Cuban Catholics are confident in the changes and openings of Raoul Castro’s presidency, 2 months after his appointment at the National Assembly of People’s Power (24 February). This was shown by some surveys and articles published on the latest issue of "Espacio Laical", the quarterly journal of the Archdiocesan Council of the Lay of Havana, which has always been concerned with the social, economic and political life of the country. "National renewal", writes Lenier Gonzàlez Mederos, "more than a prophetic skirmish, is an empirical realisation, a real possibility that is taking shape in our history", not least because the new government "is aware of the need of internal changes" and, for historical and political reasons, Raoul’s persona "supports the possibility of opening new horizons". Within the country, comments Gonzàlez Mederos, "the intellectual community and the Catholic Church have opted for confidence in the new Cuban leadership, inviting it to a gradual change". These are the two social groups that, in his opinion, "have proven to have the most daring and negotiating positions in the current situation". On the contrary, the position of the exiles from Miami, who do not want to acknowledge the legitimacy of the new government, comments the columnist, "substantially hinders their ability to affect the internal dynamics of change". (continued)
