VATICAN SEES NO CAMPAIGN AGAINST NICARAGUAN CHURCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 002712 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2014 TAGS: NU PHUM PREL SOCI VT SUBJECT: VATICAN SEES NO CAMPAIGN AGAINST NICARAGUAN CHURCH REF: A. MANAGUA 1829 ¶B. MANAGUA 1910 Classified By: CDA Peter G. Martin; Reasons 1.5 (b and d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Vatican Country Director for Nicaragua Lucio Sembrano said July 8 that he did not regard current Church-State tensions (reftels) as a result of any government campaign against the Church. While not entirely excusing government offenses against Catholic hierarchy, Sembrano (protect throughout) acknowledged that actions by Cardinal Obando and others had increased tensions with the government. He said President Bolanos was "doing his best" in a difficult situation. Though Sembrano sees little chance of influencing Obando and like-minded prelates on this issue, he said that the Holy See would not be disappointed when the Cardinal is out of the spotlight. End Summary. -------------- No Government Campaign against the Church -------------- ¶2. (C) Vatican Country Director for Nicaragua Lucio Sembrano (protect throughout) told us July 8 that the Holy See did not regard current Church-State tensions in Nicaragua (reftels) as a result of any campaign against the Church by the GON. While not entirely excusing government offenses against the Church, Sembrano said the Bolanos government had been "very patient" in handling the "noisy" opposition coming from certain parties within the church, specifically Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo. Bolanos "is doing his best" in a difficult situation, Sembrano said. -------------- Hierarchy not Helping Matters -------------- ¶3. (C) Sembrano made it clear he thought Cardinal Obando was not helping matters. Though he did not seem aware that Obando had agreed to celebrate the July 19 anniversary Mass (ref b),Sembrano suggested that Obando "naively" believed that Daniel Ortega had "reformed himself." Obando "doesn't realize the ramifications of some of his actions," Sembrano concluded. -------------- Vatican Pressure -------------- ¶4. (C) Sembrano led us to believe that Vatican pressure on Obando and other churchmen to temper provocative actions in relation to the government was ineffective. On the other hand, Sembrano told us, the Vatican would not be disappointed when Obando, who is already beyond the standard episcopal retirement age of 75, left the spotlight. Though Sembrano did not name any leading candidates waiting in the wings to replace Obando, he noted that Catholic Prelature Opus Dei might be in a position to influence the eventual choice, as it is strong in Nicaragua. -------------- Papal Nuncio Active, but Unheeded -------------- ¶5. (C) As far as other Vatican opportunities to influence the situation, Sembrano said that current Papal Nuncio Jean-Paul Gobel was "active," but predicted that he would inevitably find himself on the wrong side of the Nicaraguan bishops -- if he wasn't already there. Most attempts to influence the bishops tended to alienate them, he said, as they were strong willed and resented interference, even from Rome. He said the previous nuncio had experienced the same problems. -------------- 1861 Concordat -------------- ¶6. (C) When asked about the GON's renewed interest in the 1861 Concordat (ref b),Sembrano noted that government officials had approached Gobel and asked for a copy of the document. They also asked for a list of all the previous nuncios who had served in Managua, as apparently the archives containing this information had been destroyed. Sembrano said the Holy See was not concerned about the Concordat affair; there was talk of updating the document, but the Vatican would of course do nothing without consulting the Bishops' Conference. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Sembrano, who always speaks frankly with us, displayed a sympathy for the Nicaraguan government that was striking given current tensions. This, however, does not mean the Vatican can or will influence the situation. The Holy See is typically less willing to meddle in political issues than it is in theological matters. Even when it does wade into politics, its leverage on bishops is weaker when it comes to political affairs than it is with issues of "faith and morals." ¶8. (C) Further, though Sembrano implied that the Vatican would be content to see the 78-year-old Obando retire, in fact, the matter lies entirely in the Pope's hands. A bishop must offer his resignation to the Pope when he turns 75. Though the Pope asks some prelates to continue to serve beyond age 75, he can at any later date move to accept their resignation. Having initially declined Obando's resignation three years ago, the Vatican may now be simply waiting for a lull in the political action to ease him discretely into retirement. However, the Holy See could be so hesitant to risk action in this environment that it will now allow Obando effectively to decide on his own when he wants to hang up his mitre. MARTIN