182 Chapter 7
churches and other civil society groups. The Cuban government could
give Masonic institutions abroad the same facilities it provides to Car-
itas and other international organizations of the church, to send remit-
tances and other forms of support to their branches inside Cuba.
In this manner, Cuban Lodges could again provide the populace in
their communities, the social support work it used to provide success-
fully before 1960, which included operating schools and universities,
homes for the aged, meal programs for the poor and ill, sports teams
for children, etc., just as some churches are currently allowed to, inside
Cuba.
The social projection, through the media and other public forms of
citizen participation, of all institutions integrating Cuban civil society,
is a key element for the development and growth of such civil society,
and for its useful contribution to the country as a whole.
It is to the advantage of the Cuban authorities, as well as their
moral duty, to allow the development of civil society. However, it is
also the obligation of foreign countries not to utilize some elements of
Cuba's civil society to support their foreign policy, or to meddle in
Cuba's internal affairs. For, these actions would only provide the
Cuban authorities with arguments to forestall civil society, to the detri-
ment of all involved. For, it is through the existence and participation
of civil society, that a peaceful opening can take place.
Conclusions
We have presented, and also supported with statistical results from a
demographic study, a description of Freemasons inside Cuba, and of
their complex development, through the second half of the XX Cen-
tury. In addition, we have proposed specific ideas for their future
development, so CF can contribute to the process of opening the
Cuban society.
Traditionally, Freemasons have displayed their best features and
colors in moments of national crises, such as during the struggles for