Cubans Turn To Religion in Homage of Dictator Fidel Castro

12/06/2016 - 17h17

For a regime that turned its back on religion many years ago, the farewells and goodbyes to Fidel Castro in Havana had a strong connection to the sacred.

Images of the Pope in his visit to Cuba were scattered in windows throughout the Cuban capital during the days of his funeral procession and on Sunday (the 4th), many went to mass carrying images of the deceased dictator.

In the morning, Folha was at the Santa Bárbara Church in the poor neighborhood of Párraga where the Holy Namesake day was being celebrated and where the island's symbolic color is, of course, red.

In addition to the Catholic faithful, the mass was attended by followers of the Iorubá religion dressed in white and covered in necklaces.

"We are followers of both beliefs and have no problems with this, better more saints than fewer", said Aída Gomes, a local Párraga bread vendor, while laughing.

"I am a son of Che and a son of Xangô, declared Ignacio Menéndez, 28, while showing his tattoo of Che Guevara and wearing the garb of a follower of the Afro-Cuban religion.

He also said that it didn't bother him that during many years the worship of the Afro gods was considered less important.

"There is no reason to hold grudges. Today we practically have freedom of worship in this country", he concluded.

The mass, conducted by the Archbishop of Havana, Juan de la Caridad García Rodriguez, made no direct mention of Fidel, but the religious leader cited hero José Martí (1853-1985) more than once, and reinforced the role of family in helping Cuba to make it through "these days of pain that our country is passing through", condemned abortion and asked that couples walk hand in hand together.

DISAGREEMENT

When asked by a reporter at the end of the mass, the Archbishop said that he didn't want to talk about Fidel Castro.

"We have to think about those people who are here now" he said as he was shaking the hands of the faithful.

"Fidel won't be made a saint, because he himself said that he didn't want his image on statues, busts, or to be worshiped. But for sure we will think of him and request things from him during difficult moments", said Ximena González, a resident of the Párraga neighborhood.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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