wfn.org | Cuban Bishop in U.S. for Treatment

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (157
notes).

Note 156 by UMNS on June 13, 1997 at 15:44 Eastern (2650 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                       344(10-71B){156}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             June 13, 1997

Cuban bishop arrives in United States
for medical care following stroke

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Cuban Methodist Bishop Gustavo Cruz, paralyzed by a severe
stroke in March, arrived in the United States June 13 for
rehabilitation treatment at Methodist Hospital in Houston.
     The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, in
consultation with the United Methodist Council of Bishops,
arranged to have Cruz flown to Houston.
     Methodist Hospital, a world-renowned facility for treatment
of cardio-vascular disease, is providing treatment free of charge
but other expenses must be covered by contributions.
     An Advance Special to cover travel and living expenses in
Houston for the bishop and his family has been authorized. 
Contributions may be sent to: Advance GCFA, Advance #000432-6RA,
P.O. Box 9068, GPO New York, NY 10087-9068.  Checks should include
the notation: "Bishop Cruz Expenses."
     The bishop had been recuperating at the Hermanos Almejeiras
Hospital in Havana.  Doctors there credited his survival to the
prompt and efficient medical care he received from brain surgeons
at Cuba's Calixto Garcia Hospital, located just four blocks from
the Methodist offices.
     Board of Global Ministries executives who visited Cruz in May
reported that he was in good spirits and looking forward to
returning to his church duties as soon as possible.
     The bishop is still very much involved with the life of the
church, according to board staff member German Acevedo-Delgado. 
"When church leaders visit, he will not let them leave without
updating him on how things are going and without reminding people
to follow up on pending matters," he said.
     Although Cruz had been receiving outstanding medical care in
Cuba, Acevedo-Delgado said it is expected that rehabilitation and
convalescence away from the day-to-day pressures of leading the
church will speed his recovery.
     Prior to the Cuban revolution Methodist work in Cuba was
administratively related to the Methodist Church in the United
States.  Today it is an autonomous denomination but maintains a
close relationship with the United Methodist Church through the
Board of Global Ministries, the Florida Annual Conference and
other units of the church.
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