Oct 4, 2015
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The chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of Miami's St. Thomas University, inspects the damaged statue of St. Thomas Villanova at the old Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana. The chapel has not been in ecclesial use since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
The damaged statue of St. Thomas Villanova at the old Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows that the statue is lacking a head. The chapel and university have not been in ecclesial use since it was seized by Cuban authorities following the Bay of Pigs U.S. military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of St. Thomas University, speaks with a local Cuban man at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University chapel in Havana during a visit there during the papal trip to Havana. The chapel was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
St. Thomas University staff tour the damaged chapel at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University, founded in 1946 in Havana. From left: alumnus Rene Leonard, Vice-President for Advancement Hilda Fernandez, President Msgr. Franklyn Casale and Provost Irma Becerra-Fernandez.
Graffiti and water damages scar the sanctuary of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009.
Graffiti and water damages scar the sanctuary of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows extensive water damage since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows extensive water damage since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
A poster announcing the historic visit of Pope Francis is seen on the exterior of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University, founded in 1946 in Havana.
COURTESY PHOTO
Historical photo of Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in the Miramar section of Havana before the Communist government takeover in 1961.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of Miami's St. Thomas University, inspects the damaged statue of St. Thomas Villanova at the old Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana. The chapel has not been in ecclesial use since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
The damaged statue of St. Thomas Villanova at the old Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows that the statue is lacking a head. The chapel and university have not been in ecclesial use since it was seized by Cuban authorities following the Bay of Pigs U.S. military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Artwork has survived 50 years of neglect inside the old chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of St. Thomas University, speaks with a local Cuban man at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University chapel in Havana during a visit there during the papal trip to Havana. The chapel was returned to local church custody in 2009, but has not been in use since just after the Bay of Pigs military operation in 1961.
St. Thomas University staff tour the damaged chapel at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University, founded in 1946 in Havana. From left: alumnus Rene Leonard, Vice-President for Advancement Hilda Fernandez, President Msgr. Franklyn Casale and Provost Irma Becerra-Fernandez.
Graffiti and water damages scar the sanctuary of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009.
Graffiti and water damages scar the sanctuary of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana, which was returned to local church custody in 2009.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows extensive water damage since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
The roofless chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in Havana shows extensive water damage since it was seized by Cuban authorities in 1961.
A poster announcing the historic visit of Pope Francis is seen on the exterior of the chapel property at the former Santo Tomas de Villanueva University, founded in 1946 in Havana.
COURTESY PHOTO
Historical photo of Santo Tomas de Villanueva University in the Miramar section of Havana before the Communist government takeover in 1961.
Photography: TOM TRACY | FC
