516. Memorandum of Conversation1 2
Participants:
- Monsignor Obando y Bravo, Archbishop of Managua
- James R. Cheek, Chief, Political Section, American Embassy, Managua
During a frank and friendly hour and a half conversation the Archbishop made the following comments:
Political Role of the Church
The Archbishop emphasized that the Church did not and could not take “partisan” positions in politics because its congregation includes all political elements. Likewise, the Church could not properly be a political leader. The laity was responsible for political leadership and the Church’s mission was to counsel and advise the laity. Consequently, while the Church supported ideals and principles and positions which were consistent with its beliefs, it did not approve candidates or parties.
In the Archbishop’s opinion, the Church was above all the spokesman of the “little man”, and in many instances his only ally in obtaining redress for grievances or combating injustices which he suffered. In meeting its obligations to serve the common man the Church sometimes had to oppose the Government and powerful economic and political interests. Nevertheless, the Church could not shirk its responsibilities or be afraid to take a stand.
The Archbishop stressed, however, that the Church must fight injustice and other evils besetting mankind by peaceful means. He recalled his July speech to the National University wherein he explained the concept of “moral violence” which the Church should use to combat the “physical violence” that Governments often employ against the masses. He ridiculed those that accuse the Church of supporting and participating in subversion and armed revolution. He observed that such a course would be foolish and futile for an institution such as the Church which had neither weapons [Page 2] nor funds. Moreover, the ultimate responsibility of the Church was to preserve human life, not to sacrifice it.
Status of Church Relations with Government
After a lengthy discussion of trends in Church-State relations over the past year (as reported in Managua A–104), the Archbishop agreed that the Nicaraguan Church was trying to follow a middle-of-the-road (“termino medio”) course between the opposition and the Government. He acknowledged the Church’s, and his own, interest in avoiding a conflict with the Government. However, the Government could not expect the Church to return to its former role of uncritically and unfailingly supporting official policies and actions. The Church, like other institutions, had opened its doors to modern influences and reforms. It had also made a commitment to the youth and was determined to do everything possible to hold onto them. These were trends which could not be reversed. The problem, therefore, was not with the Church but with the Government which refused to accommodate these new forces at work in the world and resisted reforms of social, economic and political structures. If the GON were to change its policies and make needed reforms it would not have to worry about opposition from the Church; to the contrary, it could count on the full support of the Church.
The New Bishop of Granada
The Archbishop acknowledged that the new Bishop of Granada appeared to be a middle-of-the-roader. Recalling his own beginnings as a Bishop, he noted that new Bishops normally approach their job cautiously and try to please all members of their congregation. He implied, however, that he thought Bishop Lopez sympathized with the Bishops who issued the Pastoral Letter and they could count on his support in the future.
Reporting Officer’s Comments
Archbishop Obando y Bravo conveys a strong impression of honesty and sincerity. He is also friendly and kind and very gentle in his approach. These qualities tend to give him a certain charisma, particularly as a religious leader. The Archbishop emerged as a much more articulate person than I had believed him to be. This improvement may well result from the heavy exposure to younger, more articulate members of the clergy which [Page 3] he has had in recent years. Although he did not specifically say so, I gathered the distinct impression that, deep down inside, the Archbishop is “anti-Somocismo” (that is, not opposed to the Somozas personally but opposed to their system of one-family rule in perpetuity). While he keeps this feeling submerged, the tone and content of his remarks occasionally give a glimpse of what lies underneath.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–7 NIC. Confidential. The meeting took place in the Archbishop’s office. It was transmitted to the Department as an Enclosure to Airgram A–104 from Managua, November 3, which is published as Document 517.↩
- Political Officer Cheek met with Archbishop Obando y Bravo to discuss the political role of the Church and increased confrontation with the state. Obando y Bravo indicated that the Church had an obligation to fight injustice and other evils, and criticized the Government of Nicaragua for acts of violence against the population.↩