HAVANA (Reuters) — The Roman Catholic magazine Vitral, one of the few publications in Cuba not controlled by the government, said last week it was closing down due to lack of resources.The fortnightly magazine published by the Catholic Diocese of the western city of Pinar del Rio has provided a rare space for critical debate within communist-run Cuba since 1994.

"It's a problem of resources. We do not have material. This year only two editions have appeared. The current one is the last," said the staff member, who asked not to be named.

The magazine's editor, Roman Catholic layman Dagoberto Valdes, could not be reached immediately for comment.

Western diplomats in Havana said Valdes had told them he was having trouble getting hold of 40 boxes of paper and toner needed to produce each edition on six photocopiers.

Valdes complained he was not allowed to buy a printer despite having the money, one diplomat reported.

The publication was supported by the former bishop of Pinar del Rio, Jose Siro Gonzalez, a social progressive, but its future has been in doubt since his retirement in January.

The Vatican backed Valdes's work by appointing him member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 1998, one year after Pope John Paul II's landmark visit to Cuba.

Vitral, named after the Spanish word for stained glass, was distributed from hand to hand through the church's Cuban social network, reaching 10,000 subscribers.

An editorial in Vitral's last edition called for a political opening in Cuba, while criticising the government's "anachronistic and ethically unacceptable" economic policies.

Cuba has been at a crossroads since Cuban leader Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother eight months ago following emergency surgery, it said. Castro, 80, has not appeared in public since.

"This could be the moment for those high in the government to steadily, gradually and peacefully open up the opportunity for participation by all Cubans," the editorial said.