Father José Conrado
Encyclopedia
Father José Conrado Rodriguez, a Cuba
n priest
from the parish of Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús, in Santiago de Cuba Province
, is best known for his strongly worded open letter to Cuban President Raúl Castro. The letter condemns what Conrado says are the social problems
, the restrictions on liberty
and the increasing threats and interrogations that have been directed at his parishioners.
Conrado, considered one of the most outspoken of the church figures in Cuba, has been called the "Cardinal of the people". After a visit to see the Pope
in 1998, Conrado stated, "The fundamental change is the protagonism of the Cuban people after years of having to hide what they think. What has happened in Cuba is a genuine miracle. It's the resurrection of the Cuban people."
An interview with Conrado by journalist Emio de Armas won third place for the Catholic Journalist's Best News Writing National/International Event, an article that, despite the restrictions on the press imposed by the Cuban government, gives an account by Conrado where he details the arrest and beatings of dissidents by the Cuban police inside his church.
Sánchez and Reinaldo traveled to Santiago de Cuba the weekend before the letter was released and spent several days there, meeting with Father Conrado. During the same visit they held a blogger meeting with young people there, and Sánchez put her Ortega y Gasset award in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, where “the long arm of the censor does not enter.” Excerpts from the letter were published on the Huffington Post.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
from the parish of Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús, in Santiago de Cuba Province
Santiago de Cuba Province
Santiago de Cuba Province is the second most populated province in the island of Cuba. The largest city Santiago de Cuba is the main administrative center...
, is best known for his strongly worded open letter to Cuban President Raúl Castro. The letter condemns what Conrado says are the social problems
Social problems
Social problems are problems and difficulties that people often face in society. These include:*crime*corruption*poverty*homelessness*hunger*disease*drug addiction*alcoholism*schizophrenia*depression*pollution...
, the restrictions on liberty
Liberty
Liberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions...
and the increasing threats and interrogations that have been directed at his parishioners.
Conrado, considered one of the most outspoken of the church figures in Cuba, has been called the "Cardinal of the people". After a visit to see the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
in 1998, Conrado stated, "The fundamental change is the protagonism of the Cuban people after years of having to hide what they think. What has happened in Cuba is a genuine miracle. It's the resurrection of the Cuban people."
An interview with Conrado by journalist Emio de Armas won third place for the Catholic Journalist's Best News Writing National/International Event, an article that, despite the restrictions on the press imposed by the Cuban government, gives an account by Conrado where he details the arrest and beatings of dissidents by the Cuban police inside his church.
Letter to Raul Castro
On February 5, 2009, Conrado wrote an open letter to Cuban president Raúl Castro Ruz which was published in the digital magazine, Contodos.Sánchez and Reinaldo traveled to Santiago de Cuba the weekend before the letter was released and spent several days there, meeting with Father Conrado. During the same visit they held a blogger meeting with young people there, and Sánchez put her Ortega y Gasset award in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, where “the long arm of the censor does not enter.” Excerpts from the letter were published on the Huffington Post.