The Impact of the Expansion of the Religious Media in Contemporary Cuba 193
ties to publications that analyze socioeconomic and political condi-
tions within Cuba from mildly critical to harshly critical perspectives.
The most widely disseminated publications are those of the Catholic
Church, particularly Palabra Nueva, Espacio Laical, and Vitral. Conviven-
cia, an independent journal produced by lay believers, is also widely
read. The Protestant Churches’ publications are less broadly dissemi-
nated and reflect the differing postures of the institutions that publish
them. These include Caminos produced by the Centro Memorial Mar-
tin Luther King, Jr. and Cuba Teológica and Didajé published by the
Seminario Evangélico de Teológia in Matanzas. The Boletín of the ecu-
menical Centro Cristiano de Reflexión y Diálogo based in Cardenas is
generally considered non-partisan. The Jewish communities’ publica-
tions largely focus on explanations of biblical and Talmudic texts, as
well as reports on community activities, while spiritist groups, when
they publish, tend to focus on local concerns, for example, dissemi-
nating articles about organizing self-help networks. The most influen-
tial publication of the spiritist groups is the “Letra del Año” in which
leading babalaos predict the upcoming year’s events. It should be noted
that in a good number of cases religious publications are read more
widely outside Cuba than inside.II. Religious Media in CubaAn examination of Palabra Nueva reveals the degree to which this is
the case. Founded in 1992 at the height of the Cuban economic crisis,
it was in large measure a response to Pope John Paul II’s recommen-
dation to promote a new evangelization of Cuba. Its initial target audi-
ence was Catholics in the Havana Archdiocese. It has broadened its
scope considerably since then reaching out to government officials,
academics, artists, diplomats, journalists, and the general public,
among others. Its focus from the outset was on the Cuban economy,
culture, sports, social sciences, as well as religion. It has commissioned
articles by both Cubans and non-Cubans.^10 It publishes 12,000 copies- http://palabranueva.net/contens/ pn_qs.htm. 5/20/2010.