Fidel Castro dead at 90

Abajo Fidel! This cry has been on the hearts, minds and mouths of many Cubans, especially those in America.  The day has finally come when the phrase has taken on reality. Today, Fidel Castro passed away at the age of 90.  Born Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz in 1926 and educated by the Jesuits, Castro would take on a big role as an adult. He adopted leftist (Marxist)ideas while studying at the University of Havana and was the son of a wealthy farmer. Fidel Castro would use these ideas to rule over Cuba after overthrowing the government. At first, he failed to overthrow President Fulgencio Batista in 1953 and was imprisioned. Afterwards, while in Mexico, he formed the "26th of July Movement" with his brother Raul and Che Guevara.  With this movement, he overthrew President Batista in 1959 and took over Cuba becoming its prime minister from 1959 to 1976 and then its president from 1976 to 2008.  The government of the United States did not like Castro and wanted to assasinate him. There were about 634 attempts to assasinate Castro with each failing.  Because of this, Castro became allies with the Soviet Union and allowed them to place nuclear arsenal on the island which began the Cuban Missile Crisis building up to the Cold War era.

The United States would respond with an embargo as a way of forcing economic harm to small island-nation. The embargo had no real success, but the nation did fall into ruin. While its people are well educated and hospitals have well-trained doctors, the island is pretty much frozen in time with citizens using old vehicles from the 1940s and living in run-down edifices. Castro controlled every aspect of the Cuban people. He transormed the nation into one ruled by Communism, taking control of every facet of government and private life. All free speech and expression was suppressed. Those who spoke out against Castro were either killed or imprisioned. In 1999, Saint John Paul II met with him and spoke out against the abuses against human rights and religious freedom.  Shortly after, changes came. The Catholic Church was given more freedom to celebrate Christmas and other holy days. Even more changes came after Pope emeritus Benedict XVI visited in 2012 and told Castro that his political experiment no longer corresponded with the reality of the times.  Castro was the third longest serving head of state and holds the world record of the longest speech at the United Nations. His death was announced on state television by his brother Raul who announced a nine day mourning period. His remainds were cremated.  Many Cubans in exile took to the streets in Miami to celebrate the death of the dictator. World leaders commented on his death, some causing controversy such as Obama who failed to condemen his poor human rights record and the prime minister of Canada who praised him as a great leader.  President-elect Donald Trump and his vice president choice, Mike Pence both condemened Castro and hope for democracy to take hold in Cuba.

My thoughts
The response to Castro's death has been interesting with some praising him and others not so. As a Catholic Christian, I can only pray for his soul. His acts and words judge him by themselves, so I need not make a judgement. Based on what I know, Castro oppressed his own people. He restricted basic freedoms and while preaching Socialism and Communism, lived a lavish life full of riches while his people had to line up for rations. I understand why some are celebrating his death, however, I find that distasteful. We should never celebrate the death of another, even is that person was bad. All have sinned before God, excluding Mary the mother of Christ and Christ of course while on earth as a human male. We should pray for his soul. Fidel Castro was an atheist. Atheism has a long history of oppressing people and free thought.  He was a prime example.

Some atheists claim to be "good without God," however, we can see what happens to a person when he or she removes God from his or her life. The person becomes void of morals and conscience. Atheism has a bad human rights record in light of this. Fidel Castro was a product of indoctrination on campus. This is a big problem. Today, we see so many young people protesting and requesting "safe spaces" due to some leftist professors pontificating to them views that are irrational, yet chick. Universities can be great places to learn, but also dangerous places where some promote ideologies that threaten the moral and social fabric of humanity. It is sad that Cuba has suffered under dictator after dictator. We must hope and pray that Cuba will change and become a more viable democratic society that respects the basic human rights of its citizens. While Castro did improve education on the island, what good is it if the people cannot freely speak and express themselves?  When Jesus said "forgive them for they know not what they do," he had people like Fidel Castro in mind. Pray for his soul. Only God can judge Castro. May He have mercy on His soul.

"Abajo Fidel" has come true. #Cuba has lost its former leader Fidel Castro. May God have mercy on him and may he rest in peace.

— Sacerdotنs (@Sacerdotus) November 26, 2016

Fidel Castro was an #atheist. #atheism has a long history of oppressing people and free thought. He was a prime example.

