Friday, June 4, 1999; 5:53 p.m. EDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II named a new bishop for the Cuban diocese of Santa Clara on Friday, continuing to strengthen the Catholic church in the communist-run nation.

Monsignor Marcelo Arturo Gonzalez Amador, 43, had been serving as an auxiliary bishop.

The pope visited Santa Clara last year as part of his landmark visit to the island.

Cuba's bishops have said they expect to hold on to religious freedoms gained thanks to John Paul's visit.