For the first time in almost four decades, a senior Roman Catholic churchman in Cuba has given an address on the country's state-controlled television. The address by Cardinal Jaime Ortega is part of the preparations for the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Communist-ruled island in a week's time. From Havana, Tom Gibb reports:

The address on state television is unprecedented in Cuba's formerly atheist state. The years after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 were ones of considerable conflict with the Church, but this decade has seen a thaw and a religious revival leading to the Papal visit.

For some time now the Church has been pushing to get direct access to the media, which is jealously guarded by the Communist Party. The government clearly fears that such access could be used against it. In the past, the Church has publicly criticized the government's human-rights record - in particular, the imprisonment of opponents.

In his half-hour live address, Cardinal Ortega spoke about Pope John Paul II's beliefs and philosophy. He talked of the right to life, health and education, saying that rights of man could not be addressed selectively. He then said that the Pope believes in liberty based on truth and urged people to seek the truth.

However, he said nothing more explicitly critical of the government. At present, both the Church and the government seem anxious for the Papal visit to go smoothly.

In particular, both have been playing down any suggestion that the Papal visit could herald major changes on the island.
 

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