Letter to Cardinal Obando on Peace Process in Nicaragua, April 4, 1988

April 4, 1988

His Eminence Miguel Cardinal Obando y Bravo
Archbishop of Managua
Apartado 2008
Managua
NICARAGUA

Your Eminence:

Let me take the occasion of this joyous feast of the Lord's Resurrection in which we commemorate the definitive triumph of life over death, to express our prayerful gratitude to you and, through you, to all those on both sides of the conflict, who have courageously converted the agreement signed in Guatemala into the beginnings of what we all hope will be a true peace process.

None of us knows what difficulties and set-backs may lie ahead. It is our fervent prayer however, as I know it is yours, that the agreements forged at Sapoa will lead ultimately to true peace, justice, and reconciliation.

Our Congress has just approved a significant program of financial assistance to the opposition forces for the purpose of sustaining them while the peace talks go forward. Included in the program is generous support for the work of the verification commission, on which you play such a crucial role. Equally encouraging is the congressional action to provide funds to assist the young victims of the war, the children who have suffered so cruelly from this conflict.

Our bishops conference, as you know, has consistently opposed all provision of military support to both sides in this fratricidal conflict over many years. Even before the meeting at Sapoa, however, we were able to express our support for a program of aid to the opposition forces that was clearly within the spirit of Esquipu1as II and was, in fact, designed to further the peace process. That program was defeated by the Congress a month ago. The overwhelming vote in support of a similar program by the Congress in these last days is a sign of hope that all sides may now be working to forge a lasting and just peace. 

Receive our sentiments of esteem and be assured that you and all the people of Nicaragua hold a special place in our prayers. May the grace of the Risen Lord be especially present to those who bear the heavy responsibility of creating the new path to peace in your land.

Fraternally in Christ,

Most Reverend John L. May
Archbishop of t. Louis
President, NCCB/USCC

letter-to-cardinal-obando-on-peace-process-nicaragua-1988-04-04.pdf