FRICTION BETWEEN CHURCH AND CASTRO REGIME INCREASING

Created: 7/20/1960

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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Between Church and Castro Regime Increasing

In his television speech ofuly. Premier Fidel Castro denounced the "counterrevolutionaryf "Falangist" priests whom he accused of being responsible for theanti-Communist demonstrations by Havanaonnduly. Castro said that "the reactionary clergy has not been bothered" by his regime and declared that "the people must not permit themselves to be dragged into the game" by counterrevolutionary demonstrators. The charges of the Cuban leader, who interrupted his convalescence to deliver the blast, indicate the regime's concern with increasing evidences of church opposition to the government's growing economic and political ties with the Communist world. fUS Ambassador Bonsai feels that Soviet Premieruly statement offor Cuba haserious blow to the Castro regime in that, by clarifying any doubt regarding the Communistof the government, it has put Castro on the defensive/}

Despite the publication last Maytronglypastoral letter by the archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, mosi church authorities have hesitated toirm public stand against Castro or his policies. Church officials previously have admitted that they have only limited influence with the Cubanand that, unless careful preparations were made, most Cubans would support Castro in the eventhowdown between him and the church. Divergent attitudes toward Castro by the large number of Spanish-born priests in Cuba and the native Cuban clergy may also hinder church unity on the question.

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The Catholic hierarchy's determination to oppose the Castro regime openly may be hardened by the governments use of force

-Communist demonstrations onndbassador Bonsai, the incidents have cre->re within influential Catholic lay circles.

Original document.

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