NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      HAVANA (CWNews.com) - A Cuban Catholic publication that disappeared two years ago after its first issue reappeared this week with the promise of becoming a "regular voice for the Catholic Church" in Cuba.

      A new edition of Aqui La Iglesia (Here, the Church), which appeared for the first -- and last -- time in early 1996 as the official newsletter of the Archdiocese of Havana, was distributed last Sunday in several city parishes with a new design and a special column by Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino.

      "From now on, this will be a regular publication that will exist as a permanent contact between the Chancery and Catholics in the city," said Eduardo Meza, the lay editor of Aqui La Iglesia. Meza explained that the shortage of paper and ink in the country -- which has forced even official publications to reduce their number of pages or their frequency -- made it impossible for the archdiocese to continue the publication. But they now have a reliable source of stock to ensure continuity, Meza said.

      In his first column, Cardinal Ortega made a strong defense for the Cuban family, saying: "Family rights sprout from its own nature as the first and fundamental cell of society. Therefore, these rights are not given by the state, the United Nations, or any other organization." The cardinal also said that the fact that many fathers leave their families for long periods -- for the "voluntary field work organized by the regime" -- divides the Cuban family and makes its development and growth difficult. "The Church does not oppose community work, but believes it should be reconciled with family life," the cardinal said.

      Meza said Aqui La Iglesia will be distributed on a monthly basis in all Catholic parishes in Havana