Kresta In The Afternoon

(Catholic Culture) In an address that was televised nationwide by Cuba’s government-run television, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana said that a visit to Cuba by Pope Benedict XVI later this month will “revive a sleeping faith.”

Tacitly admitting that the Catholic faith is not widely practiced in Cuba after years of Communist rule, Cardinal Ortega said that Pope’s mission is to awakens “a sleeping faith, maybe a faith that has been somewhat suppressed, but one that was present in the heart of the people.” He said that Pope Benedict’s pastoral focus during the 3-day visit, which begins March 26, will be stirring new interest in the faith in the traditionally Catholic country, as part of the Pontiff’s overall drive for a New Evangelization.