U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urges elimination of Cuba blockade
Washington.- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called on the U.S. government to lift its economic blockade of Cuba and establish full diplomatic relations with the Caribbean country.
alt“All restrictions should be systematically examined and eliminated so that the complete abolition of the embargo and its harmful effects can be achieved,” said Bishop Pates, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In his April 17 letter, Bishop Pates welcomed the eased restrictions enacted by the Obama administration last year and said that his participation in the March 26-28 visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba showed him first-hand how continuing this trend will not only improve the lives of people of both countries but also engage a trading partner that would benefit U.S. commerce.
“We hope and pray for prompt and appropriate measures to establish full diplomatic relations with Cuba and to withdraw all restriction on travel to Cuba,” the prelate concluded. /CatholicCulture.org
