A Peace Message From Nicaragua

Reunited for the first time with more than 1,000 faithful who fled Nicaragua’s civil war, Roman Catholic Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo of Managua celebrated an outdoor Mass in Lynwood on Sunday and urged Southern California’s Central American community to work for postwar peace.

The 73-year-old archbishop, who is credited with mediating an end to the violent political conflict that ravaged Nicaragua during the ‘80s, delivered a message in his homily on the challenges of maintaining peace in all aspects of society long after the guns have been silenced.

“Peace does not only mean the end of war,” the cardinal declared, speaking in Spanish at Lynwood Middle School stadium, transformed into an open-air cathedral. “‘Peace means having hospitals. Peace means having necessary medicine. Peace means having a tranquil home and family. . . . We must work for the peace. Christ is the prince of peace. Let us open the doors of our hearts to Christ.”

Obando y Bravo last visited Southern California briefly in 1984, during the civil war between the leftist Sandinista government and Contra rebels. So his current four-day visit was much anticipated by the estimated 40,000 Nicaraguans of all political persuasions who now live in Southern California. In his honor, the school’s stadium was decorated with potted palm trees and blue and white balloons, the colors of the Nicaraguan flag.

His message of reconciliation was an apt one for the spiritual leader who is revered by many in the Nicaraguan community as “Cardenal de La Paz,” or “Cardinal of the Peace.” Due to his brash, outspoken style and criticism of their policies during the civil war, the Sandinista government had vilified him as “the Contra Cardinal.” However, both sides came to appreciate his role as mediator in the war, which left nearly 30,000 dead and ended after the Sandinistas lost the 1990 presidential election. Obando y Bravo was praised by Pope John Paul II and has come to symbolize stability throughout Central America.

Although the bloodletting has ceased in Central America, the wounds of the Nicaraguan community in Southern California have not healed, and people remain divided in political beliefs. Community members also say recent controversy over the Nicaraguan government’s handling of Hurricane Mitch aid funds has worsened tensions.

Jorge Obregon Jr., a Los Angeles travel agent who helped organize Sunday’s Mass, hopes the cardinal’s visit will unify the community.

“Since politics separates us, religion may be able to bring us closer together,” he said. “For many of us, our main concern is no longer politics in Nicaragua. It’s our life here, working and raising our children.”

Ron Ballesteros, another organizer of the event, also said the community should heed the cardinal’s message of unity.

“There is still this feeling that if you’re a Sandinista, I have to stay away from you,” said Ballesteros, who declined to state his own political views. “We want to put those things aside. We’re looking to him to break the ice. We’re hoping he can be the key that brings us together.”

Father Dennis O’Neil, pastor of St. Emydius Church in Lynwood, believes the cardinal’s legacy as a mediator is a symbol for the Central American immigrant community.

“His real purpose in coming here was to strengthen the bonds between all immigrants. He encourages them to keep ties with their country,” O’Neil said.

The long-awaited visit culminates more than six years of work by a Los Angeles Catholic prayer group called La Purisima which is raising funds for a seminary in Nicaragua.

After Sunday’s mass, Ligia Molina, a member of the group, reflected on the cardinal’s significance.

“Nicaragua is a small country, beset by war and now natural disaster. The situation has never been stable, except for him. Everyone has faith in him. We look up to him as a guide and a leader,” said Molina, who lives in Rowland Heights.

As the Mass ended, the cardinal was mobbed by people seeking to touch his hand and feel his presence.

Aura Oubichon of Hawthorne was moved to tears and said what she believed many were feeling in their hearts.

“Twenty years ago when the fighting began, I left my country,” she said fighting her tears. “He stayed for us. He stayed.”