The Pope has hit the road. Over the past few weeks he has made historic visits to the U.S. and Cuba. Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba made him the third pope in a row to grace the island. One major difference is however, this time the Pope went to see the patron of the place, Nuestra Senora Caridad del Cobre. Many in Cuba and throughout the world see this aspect of Mary as associated with the La Regla Lucumi (Santeria) Orisha called Oshun. The Pope’s sermon during the mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Caridad del Cobre, spoke of Mary. According to the Vatican his words were as follows:
“She has always been the woman who visits men and women, children, the elderly and the young. She has visited and accompanied many of our peoples in the drama of their birth; she has watched over the struggles of those who fought to defend the rights of their children….”
A goddess of love and fertility, Oshun is honored on September 8th, the feast day for Caridad del Cobre. Many were speculating on the connections the Pope would make on this visit. In the past the Catholic church has not highlighted this aspect of the country’s religious structure. While the Church did not acknowledge this connection outright it was hinted at as the sermon continued:
“These lands have also been visited by her maternal presence. The Cuban homeland was born and grew, warmed by devotion to Our Lady of Charity. As the bishops of this country have written: ‘In a special and unique way she has molded the Cuban soul, inspiring the highest ideals of love of God, the family and the nation in the heart of the Cuban people’ ”.
What is really at issue here is religious syncretism. Religious syncretism probably has as many definitions as those employing it. People often speak of it in regards to the African derived Orisha being associated with Catholic saints. For many practitioners these energies are similar, or even interchangeable. The U.K. News organization the Guardian, spoke about syncretism specifically in connection with the Pope’s recent Cuba visit saying :
“The syncretic religion of Santería has unsurprisingly not been mentioned in the pope’s schedule or sermons, but its powerful influence on the island means that many of those listening to his homilies will be interpreting references to the Catholic saints in a very different way from Vatican orthodoxy.”
For those in the religion that I have spoken to since the papal visit, the words and actions are promising, but didn’t go far enough. Over 13 percent of Cuba’s population of 11 million practice La Regla Lucumi, also known as Ocha, or Santeria. Then there are the devotees throughout the rest of the globe… Is it enough to simply highlight the virtues of the Blessed Mother ? Will things ever come out in the sunshine? Were Pope Francis’ words an attempt at finding commonality, or a vain grasping at the aspects of another culture? What do you think?
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