Randy Engel
Catholic Family News interview with Marielena Stuart
By Randy Engel
This interview appeared in Catholic Family News (http://www.cfnews.org/cfn.htm) in September 2011
Interview with Marielena Stuart
[Editor's note: On August 20, 2011, CFN columnist Randy Engel, Director of the U.S. Coalition for Life and the International Foundation for Genetic Research/Michael Fund interviewed Mrs. Marielena Stuart, candidate for the U.S. Senate from Florida. Mrs. Stuart is running on a prolife, pro-family ticket. J.V.]
Randy Engel: Mrs. Stuart — would you tell our readers about your family background and your experiences as a Catholic growing up in Communist Cuba?
Marielena Stuart My family is originally from Spain. I was born and raised in Cuba — tragically, under Fidel Castro's Communist regime.
I believe that our earliest experiences in life are essentially points of departure. As a practicing Roman Catholic and one who respects Church authority I am drawn to reflect on the events of my Catholic experience, growing up under Fidel Castro's murderous Communist regime.
I was taught by my parents to defend our Catholic faith, in spite of the persecution that we suffered. Obviously, I survived. But thousands of others have been imprisoned, tortured and executed — among them, members of my family — as they cried out "Long Live Christ the King!"
Within the confines of our home I was secretly taught the Catechism by my mother — the Catechism being the authoritative expression of the Catholic faith. Our formation had to be strong, in order to fight the evil that surrounded us.
Under Communism, my living example of greatness and loyalty within the Church was the priest who risked his life to make sure that I received my First Holy Communion, while armed Communist military thugs threatened us — as they lined the walls of my hometown's beautiful church, which dates back to the 17th Century.
The battle cry in defense of our faith still echoes inside the walls of that church.
Engel: Was your family's resistance to Communist tyranny a spontaneous reaction?
Stuart: Yes. When we stood up as Catholics against the Communists in Cuba, we did so immediately and without hesitation. Our defense of the Church was based on faith and conviction. We did not stop to consider "conspiracies" from the Communist bureaucrats.
We did not look for public relations maneuvers — nor did we appeal to Cardinals for help. We were Christian soldiers left in a battlefield of brutal violence and hatred against our God-given rights — and it was up to us to stand up and defend those rights. Having lost our liberty, the only source of hope was our faith and our love for Christ and his Church. The world chose to ignore our suffering.
Engel: And today?
Stuart: To this day, it still does. In fact, even the Holy See has increasingly betrayed and abandoned the plight of the Cuban people under Castro — through diplomatic maneuvers between Rome and Havana. In contrast, not enough can ever be said about the lay Catholics who never wavered in their defense of the Church — in spite of the persecution they suffered under Communism.
Engel: When did you come to the US? Where did you settle? Your education? Your work in linguistics?
Stuart: I came with my family in the late 1960's. We settled in California — and moved to Florida four years ago. My education is in linguistics — with an emphasis on Romance languages. My work in linguistics has included legal and international conference interpreting. I also trained for many years as a concert pianist. My work as a conservative journalist and columnist also reflects my life experiences under political systems, travel and foreign languages.
Engel: Have you always been interested in politics?
Stuart: Having lived many years under Communism — it is impossible not to be interested in politics. Politics affect us every day of our lives. It is up to us as citizens to make sure that the political process will work for the good of humanity — not against it. This political process must also ensure that the nation will remain strong and democratic.
Engel: What prompted you to run as a pro-life, pro-family candidate for the U.S. Senate from Florida?
Stuart:I believe that the killing of innocent human life is destroying our society — not just morally, but economically as well. Unless we stop this slaughter of innocents, our nation is doomed.
As a long-time prolife activist, Randy, I know you are very well aware that throughout the world, most especially in the United States and Europe, human life has been devalued, and anti-human ideologies have infected our communities and government. Innocent human life has become a disposable commodity.
In the economic sphere, those who promote the sanctity of life are under attack by socialists and "progressive" economists who see population growth as an enemy of the economy. Tragically, the latter's neo-Malthusian policies and practices have become institutionalized in federal and state legislation.
Over the last 40 years, the federal government has spent billions upon billions of tax dollars to promote population control at home and abroad. These anti-baby, anti-natalist programs have included abortion by both surgical and chemical means, as well as mass sterilization.
It is time for the federal government to end its "Stop the Stork" campaign initiated by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in the early 1970s.
Engel: As a prolife Senator, would you work to stop these tax-funded anti-life programs at home and abroad?
