When spain conquered cuba in the sixteenth century it introduced not only slaves from africa but catholicism from europe. For centuries the church was closely associated with the ruling class but with the communists victory in one nine hundred fifty nine this changed dramatically fearing the new rulers many priests fled the island and the churches influence declined a van and never broke off diplomatic relations but dealings with the vatican were strained it wasnt until the one nine hundred eighty s. That they began to improve then in one thousand nine hundred six the pope invited fidel castro to Raul John Paul the second visit to cuba two years later marked the start of a new era in church state relations. Sunday in a suburb of vanna on the far side of the harbor its Early Morning and the choir is practicing for the mass. That is the camp Like Community in antonio de tat us doesnt have a Permanent Church instead one is improvised for each service. The new temple as they call churches