MIAMI, United States. – The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba (COCC) elected a new presidency for the 2024-2027 triennium during its 164th Ordinary Assembly, held in Havana from November 4 to 7. Arturo González Amador, bishop of Santa Clara, will assume the presidency, accompanied by Juan Gabriel Díaz Ruiz, bishop of Matanzas, as vice president, and Eloy Ricardo Domínguez Martínez, auxiliary bishop of Havana, as general secretary.
The episcopal meeting occurred a few days after the hurricanes Oscar and Raphael hit the Island, causing eight deaths and considerable material damage, according to official reports.
During their assembly, the bishops expressed their concern about the consequences of these natural phenomena, lamented the “desolate panorama” in the country and highlighted “the testimonies of charity, help and solidarity that are also palpable.”
“While the Assembly was taking place, we received news of the impacts, landslides and destruction that Hurricane Rafael has left in the areas through which it passed. “Prayer for the Cuban people and their growing needs has been a constant in these days of the episcopal meeting,” the prelates stated.
Likewise, they highlighted the work of Cáritas in the most affected areas and indicated that the organization has established links with other actors in society “to achieve more effective recovery action.”
At the internal level of the Church, the assembly approved a new version of the “Manual of Procedures for the Prevention of Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults,” taking into account the recent recommendations and modifications issued by the Holy See.
The bishops also delved into various “ideas and initiatives to develop” in view of the Jubilee Year 2025 called by Pope Francis. According to the official website of the COCCduring the meeting there prevailed “the conviction to strengthen and privilege the celebrations that will be carried out in the local Churches, highlighting the fundamental dimensions of the Jubilee: conversion, penance and sacramental confession, works of mercy, pilgrimages to the “Shrines, the gift of indulgence and the strong call to revitalize hope.”
Additionally, during the assembly, the Cuban bishops met with a delegation from the Catholic Church of Poland, led by the Bishop of Kielce, Jan Piotrowski, who visited Cuba at the invitation of the COCC.