— Sacerdotنs (@Sacerdotus) November 26, 2016

People cheering in Miami over Fidel Castro is distasteful. He was not perfect, no one is. We should never celebrate the death of another.

— Sacerdotنs (@Sacerdotus) November 26, 2016

When Jesus said "forgive them for they know not what they do," he had people like Fidel Castro in mind. Pray for his soul.

— Sacerdotنs (@Sacerdotus) November 26, 2016

Arch Thomas Wenski : "Fidel Castro has died. Now he awaits the judgment of God who is merciful but also just." https://t.co/wazyawMrZW

— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) November 26, 2016

The tyrant #Castro is dead. New hope dawns. We will stand with the oppressed Cuban people for a free and democratic Cuba. Viva Cuba Libre!

— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) November 26, 2016

World leaders and public figures react to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's death at age 90: https://t.co/1LUhtbo2rF pic.twitter.com/eLkLfZPpBP

— ABC News (@ABC) November 26, 2016

Cubans march down Calle Ocho in Little Havana in Miami celebrating Fidel Castro's death (raining & almost 2am but that won't stop the party) pic.twitter.com/LxvWAuxGsO

— Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) November 26, 2016

This was the scene on the streets of Miami after Fidel Castro's death was announced https://t.co/iEmf4bCiMC pic.twitter.com/H1iivfbkDF

— CNN (@CNN) November 26, 2016

Today's cover: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dead at 90 https://t.co/ecKcwOPD9Q pic.twitter.com/K8g070qy5w

— New York Post (@nypost) November 26, 2016

 





Source:

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=6631562

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/the-life-of-fidel-castro-1926-2016/2016/11/26/9dfecc96-b3f0-11e6-840f-e3ebab6bcdd3_gallery.html

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/fidel-castro-dead-cubas-former-president-dies-at-90-w452402

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/fidel-castro-en/article117186483.html

http://www.npr.org/2016/11/26/503416852/cuban-reaction-to-fidels-death

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/fidel-castros-death/fidel-castro-life-cuban-leader-n290311

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38118739

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2016/11/cuba-leader-fidel-castro-dead-90-161126053354637.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/26/world/americas/fidel-castro-dies.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/27/justin-trudeau-ridiculed-over-praise-of-remarkable-fidel-castro

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/11/26/statement-prime-minister-canada-death-former-cuban-president-fidel-castro

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/26/world/americas/justin-trudeau-fidel-castro.html?_r=0

http://wreg.com/2016/11/26/cubas-fidel-castro-dead-at-90/

https://apnews.com/ca4bf8c1d23b451698ae7e979e1455d8?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP

Pope Arrives in Cuba

The Holy Father Pope Francis has arrived at Cuba and gave some remarks at the Jose Marti International Airport.  He urged Presidents Obama and Castro to continuing the dialog and reconciliation between both nations. Cuba where the majority is Catholic.  However, the nation has suffered from Communism which has pushed its atheistic beliefs on the people.  The Castro regime took possession of many Catholic properties and restricted religious freedom.  After Saint Pope John Paul II visited, more freedom was allowed including the celebration of Christmas. Even more restrictions were removed after the visit of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Let us pray for our Holy Father to have a successful and safe trip to Cuba.  May the Cross of Christ continue to chip chunks off the concrete of atheism that has held down the Cuban people.

Source:

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-offers-solidarity-cuba-highlights-hispanics-us-062301266.html

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-offers-solidarity-cuba-highlights-hispanics-us-062301266.html


UPDATE: September 21, 2015


Pope Francis addressed the Cuban people the best he could.  The Cuban government handpicked who could participate in the Papal Masses and other events. Dissidents were detained before they could even reach any of the events.  Pope Francis called for a "revolution of tenderness" in a nation that was built by Catholicism but was over run by atheistic Communism.  He challenged the youth to not be afraid of change and to be hopeful.  An interesting observation was president Raul Castros' behavior.  He attended every event and was following the Pope like a school friend following the "cool kid."  The atmosphere seemed different.  Could Communism be on the way out?  Only time will tell.  However, the Pope stressed the importance of Catholicism on the island and how it built the nation.  Atheism did a lot of damage to the culture and morale of the people.  It was the Catholic Church that kept the people's spirits alive.

Let us continue to pray for the Cuban people and for our Pope who is now in America.  God's grace must work in the hearts of the Castro regime.  Where sin abounds, graces abounds even more (Romans 5:20).

