SW News: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba said in a statement that on April 26 they met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the Palace of the Revolution, the official residence of the head of state. In addition, the bishops presented to the communist government their "criteria" and perspective regarding the real state of affairs on the Caribbean island.
Simultaneously, the Episcopal Secretariat General reported that the bishops' concerns and assessments of the current situation were expressed with respect, honesty, and clarity, and were not limited to specific church problems. The Cuban president addressed topics such as the Catholic Church's work, the nation's socioeconomic situation, and the reinforcing of values in society during his interaction with the bishops.
According to the president's office, the meeting was held in an environment of mutual respect, which is compatible with the revolution's attitude toward religion and its followers as well as the Cuban Constitution's provision of total religious freedom.
President Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, according to the bishops, adequately conveyed their viewpoints and future prospects on the topics they covered. The bishops expressed gratitude to government officials for the chance to speak and underlined "their commitment to the Cuban people and to everything that favors a more serene climate of peace, harmony, respect for all, and hope."
Prime Minister Cruz, Central Committee of the Party Secretariat member and Ideological Department head Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, and Central Committee of the Party Office of Attention to Religious Affairs director Caridad Diego Bello attended the meeting with the Catholic bishops.
Cuba is going through one of its worst financial crises in modern history. The crippling embargoes imposed by the United States has triggered an acute scarcity of fuel in the country. The crisis in Venezuela has resulted in the dip in the import of fuel by more than half.