U.S. bishops' official urges aid for Cuba in wake of Hurricane Dennis

Published: 2005-07-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. restrictions on travel and sending cash to family members in Cuba should be eased in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' international policy committee. Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., offered support to U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., for the congressman's resolution to scale back restrictions on family travel and financial remittances to Cuba. Hurricane Dennis slammed into the island nation July 8, causing about 16 deaths and $1.5 billion in property damage. Bishop Ricard said the resolution, "expressing the sense of the Congress that the president should temporarily suspend restrictions on remittances, gift parcels and family travel to Cuba, is a laudable example of the humanitarian spirit that ought to be a constant element of our Cuba policy."

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