Saturday, October 31, 1998; 8:12 a.m. EST

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Continuing to strengthen the Catholic church in Communist-run Cuba, Pope John Paul II on Saturday named a new bishop for the diocese of Santa Clara.

The Rev. Marcelo Arturo Gonzalez Amador, 42, was named auxiliary bishop in the diocese, where he already been serving as pastor of the cathedral in the city.

The pope visited Santa Clara in January as part of his landmark visit to the island.

Earlier this year, Cuba's bishops said they expect to hold on to religious freedoms gained thanks to John Paul's visit but would not predict if political advances would come next.