VICAR SUGGESTS TO DAS MADISON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000942 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA K. MADISON, WHA/CEN, USAID/LAC M. MAGAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016 TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN KDEM NU PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: VICAR SUGGESTS TO DAS MADISON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FAVORS NICARAGUA,S DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) In Managua Vicar Carlos Aviles' April 24 meeting with DAS Madison, USAID DAA Mike Magan, and Ambassador, he affirmed that the Catholic Church will not pronounce in favor of a particular candidate. However, the Church does support democracy and favors candidates who make realistic promises, not messianic politicians who offer false hopes. He indicated that the "Marxists/Sandinistas have a captive vote" of about 30%, while Nicaragua's democratic vote is divided. ¶2. (SBU) Aviles reiterated the Church's desire to participate in the election observation process through CARITAS. Madison and Magan assured Aviles that the USG values the Catholic Church's participation and is arranging Church participation through USAID's elections partners. Magan suggested that while it is understandable that churches cannot endorse a particular candidate, they can convey messages that certain candidates more closely represent their beliefs, as is customary in the United States. Aviles replied that unlike U.S. politicians, Nicaraguan politicians have no platforms, and it is hard to pin them down on issues. However, he said the Church will consider this idea. ¶3. (U) The Vicar announced that the Church will offer a special elections mass before the November 5 elections to call for a peaceful process. Following the elections, the Church will arrange another mass of thanks. He also reported that the Church and two Catholic universities will sponsor a lecture series on the elections in August; these activities are part of the Church's efforts to encourage people to vote and to educate them on the options, he explained. ¶4. (C) Aviles acknowledged that Ortega is seeking a spiritual pardon from Cardinal Obando. In the Vicar's view, however, true forgiveness requires not only confession, but also contrition and corrective action, which in Ortega's case has not occurred. ¶5. (U) Participants: Nicaragua: Vicar Carlos Aviles Padre Raul Zamora (Archbishop Brenes' personal assistant) U.S.: Deputy Assistant Secretary Kirsten Madison Ambassador Paul Trivelli USAID DAA Mike Magan A/DCM Alex Dickie Polcouns Victoria Alvarado (notetaker) ¶6. (C) Comment: As expected, the Vicar did not endorse a particular candidate; however, his equating of Sandinistas with Marxists and his observation that the Church supports democracy, suggest that the Church indeed prefers a democratic candidate. Thus, while we cannot expect an outright endorsement of a particular candidate, the Church may convey a more subtle message to the Nicaraguan people that the Church is uncomfortable with Sandinista candidate Daniel Ortega. End Comment. TRIVELLI