ROME, SEPT. 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Defense of life and the family and aid to the poor are, at present, the top priorities of the Church in Nicaragua, says the president of Nicaragua's episcopal conference.
Archbishop José Brenes Solórzano of Managua said this in statements to Vatican Radio on the occasion of the five-yearly visit to Rome of the country's bishops.
"We know that there is a shadow that threatens the Church: the battles for the approval of abortion," he explained. "We are trying to reinforce the pastoral care of families through our pastoral commissions. In addition, we stress the catechesis of young people, who tomorrow will form families."
Last December the Nicaraguan bishops -- in union with those of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela -- signed a joint pastoral letter denouncing the existence of a plan "to legalize abortion in the whole of Central America."
For Nicaraguan bishops, said Archbishop Brenes, family pastoral care "is a priority, together with that of the pastoral care of young people and education. In these three areas of action, along with vocational pastoral care, we are reinforcing our initiatives in defense of the family."
Other urgencies include evangelization and the care of the poor.
"By nature the Church is missionary and I believe that [...] we have this great challenge to consolidate our identity."
Elections
The bishops' visit to Rome is taking place at a difficult time for the country, on the eve of general elections and in the midst of an economic and political crisis.
In fact, on June 21 of this year the Nicaraguan episcopal conference published a document appealing strongly to Catholics to participate in politics.
"It is a time of lights and shadows," said the bishops. Along with the social achievements obtained in recent years, there is "preoccupation in face of the extreme poverty, which still affects too many Nicaraguans," and contributes to "aggravate phenomena such as violence in families, urban violence, forced migrations and drug trafficking."
The bishops also complained about the country's tense political climate, "which is often translated in insults, personal attacks and verbal violence." They lamented the absence "of Catholic leaders who are consistent with their own religious and ethical convictions."
Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, is also the poorest, with a low per capita income and a high rate of strikes, though the country has improved economically in recent years.
The coalition government, which resulted from the last elections, is headed by Sandinista Daniel Ortega.
