By Msgr. Noel C. Burtenshaw

Father Bill Hoffman's adventures have yet to be written. The Atlanta priest has been working in the South American missions for 10 years, traveling on foot, in Jeep, and on horseback, touching the lives of so many. His final assignment was in Andahuaylas in South Central Peru. After completing his service with the Fathers of the Missionary St. James Society, he felt it was time to return to his home diocese of Atlanta.

So it was to be.

However, there was one more adventurous stop on the way. "When I was a student in Rome," says the bronze, fit and prematurely graying missionary, "I made friends with a student from Cuba. He is now Father Alfredo Petit and is rector of the seminary in Havana. I felt it would be most interesting to visit Alfredo."

The adventure began. Five years previously, Father Bill had made an attempt to visit his friend, but the Cuban authorities had other ideas. A visiting visa was refused. "This time, says Father Hoffman, whose home is in Gainesville, "it was simple. They happily granted the visa."

The journey was straight from the pages of a Graham Greene novel. First, there was a ride in a rickety bus from Andahuaylas to Lima, 36 hours long. Then, the Cuban Airline plane was a white-knuckle Soviet vintage model which had the uncomfortable habit of leaking smoke into the cabin at times. "Something to do with the filter system," says Father Bill. "Anyway, I was more than glad to get to the Havana airport."

The greeting from the Cuban officials was courteous, but the priest was told that since he had a visitor's visa, he must BE a visitor and stay at a hotel, not at the seminary with his friend. "After a hassle, the government official agreed to let me stay one night with Alfredo, but he insisted only one night."

The story becomes more interesting at this point because the office of the Papal Nuncio in Havana would come to the rescue of the Atlanta priest. "I can see you are surprised," grins Father Bill, "that Cuba has a Papal Nuncio. Well, Rome and Cuba never broke off diplomatic relations. Cuba has an ambassador in the Vatican and through the assistance of my friend Alfredo, the Papal Nuncio in Havana came to my help. I was placed on the diplomatic staff temporarily and therefore could stay at the seminary. It worked out fine."

Father Hoffman explained that the only secure way to get mail or packages into Cuba is through an embassy. "That's how religious books and articles get in. In fact, that's how I first contacted my friend -- by writing to him through the office of the Papal Nuncio."

To a limited extent, Father Hoffman found freedom for the Church in Cuba. "Obviously, the seminary is open. They have 34 students studying theology and in the last 10 years they have ordained 100 priests for the seven different Cuban dioceses."

Father Hoffman goes on to explain the situation of the Church in a Marxist society. "All Catholic schools have been closed. Education is strictly under the supervision of the state. All children, elementary and high school, belong to some Marxist youth group. The Church is not allowed to be an educator."

"But the churches are open. In fact, soon after arriving I went with Alfredo to offer a weekday Mass in one of the parish churches and the attendance was good. There is religious freedom in Church. But it is against the law to speak of religion or religious topic or even pray outside the church. In that way religion and Marxism have learned to co-exist."

The petty persecutions were obvious too. "They are there," says Father Hoffman, "and you see them and hear of them. A brother of one of the priests at the seminary lost his job simply because a priest was present in the family. Also everyone making application for a job is asked 'if religion is practiced.' If they answer yes, then it will prove most difficult to obtain a job, very difficult indeed."

The Atlanta priest ordained now for 20 years was in great admiration of so many Cubans who insisted on publicly declaring their Christianity and suffering the consequences.

"For example," says the returned missionary, "I met with a group of university students who told me that the question of belief and practice of religion surfaced on the university entrance form. All said they insisted on making it known that they were practicing Catholics even though down the road, employment will be difficult to obtain. They are often most courageous. The witness they make to their faith stays on their record."

While Cuba is ordaining some native priests, no foreign missionaries are allowed into the country. "It is unfortunate," says Father Hoffman, "because they need them. A few years ago, the Cuban government relented and allowed a priest, who was Cuban-born, to return from Miami to serve the Church. However, it was discovered that he was an agent of the CIA, so no more foreigners were permitted."

Some concessions on this are being offered to Maryknoll missionaries because of their involvement with other South American governments. "The offer to Maryknoll still stands," says Father Hoffman. "However, the Cuban Bishops recently met with the Maryknoll superiors and were very frank with them. The message was -- we need missionaries and we would welcome your help. However, we do not want any missionaries here who would preach or push the government line."

According to Father Hoffman, no Maryknoll missionary has set foot on Cuba.

Apart from the education apostolate of the Church, which is now firmly closed down, the works of charity continue with the blessings and encouragement of the Castro government. "The Daughters of Charity are most active," says Father Bill. "They can be seen everywhere in their blue habit. And they are getting vocations. The Cuban government seems most happy to have the sisters." However, teaching the faith to the younger generation must be done at church and in the home. It is a big challenge for the Cuban people. Will they keep their faith and pass it along to their children? Father Hoffman only says, "It is too soon to know."

What about opposition to Castro? "Some people I spoke with," says the returned missionary, "say it is there. Dynamite was found recently under some platform where Fidel was to speak. So there is an underground. How strong, no one knows."

Father Hoffman has some comments on the famous Cuban dictator. "They say Fidel was more than willing to say he was a Marxist during the revolution but that, in fact, he is simply an opportunist. And after he is gone, who knows what will result. No one is sure."

Looking around the famous city of Havana, once the playground of the Caribbean, Father Bill Hoffman could see the economic shortages and sufferings endured by the people. "They seem to have concentrated on having good medical attention for their people. And they export doctors and medics of all kinds to the Third World countries. Of course, the message of the socialistic rebellion is taken also. But that is the contribution the Cuban government wants to make."

Father Bill will now become director of the Spanish Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Would he ever like to resume his missionary life? "Cuba would be an interesting apostolate," says the suntanned priest. And has he any plans to maybe go to Cuba?

"I don’t know," grins Father Bill Hoffman. Somehow you get the feeling a blessed idea is being nurtured.