Castro attends opening of Catholic convent
HAVANA, March 27 - Cuban President Fidel Castro made what he called a gesture of "peace and justice" to the Catholic Church on Saturday, attending the opening of a convent of Brigittine nuns in Havana.
"A world of peace and justice is possible. This is what we are trying to prove here today," Castro, dressed in a business suit instead of his trademark military fatigues, said in a speech broadcast live from the convent on Cuban television.
"Without the help and generosity of Comandante Fidel Castro we would not be here today," said Mother Tekla Hussein, Abbess of the Order of Saint Bridget founded by a 14th Century Swedish mystic.
Mother Tekla was later expected to decorate Castro with the medal of her order. Officials said it would be the first time Castro had accepted a religious decoration.