( dpa ) - The Cuban Catholic Bishops' Conference (COCC) on Monday gave a "vote of confidence" to new President Raul Castro, who they said has promised to implement changes for the "welfare of the Cuban people."
"At this time our prayer goes up to the Lord and to Our Lady of Charity, our Mother, the patron saint of Cuba, for them to have the light from above to carry out with determination those transcendental measures that we know must be progressive, but which can start to satisfy from now the longings and interests expressed by Cubans," the COCC said in a statement.
Raul Castro was elected the country's new leader on Sunday, replacing his brother Fidel Castro who ruled Cuba for nearly 50 years.
The Catholic bishops recalled that they have at various times in the recent past prayed that peace would not be disturbed on the Caribbean island.
"Today we want to thank God because that peace made it possible, at a certain time, that the highest authorities in the country invited workers, students and the people at large to debate the most urgent problems of all sorts that affect our people," the bishops said.