Church, State, and Society during the Nicaraguan Revolution

The course of the Church's history in Nicaragua had changedfrom an institution led by a martyred Bishop protecting Indianrights before Rome and the Spanish King to one largelyconcerned with protecting its own interests followingNicaragua’s independence to one that had come to terms with itsmission to save souls and to serve its people. However, many ofthose who took the initiative to bring the Church toward a morehumanitarian orientation in modern times had allowedthemselves to become the tool of a revolutionary politicalmovement whose aim was to perpetuate its own power.Ironically, those who truly wished to serve God and His peoplefound themselves oppressed by those who claimed that theywere doing the same. After a long struggle, a free election in1990 brought to power a series of democratic governmentsallowing freedom of the Church to fulfil its mission.