Stuart: Certainly. One of my objectives, should I be elected, is to lead the fight to replace these anti-life programs with profamily and pro-natalist programs and policies. After all, these are the kinds of policies and programs which have served this nation well from the founding of the Republic up until the passage of anti-life legislation four decades ago.
As the representative of the people of the State of Florida, I will work tirelessly, openly and publicly to promote and defend the sanctity of all human life from cradle to grave. I promise to fight especially hard for the most vulnerable of our citizens — especially the mentally and physically handicapped, born and unborn, and the aged and indigent. When our poor reach out for bread, they should not be given stones to eat. But a socialist environment does not help the poor. This is why it is critical that we support private sector growth — so that more jobs can be created. Americans should be able to enjoy the fruits of their own labor — without dependency on the government.
To date, more than 50 million Americans have been surgically aborted and millions more have died by chemical abortifacients and devices. As high as these figures are, they still do not include the millions of human embryos who have been destroyed in pseudo-scientific programs involving human stem cell research and IVF programs.
Do Americans really want to continue this systematic destruction of our future citizens while the push for euthanasia of the elderly and the infirmed becomes ever more aggressive? What will become of our nation, if this human carnage is not stopped?
For every death sentence delivered on an unborn child by abortion, or an elderly patient by euthanasia — is a death sentence delivered upon our own nation. Clearly, to be for abortion, is to be against your own survival.
As a candidate for the United States Senate I am committed to uncompromising action in defense of the sanctity of all human life which comes to each of us as a gift from Almighty God.
Engel: I noticed that your prolife and pro-family philosophies are closely intertwined.
Stuart: Of course. After all, the family is the building block and foundation for a civilized society. The family existed from man's beginning — before the creation of the State and the Church. We need to support legislation that supports the family and remove legislation which undermines and endangers the family.
Engel: In looking at your campaign website I was pleasantly surprised to see that your platform includes a broad spectrum of prolife issues. Pro-life is not just a single issue, is it?
Stuart: No indeed! Prolife issues, in addition to their moral implications, are at the very core of many of America's most pressing problems related to our economic and national defense problems. That's why the future of our country depends so heavily on a return to the protection of all innocent human life.
Engel: Before you go, I wanted to briefly ask you about your interest and expertise in the area of foreign affairs. As a US Senator, foreign affairs will occupy a great part of your time, so I am happy to see that so many of your columns on the Renew America website are devoted to these matters.
Stuart: Yes. The field of foreign affairs is of great interest to me. It always has been. This includes the dynamics of foreign and security policies, and the degree of power and influence that each nation has. But most important — how it uses power and influence to advance its goals.
Engel: As a traditional Catholic, I'm sure you have been carefully monitoring events in the Holy Land and in the Middle East in general?
Stuart: Yes, I have been following these events for many, many years.
Engel: In the very short time that we have left, would you please comment on the continuing Israeli and Palestinian debate?
Stuart: Let me begin by stating that in international affairs the idea of a compromise is often perceived as a position of weakness, or a relinquishing of principle; however, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one which requires a compromise that recognizes and respects the historic and moral claims to this ancient land, by both Jews and Arabs. This compromise must include careful consideration of security issues.
The United States is the only reliable and credible mediator in the peace process. Not Europe — and certainly not the United Nations.
As Americans we seek peace and justice for all. The Holy Land should also be a place of peace and justice for all — as Christ taught more than 2000 years ago.
Engel: You have just announced your candidacy for the US Senate seat on the Republican ticket? What are your hopes for your campaign? What are your biggest challenges?
Stuart: I would characterize my campaign as a historic opportunity to serve our extraordinary nation by protecting human life, by rebuilding our economy and strengthening the private sector — and by protecting our constitutional rights.
We need leaders in Washington who will have the strength of character and the will to succeed in rebuilding our country — not just economically, but morally as well. This is why I am presenting my candidacy for the United States Senate.
Engel: Mrs. Stuart, I know that you are personally devoted to Our lady. Today, we have been discussing all types of conflicts including the war on the unborn and warring factions in the Middle east. How do you see all these events in the light of Our Lady's Peace Plan given to the three children at Fatima in 1917?
Stuart: The message of Nossa Senhora de Fátima is fundamentally a universal declaration of peace from the Mother of Christ, Our Lord. As such, it addresses all that affects humankind.
Engel: If our readers have any comments or questions for you, how can they contact you?
Stuart: They can contact me at www.MarielenaStuartforUSSenate2012.com
Engel: Thank you, Mrs. Stuart. It was my pleasure talking with you this evening.
Stuart: My thanks to Catholic Family News, and you Randy, for this interview.
