Pope Benedict to Cuba: Hope in Christ and evangelize

"In effect, a little light can illuminate the entire house...." Pope Benedict XVI

HAVANA, Cuba (Zenit) - Despite the fact that the Church in Cuba has few material and human resources, a great evangelization is ready to take place there as many hearts are open to the Gospel, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope said this in a letter sent to the bishops of Cuba in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the island nation.

The message was delivered today by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Benedict XVI's secretary of state, who is visiting Cuba until Tuesday.

Of Cuba's more than 11 million inhabitants, some 59% are Catholic. It is one of the nations in the world with the largest number of Catholics per priest. In the country there are 19,507 faithful per priest.

"The proclamation of the Gospel of Christ continues to find hearts in Cuba that are ready to welcome it. This fact carries with it a constant responsibility to help them to grow in the spiritual life, proposing to them this 'high standard of ordinary Christian living' [...] that is proper to the vocation to holiness of all baptized persons," said the Pontiff.

For this the Holy Father urged the bishops to "announce true doctrine, to begin listening to and deepening one's understanding of the word of God, to promote participation in the sacraments and foster a life of prayer are primary goals of pastoral action. Bringing to all the salvation of Christ is the nucleus of the mission of the Church."

Benedict XVI recognized that sometimes "communities are overwhelmed by the difficulties, due to scarcity of resources, indifference or even misgivings, that can lead to discouragement."

He comforted the Cuban Catholics with the words of Christ as reported in the Gospel of Luke: "Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom."

The Pope continued: "The believer knows that he can always put his hope in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who does not disappoint [...] and overcomes your heart with joy [...], giving sense and fruitfulness to your life of faith.

"In effect, a little light can illuminate the entire house, a small amount of yeast can raise a large portion of dough.

"How many times small gestures of friendship and good will, simple and daily gestures of respect, attention to the one who suffers or gives unselfishly for the good of others, reveals a glimpse of the limitless love that God has for all and each one."

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The Holy Father told the bishops: "You have in your hands the care of the vine of the Lord in Cuba, where the proclamation of the Gospel arrived five centuries ago, and whose values had a great influence in the birth of the nation."

"These values," he added, "are a vital element for the concord and happy future of the nation."

Benedict XVI continued, "This inheritance has pierced the Cuban soul, that today needs your generous pastoral care to revive it, showing that the Church, centered in the gaze of Jesus Christ, does good, promotes the dignity of the person, and, sewing seeds of understanding, mercy and reconciliation, contributes to the betterment of man and of society."