Havana, Feb 15.- The President of the Council of Churches of Cuba (CIC), Rev. Joel Ortega, said that Cuba is today an example of integration and ecclesiastical harmony, and for that reason that is praised by leaders of the major Christian churches.
In statements to Prensa Latina, Ortega said that Cuba, unlike other countries, this is a country of peace, with brotherhood among religions.
An example of this is the convergence in the organization he presides of over 53 member organizations, including 28 churches and 14 Christian institutions, of Protestant and evangelical denominations, he explained.
In his opinion, this, and the good relations between the Cuban state and the CIC, as well as the Catholic and Orthodox churches, influence in the fact that the island is identified by the leaders of the latter two, the main Christian denomination globally as a sign of unity, peace and hope.
On Friday, the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, held a meeting in this capital to reconcile common positions on current political-religious issues, after almost a thousand years of estrangement between their institutions.
Cuba was selected to host the historic event because it is a neutral ground for the differences between the churches, but also constitutes, according to the statement of the Primates, a "symbol of hope for the New World and in view of the dramatic events of the XX century'.
For Ortega, the recognition is a matter of pride. We are ecumenical and seek unity; we fight for integration, he said.
On the meeting and the joint statement of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, he considered it was an act of courage that allows breaking a thousand years of separation.
They knew how to put the differences on the table to seek unity, he said. There is no alternative for the future of the world except this path of dialogue and peace, "which he defined as an act of maturity and wisdom' consistent with the will of God.
Ortega added that the fact that the meeting took place in Cuba, a geographically tiny country, reaffirms that small things also have room in the world.
Another example of the Catholic and Orthodox will to promote dialogue and unity among Christians and people of good will, as a way to peace and harmony, was materialized during the visit, on Saturday, of a high Vatican official to the CIC.
It was the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, who exchanged with the Reverend to deepen their understanding of ecumenism in the Caribbean island, at the request of the Catholic Supreme Pontiff.