You can read the Papal texts here:  http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2015/outside/documents/papa-francesco-cuba-usa-onu-2015.html  

Pope Francis Converts Cuban Atheist Leader

An archangel once said, "For with God, nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37)." Well, this statement never fails.  Five months after Pope Francis brokered a deal between Cuba and the United States which brought both nations together, Cuban president Raul Castro visited the Vatican.  He met with Pope Francis who welcomed him in their native Spanish with, "Bienvenido."  Both spoke in private and then had a photo opt.  However, what got the attention of many of us is what Castro said of the Pope.  He said:

"The pontiff is a Jesuit, and I, in some way, am too, I always studied at Jesuit schools. I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the church, and I'm not joking. I am from the Cuban Communist Party, that doesn't allow religious believers, but now we are allowing it, it's an important step. I am very impressed by his wisdom, his modesty, and all his virtues that we know he has."

It seems that the Pope is bringing the atheist dictator back home to the Catholic Church. Castro even asked the Pope to pray for him.  This is what happens when the Gospel becomes our life. We do not need to be apologists or theologians with doctorate degrees or licentiates to spread Catholicism.  It is via our living out the Gospel that brings people to Christ. When we live out the Gospel, we show the world that this "stuff" is true and really works.  Titus 2:7 states this well,

"Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity.." 

I understand some are upset at the statement made by Castro. They consider him an evil dictator who had Cubans murdered and want him to suffer. This is a response from someone who does not understand mercy and forgiveness.  Yes, Castro and his brother did and ordered a lot of evil, but we must not judge them, that is God's job. If Castro sincerely is considering returning to Catholicism, then we as Christians must rejoice like Heaven does (Luke 15:7).  Let us pray for Castro and his brother that they may return to God and His Church.  Let us also pray for the Cuban people.










Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/10/europe/italy-raul-castro-pope-francis-meeting/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html?_r=0

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32679290

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-welcomes-raul-castro-vatican-ahead-trip-cuba-091003771.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/10/pope-francis-raul-castro/27079241/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/05/10/405685050/raul-castro-says-pope-inspiring-him-to-return-to-church

"King Money"

After the release of 'Evangelii Gaudium,' political pundits and others are calling the Pope a socialist and claiming he is against capitalism.  Others are claiming that since he is South American, he is somehow tainted with liberation theology.  I really do not understand where they get these ideas from.  As usual, reactionaries find any minor detail to escalate in order to bring in an audience.

Thank God not everyone is as stupid as those misinterpreting the Pope's exhortation think they are.  Those of us who can read and comprehend simultaneously can see clearly that Pope Francis addressed the problems the love and worship of money causes.

When "king money" is the one we worship and rely upon in order to be consider worthy of existing, then we have a problem.  I remember as a kid in elementary school and onward to college, teachers and professors would tell us that in order to be "someone" we had to be the best, we have to be the most educated in order to have the best job and make the most money; own a big house, cars and so on.  In other words, having money is the point of living the human life.  Without money, we are nobodies, according to this philosophy.  

This is what Pope Francis is countering.  The idea that money is what defines us and gives us status is immoral and causes inequality among societies throughout the globe.  

Rush is obviously not good at reading comprehension. He filters things through his narrow view on life. The Pope is for what is just as Christ taught, not what is "American." Any economic system that puts wealth above people does not work and is unjust. This is the Pope's message.

I love my nation and I also have respect for other nations as well.  However, our economic systems are not perfect - including capitalism.  Until soup kitchens, shelters, unemployment offices are closed and we see no homeless people on the streets or trains, then we can say we have a great economic system.  To date, every nation has people struggling to stay alive due to the level of poverty they are experiencing, this includes communist and socialist nations.  There is no reason for this.  Most of the world's wealth and resources are being curved too much to one side and is leaving the rest trying to grasp it.  

Does Rush and the Pope's critics not understand that being greedy is never a right thing to be?  Do the aforementioned not understand that money is supposed to serve man and not the other way around?  The Pope is not endorsing Marxism or Socialism.  He is endorsing the human person and reminding the world that people have intrinsic value because they are made in the image and likeness of God. 

   

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-brenner/francis-and-america-at-he_b_4371826.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/02/rush-limbaugh-pope-francis_n_4373635.html?ref=topbar#conversation-4373635-301994759