Le catholicisme cubain face au "postcommunisme"

In: Critique internationale: revue comparative de sciences sociales, Heft 3, S. 123-148

Abstract

As the Cuban regime transitions from "Fidelism" to "Raulism," questions arise concerning the Catholic world's place in "Post-Communism." However, after many years of confrontation with a power that dominates the greater part of the political, social & cultural fields, the resumption of real influence over Cuban society is far from given. In spite of a unique institutional position vis-a-vis the regime, the Catholic Church remains marginalized. The Church's lack of social grounding & difficulty overcoming its colonial past both contribute to its isolation. In these circumstances, the Catholic hierarchy draws on fieldwork that is more pastoral than political. Some Catholics are nevertheless seeking to contribute to the emergence of a hypothetical "civil society" by transforming the religious institution into a para-political actor capable of preparing the way for "post-Communism." This effort endeavors to rehabilitate Catholicism vis-a-vis the Cuban past & Cuban present alike. It also seeks to redefine civic & moral norms in order to actively participate in future efforts at national reconciliation. These efforts nevertheless remain limited by the structural weaknesses of the Cuban church & the ambivalence of its choices. Adapted from the source document.