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Cuba ordains first woman bishop | Cuba ordains first woman bishop |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Episcopal Church in Cuba has consecrated a woman bishop - the first in the developing world. | The Episcopal Church in Cuba has consecrated a woman bishop - the first in the developing world. |
The Reverend Nerva Cot is now the 18th female bishop in 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. | 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. |
Only the Catholic Church, which has the largest Christian congregation in the country, did not send a senior official to the ceremony. | Only the Catholic Church, which has the largest Christian congregation in the country, did not send a senior official to the ceremony. |
Communist Cuba was officially atheist until it changed its constitution in 1992. | Communist Cuba was officially atheist until it changed its constitution in 1992. |
Break with tradition | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |