Female Episcopalian Bishop Named In Cuba
Reverend Nerva Cot, a Cuban Episcopalian priest, has just been named Bishop, the first Episcopalian woman ever to be so named in a Third World Country.
her appointment as one of two new auxiliary bishops in Cuba was announced on Sunday at a ceremony attended by Canada's Archbishop Andrew Hutchison and U.S. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman elected to lead the church in the United States.
Nerva Cot (right)
Official government policy during the 60's, 70's, and 80's was to oppose church membership, with hostility and outright harassment directed at anyone declaring a religious affiliation. membership in the Communist Party (and thus access to better jobs and career advancement) was denied to anyone who attended church.
during the 90's, as the full effect of the Soviet collapse hit Cuba, many flocked to churches for help in coping with the difficult times. the government essentially recognized the growing popularity of churches in Cuba and allowed religious worship even for Communist Party members in the early 90's.
still, tensions between the government and religious figures can run high. recently, Pastor Carlos Lamelas was charged with "human trafficking" and brought to trial, despite the lack of evidence to that effect. Observers believe he is being persecuted for his religious beliefs, as have other religious figures in Cuba.
Pastor Lamelas was acquitted of the charge of human trafficking this past December, but fined $1,000 Cuban pesos (approximately five month's salary for the average Cuban) for "falsifying documents," a charge that had not been previously made against him.
her appointment as one of two new auxiliary bishops in Cuba was announced on Sunday at a ceremony attended by Canada's Archbishop Andrew Hutchison and U.S. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman elected to lead the church in the United States.
Nerva Cot (right)
Official government policy during the 60's, 70's, and 80's was to oppose church membership, with hostility and outright harassment directed at anyone declaring a religious affiliation. membership in the Communist Party (and thus access to better jobs and career advancement) was denied to anyone who attended church.
during the 90's, as the full effect of the Soviet collapse hit Cuba, many flocked to churches for help in coping with the difficult times. the government essentially recognized the growing popularity of churches in Cuba and allowed religious worship even for Communist Party members in the early 90's.
still, tensions between the government and religious figures can run high. recently, Pastor Carlos Lamelas was charged with "human trafficking" and brought to trial, despite the lack of evidence to that effect. Observers believe he is being persecuted for his religious beliefs, as have other religious figures in Cuba.
Pastor Lamelas was acquitted of the charge of human trafficking this past December, but fined $1,000 Cuban pesos (approximately five month's salary for the average Cuban) for "falsifying documents," a charge that had not been previously made against him.
posted by Yimboro | 6:31 PM
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