Latin Church Too Leftist? Yes, Says Ex-Somoza Secretary in Miami
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NUNS to take greater social justice role See page 11 Catholic Archdiocese of Miami Vol. XXX No. 27 August 13, 1982 Price 25C Our Mother Church Cathedral flowering forth from era of hard times, historical change Story and pictures on pages 12-13 Built in 1957, St. Mary Cathedral sits in northwest Miami in "Little Haiti" area. Latin Church too leftist? Yes, says ex-Somoza secretary in Miami. Maryknollers say no, it's all social justice action By Ana Rodriguez-Soto middle-class who worked as the late Voice News Editor President Anastasio Somoza's per- At first, Connie Perez says, she sonal secretary for seven years, Perez couldn't believe it, not about the says she nevertheless was not a Maryknoll sisters who had seen her Somocista. In fact, a few months "grow up." But slowly her convic- after the 1979 revolution brought the tion grew and now, rebuilding her life Sandinistas to power, she returned to in Miami after fleeing her native Nicaragua and worked as a translator Nicaragua, her words revealed not so for the new government. She left the much anger as a feeling of betrayal. country for good in 1981, she said, Priests and nuns "started mixing after a teaching and translating job up in politics" she wrote, "and soon with the U.S. embassy there caused they confused their faith in Jesus her to be followed, detained and ac- Christ with the Communist ideals . cused of being a CIA agent. Sandinista supporters ridicule religion, Zionism and the United I find it is a pity how the followers of Her views are personal, but her States during a parade in Managua celebrating the third anniversary Christ are all confused." charges hit a raw communal nerve. It of the Nicaraguan revolution, (NC photo from UPI> A member of Nicaragua's upper (Continued on page 9) Bolivian bishop urges dialogue to avoid civil war LA PAZ, Bolivia (NC) — As of the people." following a power struggle among ar- and chose a president among the two political and labor groups press for a Recent events show that military, my officers. The military has ruled largest vote getters in the 1980 elec- return to civilian rule, blaming the labor and political groups "have Bolivia since the coup of July 1980. tions. military for placing Bolivia on the become entrenched in their own in- The new ruler promised to hold elec- brink of bankruptcy, Archbishop terests, limiting any possibility of rap- tions next April and return power to HERNAN SILES ZUAZO of the Jorge Manrique of La Paz called for port" and "risking a confrontation those who win a majority. Democratic People's Union led in the a political truce to avoid a civil war. among Bolivians no one wants," he The lack of a majority winner in 1980 elections, followed by Victor "Radical polarization is a social added. the 1980 elections was the reason Paz Estenssoro of the Nationalist and political sin that can bring the "THEY MUST break such entren- cited by the 1980 coup leader, Gen. Revolutionary Movement. country to a national confrontation," chment by being open to dialogue," Luis Garcia Meza, for taking over. the archbishop said July 29 in accus- he said. Seven political parties and The country currently faces sky- ing all parties involved of refusing to The archbishop spoke a week after business, labor and peasant groups rocketing inflation, unemployment enter into dialogue and blocking ef- Gen. Guido Vildoso succeeded Gen. have demanded that the military and a large foreign debt. The average forts to alleviate "the grave poverty Celso Torrelio as head of state allow the 1980 Congress to convene income per person is $35 a month. News at a Glance Salvadoran bishops call for peace talks SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (NC) — The Salvadoran bishops, saying that they share the suffering of Salvadorans victimized by violence in the country's civil war, called on all sides to open talks leading to peace. In a letter dated July 17 the bishops said, "We exhort all parties involved in the conflict to abandon their obstinate stands and open a dialogue with sincerity, clarity, loyalty . and to put the unity of the entire Salvadoran community above the interests of in- dividuals or groups." A spokesman for the Revolutionary Democratic Front, the political arm of the revolutionary guerilla forces, said the front was ready to answer the call of the bishops and open dialogue leading to a negotiated settle- ment. As of Aug. 2, the government had not commented on the bishops' letter. U.S.C.C. director says pope calls for economic reforms WASHINGTON (NC) — Ronald Kreitemeyer, director of the U.S. Catholic Conference's Office of Domestic Social Development, in his 1982 Labor Day Statement, says that the teaching of Pope John Paul II calls for "fundamental reforms in our (U.S.) economy." The 3,000-word statement focuses on the "pro- found challenge" of the pope's encyclical, "On Human Work." The annual STATE AFFAIRS — Cardinal Agostino CasaroJi, Vatican Secretary of State, Labor Day Statement is published by the USCC office which Kreitemeyer directs, talks with President Reagan during a meeting at the Knights of Columbus con- but it is a personal statement by the author, not a formal message of the U.S. vention in Hartford, Conn. The two discussed problems in Poland and the Mideast. (NC photo from UPQ bishops or the USCC. While he asserts that church teachings have suggested that "a free market economic system will not, on its own, produce a just result," Kreitemeyer emphasizes that the principles in "On Human Work" are also Brazilian laws too strict, bishops say critical of centralized state socialism. BRASILIA, Brazil (NQ — The Brazilian bishops have asked for the easing of Baker to schedule abortion debate security and immigration laws as part of the military government's "political WASHINGTON (NC) — Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-Tenn.), opening" aimed at fostering a wider civilian role in national affairs. The bishops accused in early July of blocking consideration of the Hatch amendment on abor- criticized the present laws as overly strict and said they hamper church work, tion, has agreed to schedule a Senate debate on the measure on or about Sept. 8, especially missionary activities, since they give the government too much control when Congress returns from its Labor Day recess. Baker's decision, com- over who may enter the country. The bishops also said that "there is an urgent municated to pro-life groups at the end of July, also calls for Senate considera- need for a land reform as a demand of justice in order to uphold the right to land tion in mid-August of two other abortion bills which Sens. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) for those who tiH it." and Mark O. Hatfield (R-Ore.) have proposed. Because Congress will probably adjourn in early October, there is concern that even if the Senate approves the Catholic leaders urge rebuilding of amendment there may not be enough time for it to get through the House. Argentina K of C endorses prayer in schools BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (NQ — In the aftermath of the war with Great WASHINGTON (NC) — A Knights of Columbus official July 29 endorsed a Britain Catholic leaders have been telling their fellow citizens to overcome the proposed constitutional amendment to allow prayer in public schools, but ex- military defeat by rebuilding the nation. The calls came as the defeat plunged the pressed doubts that the states should determine what prayers students should military government into political turmoil and divisions. "Out of the bitterness of recite. In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, John Murphy, depu- defeat . .this nation has recovered a sense of national identity" said Arch- ty supreme knight of the Catholic men's organization, pledged the Knights would bishop Vicente Zaspe of Santa Fe. "Now we must set to rebuild our nation upon work for passage of the amendment and added that it is "because we are a family the true foundations of justice, reconciliation, austerity and peace," he said. organization that we are so concerned" about the issue. The amendment would Bishop Miguel Akman of Rio Gallegos in southern Argentina said "this is no circumvent 1962 and 1963 Supreme Court rulings that forbade official prayer or time to look backward in search of some one to blame. It is the time to face the cur- Bible reading in public school classrooms. President Reagan backs a constitu- rent problems, to solve them and to prepare for a better future, with serenity, tional amendment to return prayer to school classrooms and in May sent to Con- strength and self-confidence.'' gress wording for such an amendment. Pope to visit Costa Rica? Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy USPS Archdioces< e of Miami VATICAN CITY (NQ — Pope John Y0DOB President, The Voice Publishing Co., Inc. Weekly Publication Paul II has not decided whether to make a Voice 6201 Biscayne Blvd.. Miami trip to Costa Rica, said Father Romeo POSTMASTER. Average weekly paid circulation Robert L O'Steen Sera) change of address notices PanciroK, a Vatican spokesman, Aug. 5. 51,006 Editor to THE VOICE. Father Panciroli commented the day .Distributed to the home by mail P.O. Box 38-1059. Miami. FL after Costa Rican government officials on Friday and bought in 132 chur- MAILING ADDRESS said the pope would visit their country ches on Sunday, 45 weeks in the P. 0 BOX 38-1059 Feb. 10-11,1983. year. Ana Rodriguez-Soto-News Editor Edith Miller-Display Advertising Miami, a 33138 TELEPHONES "Nothing has yet been decided on Second class postage paid at Jose P.