© Randy Engel
September 29, 2011
This interview appeared in Catholic Family News (http://www.cfnews.org/cfn.htm) in September 2011
[Editor's note: On August 20, 2011, CFN columnist Randy Engel, Director of the U.S. Coalition for Life and the International Foundation for Genetic Research/Michael Fund interviewed Mrs. Marielena Stuart, candidate for the U.S. Senate from Florida. Mrs. Stuart is running on a prolife, pro-family ticket. J.V.]
Randy Engel: Mrs. Stuart — would you tell our readers about your family background and your experiences as a Catholic growing up in Communist Cuba?
Marielena Stuart My family is originally from Spain. I was born and raised in Cuba — tragically, under Fidel Castro's Communist regime.
I believe that our earliest experiences in life are essentially points of departure. As a practicing Roman Catholic and one who respects Church authority I am drawn to reflect on the events of my Catholic experience, growing up under Fidel Castro's murderous Communist regime.
I was taught by my parents to defend our Catholic faith, in spite of the persecution that we suffered. Obviously, I survived. But thousands of others have been imprisoned, tortured and executed — among them, members of my family — as they cried out "Long Live Christ the King!"
Within the confines of our home I was secretly taught the Catechism by my mother — the Catechism being the authoritative expression of the Catholic faith. Our formation had to be strong, in order to fight the evil that surrounded us.
Under Communism, my living example of greatness and loyalty within the Church was the priest who risked his life to make sure that I received my First Holy Communion, while armed Communist military thugs threatened us — as they lined the walls of my hometown's beautiful church, which dates back to the 17th Century.
The battle cry in defense of our faith still echoes inside the walls of that church.
Engel: Was your family's resistance to Communist tyranny a spontaneous reaction?
Stuart: Yes. When we stood up as Catholics against the Communists in Cuba, we did so immediately and without hesitation. Our defense of the Church was based on faith and conviction. We did not stop to consider "conspiracies" from the Communist bureaucrats.
We did not look for public relations maneuvers — nor did we appeal to Cardinals for help. We were Christian soldiers left in a battlefield of brutal violence and hatred against our God-given rights — and it was up to us to stand up and defend those rights. Having lost our liberty, the only source of hope was our faith and our love for Christ and his Church. The world chose to ignore our suffering.
Engel: And today?
Stuart: To this day, it still does. In fact, even the Holy See has increasingly betrayed and abandoned the plight of the Cuban people under Castro — through diplomatic maneuvers between Rome and Havana. In contrast, not enough can ever be said about the lay Catholics who never wavered in their defense of the Church — in spite of the persecution they suffered under Communism.
Engel: When did you come to the US? Where did you settle? Your education? Your work in linguistics?
Stuart: I came with my family in the late 1960's. We settled in California — and moved to Florida four years ago. My education is in linguistics — with an emphasis on Romance languages. My work in linguistics has included legal and international conference interpreting. I also trained for many years as a concert pianist. My work as a conservative journalist and columnist also reflects my life experiences under political systems, travel and foreign languages.
Engel: Have you always been interested in politics?
Stuart: Having lived many years under Communism — it is impossible not to be interested in politics. Politics affect us every day of our lives. It is up to us as citizens to make sure that the political process will work for the good of humanity — not against it. This political process must also ensure that the nation will remain strong and democratic.
Engel: What prompted you to run as a pro-life, pro-family candidate for the U.S. Senate from Florida?
Stuart:I believe that the killing of innocent human life is destroying our society — not just morally, but economically as well. Unless we stop this slaughter of innocents, our nation is doomed.
As a long-time prolife activist, Randy, I know you are very well aware that throughout the world, most especially in the United States and Europe, human life has been devalued, and anti-human ideologies have infected our communities and government. Innocent human life has become a disposable commodity.
In the economic sphere, those who promote the sanctity of life are under attack by socialists and "progressive" economists who see population growth as an enemy of the economy. Tragically, the latter's neo-Malthusian policies and practices have become institutionalized in federal and state legislation.
Over the last 40 years, the federal government has spent billions upon billions of tax dollars to promote population control at home and abroad. These anti-baby, anti-natalist programs have included abortion by both surgical and chemical means, as well as mass sterilization.
It is time for the federal government to end its "Stop the Stork" campaign initiated by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in the early 1970s.
Engel: As a prolife Senator, would you work to stop these tax-funded anti-life programs at home and abroad?
