship
and insist on some substantive change. In other words, releasing
political prisoners might not be enough for this pope, he wants more,"
Alvarez said.
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As the workers continue on preparing for what is shaping up as a
potential watershed event in the church-state relationship, the pope
faces challenges.

"Will he simply continue the policy of accommodation, essentially,
timidly towards the regime and to seek gains for the church or will this
pope take a much more active role?" Alvarez said.

The pope arrives in Cuba March 26 and will be in Havana a day later.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/politics/Popes-Credibility-On-The-Line-With-Cuba-Visit-Expert-139751573.html

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