By Jose Garces
For the second year running a Christmas message has been read on National television by the Roman Catholic of Cuba, it seems that once an atheist communist government has now become highly interested in Religion. During the broadcast, Cardinal Jaime Ortega expressed his thanks as the Island's families were able to reunite with their families living in the United States. This came upon as President Barack Obama removed restrictions that forbid any relationship between the Americans and Cubans.
Orlando Marquez, a spokesman for Havana's Conference of Bishops confirmed that the authorities had intended to show a Christmas concert which had been performed at the National Cathedral. The entire message was broadcasted on the government controlled television in Cuba.
The best thing happened to a retired 67 year old mother Elisa Ramos. She was totally ecstatic as this was the first time in 12 years she was going to see her son again.
After Jaime Ortega's broadcast, there have been some growing signs of some improvement between the relationship of the government and the church.
In November 2008, thousands of faith believers gathered for the beatification of Friar Jose Olallo Valdes in the city of Camaguey. Amazingly, President Raul Castro also took part in this.
Castro's brother Raul took over as president earlier in 2008. His first political meeting was with Pope Benedict XVI's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. This took place whilst Tarcisio Bertone was marking the 10th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit in Cuba.
Religion in Cuba was affected in 1959, this was after Fidel Castro was designated as President of the Country. The government closed down religious institutions and expelled priests. However, changes were made in 1990 - all reference to "no religion" had been removed and people with different faiths were allowed to unite with the Communist Party. Later in the year, the condition changed when a visit from Pope John Paul II was made to Cuba.
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