Cuba USA
April 4, 2012
Havana, Cuba, Apr 4, 2012 / 04:09 pm (CNA).- Cuban doctor and former political prisoner Oscar Elias Biscet noted that while Pope Benedict's recent visit to the country was a success, religious freedom among the island's people remains stifled.
In an interview with Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, Biscet said the Pope's March 25-28 trip to Cuba was immensely beneficial “from a spiritual and religious point of view.”
But he argued that the Communist regime in Cuba manipulates circumstances in their favor and will most likely “ensure this visit benefited them more than those who are suffering.”
Biscet, who was imprisoned for more than a decade over his opposition to abortion, said that although government has shown a slight amount of “permissiveness” in recent years for Catholics who wish to practice their faith, “you still have to be careful about what you say in church.”
Ultimately, “there is no religious freedom because it is forbidden to preach in public,” he said.
Biscet recalled Blessed John Paul II's visit to the country in 1998, saying that the “government took advantage of it and did not follow through on its word to the Pope.”
“During these fourteen years, the world has opened up to the Cuban government, but this government has not opened up to the world or to its people.”
The Cuban doctor also criticized the Raul Castro government for misinforming the people by claiming there are similarities between Marxism and Christianity, when they are both “polar opposites.”
Communism, he said, “is hatred for religion, for God and for God’s creation. The foundation of Communism is atheism.”
“They claim to be defending the poor and that is totally false,” Biscet continued. “One of the pillars of Communism is taking away the freedom of citizens.”
“If you take human rights and basic freedoms away from citizens, you transgress God, because God is freedom,” he said. “God is total justice, he is love in all it magnitude. Christianity and Communism have nothing in common.”
Biscet was arrested in 1999 for denouncing abortions in Cuba. The practice is legal there in cases of fetal deformation, rape or life of the mother, “but they violate this law and abortion is seen as a contraceptive,” he said.
“I conducted a study on one type of abortion that is performed after the 16th week and in 9 percent of the cases, the babies were born alive and they were killed. I recorded the testimonies of the mothers, I brought them to the government and Fidel Castro became furious.
One month later he ordered I be put in prison and even claimed I was mentally ill,” Biscet recalled. In 2011 he was finally freed due to the mediation of local Church leaders.
Biscet said that although political change in Cuba is very difficult, advancement for the country is still possible after decades of Communist rule.
“For 53 years fear has been instilled in the people and they have not expressed themselves, but when there is a double mindset: one real and one based on fear, it’s only one more step to freedom and to acquire one’s true personality, because when you know the truth, the truth will set you free. When you know the truth, you change,” Biscet said.
- Oscar's First Press Conference Today At 10:30 Am
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- Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize
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Letter To The Pope Everyone I know this is reaching a bit, but since the vatican has mentioned that the Pope might visit Cuba, a mention of the political prisoners and the " real" situation in Cuba is merited. Santo Padre, This is a letter to wish you...
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Request Here is a letter from El Cafe Cubano to Fr. Frank Pavone(Priests for Life): Fr. Frank Pavone, First of all I want to thank you for your passion and endless work concerning the unborn. As a Catholic I support you and the cause 100%. The reason...
Cuba USA
Oscar Biscet says religious freedom does not exist in Cuba
April 4, 2012
Havana, Cuba, Apr 4, 2012 / 04:09 pm (CNA).- Cuban doctor and former political prisoner Oscar Elias Biscet noted that while Pope Benedict's recent visit to the country was a success, religious freedom among the island's people remains stifled.
In an interview with Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, Biscet said the Pope's March 25-28 trip to Cuba was immensely beneficial “from a spiritual and religious point of view.”
But he argued that the Communist regime in Cuba manipulates circumstances in their favor and will most likely “ensure this visit benefited them more than those who are suffering.”
Biscet, who was imprisoned for more than a decade over his opposition to abortion, said that although government has shown a slight amount of “permissiveness” in recent years for Catholics who wish to practice their faith, “you still have to be careful about what you say in church.”
Ultimately, “there is no religious freedom because it is forbidden to preach in public,” he said.
Biscet recalled Blessed John Paul II's visit to the country in 1998, saying that the “government took advantage of it and did not follow through on its word to the Pope.”
“During these fourteen years, the world has opened up to the Cuban government, but this government has not opened up to the world or to its people.”
The Cuban doctor also criticized the Raul Castro government for misinforming the people by claiming there are similarities between Marxism and Christianity, when they are both “polar opposites.”
Communism, he said, “is hatred for religion, for God and for God’s creation. The foundation of Communism is atheism.”
“They claim to be defending the poor and that is totally false,” Biscet continued. “One of the pillars of Communism is taking away the freedom of citizens.”
“If you take human rights and basic freedoms away from citizens, you transgress God, because God is freedom,” he said. “God is total justice, he is love in all it magnitude. Christianity and Communism have nothing in common.”
Biscet was arrested in 1999 for denouncing abortions in Cuba. The practice is legal there in cases of fetal deformation, rape or life of the mother, “but they violate this law and abortion is seen as a contraceptive,” he said.
“I conducted a study on one type of abortion that is performed after the 16th week and in 9 percent of the cases, the babies were born alive and they were killed. I recorded the testimonies of the mothers, I brought them to the government and Fidel Castro became furious.
One month later he ordered I be put in prison and even claimed I was mentally ill,” Biscet recalled. In 2011 he was finally freed due to the mediation of local Church leaders.
Biscet said that although political change in Cuba is very difficult, advancement for the country is still possible after decades of Communist rule.
“For 53 years fear has been instilled in the people and they have not expressed themselves, but when there is a double mindset: one real and one based on fear, it’s only one more step to freedom and to acquire one’s true personality, because when you know the truth, the truth will set you free. When you know the truth, you change,” Biscet said.
- Oscar's First Press Conference Today At 10:30 Am
Havana, Cuba / Washington, D.C. / Miami, FL, March 11, 2011 - Óscar Elías Biscet González’srelease from prison in Cuba today is celebrated by the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom Now, who are joined by supporters of human rights and...
- Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize
February 11, 2011 For Immediate Release Contact: Jeremy Zucker +1 (202) 468-4648 [email protected] Washington, D.C. – Freedom Now and the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights are pleased to announce the nomination of Dr. Óscar Elías Biscet...
- Cuba: Winds Of Change
Cuba: Winds of Change By Michelle Laque Johnson If you can watch only one television program this week, make it “Cuba: Winds of Change,” an extraordinary documentary filmed undercover in Cuba as well as in the United States, and airing exclusively...
-
Letter To The Pope Everyone I know this is reaching a bit, but since the vatican has mentioned that the Pope might visit Cuba, a mention of the political prisoners and the " real" situation in Cuba is merited. Santo Padre, This is a letter to wish you...
-
Request Here is a letter from El Cafe Cubano to Fr. Frank Pavone(Priests for Life): Fr. Frank Pavone, First of all I want to thank you for your passion and endless work concerning the unborn. As a Catholic I support you and the cause 100%. The reason...