In U.S., Cuban Cardinal Ortega emphasizes unity of all Cubans

Published: 2006-06-22

GLENDALE, Calif. (CNS) -- Visiting with the Cuban community of Los Angeles for the first time June 18, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana expressed his hope that Cubans of faith remain united wherever they live. "The love of Jesus unites us. It's a unity that no one can break," the Cuban cardinal said in Spanish to a standing-room-only congregation of more than 800 people at Holy Family Church in Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb. Cardinal Ortega, 69, is immediate past president of the Cuban bishops' conference and president of the Catholic humanitarian aid agency Caritas Cuba. He was in Los Angeles for the U.S. bishops' spring meeting, where he addressed the bishops during a closed-door session June 16. Two days later, he celebrated the 12:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Family with 10 priests concelebrating, including several Cuban-born priests now ministering in Los Angeles. Celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi, Cardinal Ortega reflected on how Jesus appeared to his disciples in the glory of his risen body while still showing the scars of his passion and crucifixion.

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