Nicaraguan Sandinista Leader Asks Church For Forgiveness

Zenit ^ | 2003-07-23

[nickcarraway]

The Holy See Is Informed about the Request

MANAGUA, JULY 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See has been informed of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega's request for forgiveness for the "errors" committed by his government (1979-1990) with the Catholic Church, a religious source stated yesterday.

During the commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the triumph of the "Sandinista Popular Revolution," Ortega said that in a meeting with Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando last Saturday, prior to the celebration, he requested forgiveness for the errors of his government.

Ortega admitted that in the 80s there was acute tension with and antagonism toward the Catholic Church, which he said would not be repeated if the Sandinista Front of National Liberation (SFNL) returns to power following the 2006 elections.

The regime headed by Ortega expelled 18 priests, including one bishop. The most intense moment was experienced during John Paul II's first visit to Managua in 1983, when Sandinista militants tried to boycott the Mass.

Several times during the Mass, the Pope had to ask the group that interrupted his homily for silence.

Monsignor Francisco Cesar Garcia Magan, in charge of affairs at the Apostolic Nunciature of Managua, told the EFE agency that the forgiveness Ortega has requested for his regime "has been communicated to the Holy See."

Monsignor added that it was not a question of the Nunciature requesting "forgiveness for Ortega and his government, or that the Holy See will pronounce itself in this respect, but that we have reported Ortega's request."

"It is a very positive thing, if an important political reality (in Nicaragua), such as the SFNL, carries out that exercise of purification and recognizes the errors when reviewing its history. This is a healthy exercise of purification of the memory," the monsignor added.

The SFNL is not "using" the Nicaraguan Catholic hierarchy with its sights set on the next elections, because "if a person or institution offers a gesture or a word, it must be assumed that it arises out of sincerity and veracity," Monsignor Garcia Magan continued.

"When Peter asked Jesus: Master, how many times must a forgive my brother. Jesus said to him seventy times seven," Monsignor recalled, adding that "if we proclaim the mercy of God and we experience that mercy of God, we must also be witnesses of that mercy and God always gives to each one, in personal matters, a second and third opportunity."

[nickcarraway]

ping

[joesnuffy]

The SFNL is not "using" the Nicaraguan Catholic hierarchy with its sights set on the next elections, because "if a person or institution offers a gesture or a word, it must be assumed that it arises out of sincerity and veracity," Monsignor Garcia Magan continued.

LOL....yeah right!

"When Peter asked Jesus: Master, how many times must a forgive my brother. Jesus said to him seventy times seven," Monsignor recalled, adding that "if we proclaim the mercy of God and we experience that mercy of God, we must also be witnesses of that mercy and God always gives to each one, in personal matters, a second and third opportunity."

Did he ask God for forgiveness of his sins or only confess to the church elder the "errors" of the govt. he administered?

Phony commie...an even more phony church offical...imo

[Ditto]

In other news, actor Ed Asner's head just exploded after making multiple 360 degree rotations while vomiting a green gooey substance.

Film at 11.

[jla]

You could hear a pin drop standing anywhere in Liberalville right now.

[jla]

I hope Ed and the rest of his Hollywood pals have the decency & honor to apologize for what they said about, and to, President Reagan at the time.

[jla]

fyi

BTW...Our Ann covers the Left's infatuation with Lil' Dan in her best-selling book, Treason.

[nickcarraway]

Ron Radosh talks about his experiences with Sandanistas here:

Commies: A Journey Through the Old Left, the New Left and the Leftover Left

[ArcLight]

Well, Lord bless him. There'll be more rejoicing in heaven over the lost sheep that was found than over the 99 that never strayed.

[solzhenitsyn]

Does this mean the Sandinista heavies will be moving out of all the houses they stole from private citizens?

[Tom Bombadil]

Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega's request for forgiveness for the "errors" committed by his government...

And the terrorist responsible for pushing Leon Klinghoffer into the Mediterranean later called it a "mistake".

How about "what I did was evil and wrong...."? This "errors" stuff is like saying "oh, I didn't manipulate you to my advantage last time, please forgive my error"!..........This is just plain stupid.

[livius]

I agree, Tom, it seems that a lot of these folks are getting off scot-free, considering the damage they have caused.

But in terms of Nicaragua (I'm a translator and do a lot of work from there, where they are busy trying to rebuild their institutions after years of Communist violence and corruption), I think this is a good thing.

Sincere change of heart? Who knows, the Church now seems to have forgotten about personal sin and those inconvenient details. It's Ortega's problem (and the bishop's) on the last day, and not for us to worry about.

Good for Nicaragua? Yes.

[lowbridge]

Ortega admitted that in the 80s there was acute tension with and antagonism toward the Catholic Church, which he said would not be repeated if the Sandinista Front of National Liberation (SFNL) returns to power following the 2006 elections.

Bull. Never trust a communist.

[Bonaparte]

"Does this mean the Sandinista heavies will be moving out of all the houses they stole from private citizens?"

And does this mean Ortega will confess that he repeatedly raped his young step daughter? Does it mean he will turn himself over to the authorities for that heinous crime, serve out his full sentence and make full restitution to his victim? I hope so, since there is no forgiveness without repentence.