Bishop Manuel de Jes\u00fas Rodr\u00edguez of Palm Beach, Florida, advocated for greater internet access within Cuba and for Cubans to be able to exercise political freedom and freedom of expression, because this \u201cforms part of human dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dominican-born prelate made the appeal in an interview with \u201cEWTN Noticias,\u201d the Spanish-language broadcast edition of EWTN News, after a March visit to Cuba to attend the installation of Osmany Mass\u00f3 Cuesta as bishop of Bayamo-Manzanillo.<\/p>\n
Speaking with \u201cEWTN Noticias,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez addressed recent events in the Caribbean nation, including the government\u2019s Holy Week announcement that it would release more than 2,000 people from prison.<\/p>\n
The bishop stated that this was \u201ca first step toward a long-term and more stable solution.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is certainly neither the definitive nor the complete solution, but it is a sign that should be appreciated as a positive step,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He noted that this step \u201cmust be followed by other measures\u201d capable of \u201cincreasingly guaranteeing the growing integral development of Cuban men and women at the social level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Cuba,\u201d he stated, \u201ca process must take place wherein Cubans are granted increasingly greater access to the internet, where the exercise of freedom of expression is made possible, and where political freedom \u2014 naturally \u2014 can also be exercised, for that is part of human dignity.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever,\u201d he noted, \u201call of this must always proceed from an attitude of dialogue and collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the Catholic Church in Cuba, the prelate stated that in recent years, the bishops have been granted the opportunity \u201cto speak on the radio,\u201d thereby enabling them to evangelize and provide moral support to the people \u201cwithin the limitations inherent to the prevailing situation and circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Cuba, where a one-party system is imposed, the internet is monopolized by the state-owned company ETECSA. The most affordable data plan available to citizens costs 120 Cuban pesos ($5) and offers only 2 GB. In contrast, a person arriving from abroad can access a minimum plan of 10 GB, although the cost is not listed on the website.<\/p>\n
The state also holds a monopoly over print, television, and radio media. Those wishing to establish independent media outlets have the internet as their only alternative, albeit at the risk of being harassed and detained by the communist regime, as documented on March 11 by the Inter American Press Association.<\/a><\/p>\n The Catholic Church \u2018is no one\u2019s enemy\u2019<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez first visited Cuba as a young man in 1998 on the occasion of the historic apostolic journey of St. John Paul II. He returned in 1999 as a missionary and lived on the island until 2000.<\/p>\n \u201cUpon returning after 25 years, I have found a people who still possess the same faith, a people filled with hope, and a Church that has continued to grow and renew itself. However, suffering and distress in general have multiplied. When I was here more than 25 years ago, the humanitarian and social situation was already appalling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut now, the crisis has reached truly inhumane proportions \u2026 and our solidarity and response are urgently needed,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez emphasized.<\/p>\n The blackouts and shortages of food and medicine plaguing the island intensified starting in January, after the United States effectively stopped oil shipments from Mexico and Venezuela, a measure that has further complicated daily life, affecting, among other things, transportation, the accumulation of trash on the streets, and foreign tourism.<\/p>\n And although a Russian vessel arrived in late March carrying 730,000 barrels of oil and the U.S. government is sending donations to be distributed by Caritas Cuba, this is not enough.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez therefore called upon the Cuban authorities to understand that the Catholic Church \u201cis no one\u2019s enemy,\u201d for it is not married \u201cto any ideology or to any political party\u201d but rather preaches \u201cJesus Christ and his message of love, fraternity, respect for human dignity, peace, and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy working with the Church, they will be safeguarding the dignity of the Cuban people and will also be collaborating in a deliberate process aimed at implementing measures to restore the people\u2019s dignity,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, I invite the authorities of Cuba \u2014 the government of Cuba \u2014 not to be afraid to collaborate\u201d with the Church, Rodr\u00edguez urged, who assured that \u201cwe, the Catholic bishops of the United States, are here to support the bishops of Cuba in whatever is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n