Stuart: Certainly. One of my objectives, should I be elected, is to lead the fight to replace these anti-life programs with profamily and pro-natalist programs and policies. After all, these are the kinds of policies and programs which have served this nation well from the founding of the Republic up until the passage of anti-life legislation four decades ago.
As the representative of the people of the State of Florida, I will work tirelessly, openly and publicly to promote and defend the sanctity of all human life from cradle to grave. I promise to fight especially hard for the most vulnerable of our citizens — especially the mentally and physically handicapped, born and unborn, and the aged and indigent. When our poor reach out for bread, they should not be given stones to eat. But a socialist environment does not help the poor. This is why it is critical that we support private sector growth — so that more jobs can be created. Americans should be able to enjoy the fruits of their own labor — without dependency on the government.
To date, more than 50 million Americans have been surgically aborted and millions more have died by chemical abortifacients and devices. As high as these figures are, they still do not include the millions of human embryos who have been destroyed in pseudo-scientific programs involving human stem cell research and IVF programs.
Do Americans really want to continue this systematic destruction of our future citizens while the push for euthanasia of the elderly and the infirmed becomes ever more aggressive? What will become of our nation, if this human carnage is not stopped?
For every death sentence delivered on an unborn child by abortion, or an elderly patient by euthanasia — is a death sentence delivered upon our own nation. Clearly, to be for abortion, is to be against your own survival.
As a candidate for the United States Senate I am committed to uncompromising action in defense of the sanctity of all human life which comes to each of us as a gift from Almighty God.
Engel: I noticed that your prolife and pro-family philosophies are closely intertwined.
Stuart: Of course. After all, the family is the building block and foundation for a civilized society. The family existed from man's beginning — before the creation of the State and the Church. We need to support legislation that supports the family and remove legislation which undermines and endangers the family.
Engel: In looking at your campaign website I was pleasantly surprised to see that your platform includes a broad spectrum of prolife issues. Pro-life is not just a single issue, is it?
Stuart: No indeed! Prolife issues, in addition to their moral implications, are at the very core of many of America's most pressing problems related to our economic and national defense problems. That's why the future of our country depends so heavily on a return to the protection of all innocent human life.
Engel: Before you go, I wanted to briefly ask you about your interest and expertise in the area of foreign affairs. As a US Senator, foreign affairs will occupy a great part of your time, so I am happy to see that so many of your columns on the Renew America website are devoted to these matters.
Stuart: Yes. The field of foreign affairs is of great interest to me. It always has been. This includes the dynamics of foreign and security policies, and the degree of power and influence that each nation has. But most important — how it uses power and influence to advance its goals.
Engel: As a traditional Catholic, I'm sure you have been carefully monitoring events in the Holy Land and in the Middle East in general?
Stuart: Yes, I have been following these events for many, many years.
Engel: In the very short time that we have left, would you please comment on the continuing Israeli and Palestinian debate?
Stuart: Let me begin by stating that in international affairs the idea of a compromise is often perceived as a position of weakness, or a relinquishing of principle; however, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one which requires a compromise that recognizes and respects the historic and moral claims to this ancient land, by both Jews and Arabs. This compromise must include careful consideration of security issues.
The United States is the only reliable and credible mediator in the peace process. Not Europe — and certainly not the United Nations.
As Americans we seek peace and justice for all. The Holy Land should also be a place of peace and justice for all — as Christ taught more than 2000 years ago.
Engel: You have just announced your candidacy for the US Senate seat on the Republican ticket? What are your hopes for your campaign? What are your biggest challenges?
Stuart: I would characterize my campaign as a historic opportunity to serve our extraordinary nation by protecting human life, by rebuilding our economy and strengthening the private sector — and by protecting our constitutional rights.
We need leaders in Washington who will have the strength of character and the will to succeed in rebuilding our country — not just economically, but morally as well. This is why I am presenting my candidacy for the United States Senate.
Engel: Mrs. Stuart, I know that you are personally devoted to Our lady. Today, we have been discussing all types of conflicts including the war on the unborn and warring factions in the Middle east. How do you see all these events in the light of Our Lady's Peace Plan given to the three children at Fatima in 1917?
Stuart: The message of Nossa Senhora de Fátima is fundamentally a universal declaration of peace from the Mother of Christ, Our Lord. As such, it addresses all that affects humankind.
Engel: If our readers have any comments or questions for you, how can they contact you?
Stuart: They can contact me at www.MarielenaStuartforUSSenate2012.com
Engel: Thank you, Mrs. Stuart. It was my pleasure talking with you this evening.
Stuart: My thanks to Catholic Family News, and you Randy, for this interview.
© Randy Engel
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
