This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6738749.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cuba to consecrate female bishop Cuba ordains first woman bishop
(about 17 hours later)
The Episcopal Church in Cuba is due to consecrate the first female bishop in the developing world. The Episcopal Church in Cuba has consecrated a woman bishop - the first in the developing world.
The Reverend Nerva Cot, a former teacher, has said she views her appointment as a tremendous honour. The Reverend Nerva Cot is now the 11th female bishop in the world.
The service in Havana is expected to be attended by senior figures from the Episcopal Church around the world. As Ms Cot was consecrated, she was surrounded by senior Church leaders from within Cuba, as well as the bishops of Panama, Haiti and Miami.
Havana's small Episcopal cathedral is expected to be overflowing with worshippers witnessing the consecration of Ms Cot. Only the Catholic Church, which has the largest Christian congregation in the country, did not send a senior official to the ceremony.
Among those due to participate is the head of the Episcopal Church in the US, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and other high level representatives from Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. Communist Cuba was officially atheist until it changed its constitution in 1992.
Ms Cot says that although the process which led to her appointment goes back at least 25 years, she was still surprised when she realised she was going to become a bishop. Break with tradition
There was hardly space in Havana's modest Episcopal cathedral for all the people that wanted to see this small piece of history being made.
In the congregation were priests from Afro-Cuban religions and hundreds of Cuban worshippers.
Cuba's ruling Communist Party was represented by the head of its Religious Affairs Office, Caridad Diego.
She told the BBC that her government was proud that this country now had a woman bishop and she believed Communists and religious leaders shared many ideals and should work together for the good of humanity.
Ms Cot says that although the process that led to her appointment goes back at least 25 years, she was still surprised when she realised she was going to become a bishop.
Much of the service followed the traditions of the Anglican communion but at the end there was a reminder that plenty of traditions can be broken - in their robes the bishops walked down the aisle clapping to a Cuban rhythm.