Daniel Ortega Asks Church For Forgiveness

Wow! Daniel Ortega – the man in charge of the Sandinista movement in Nicaragua during the 1980’s – has asked the Catholic Church for forgiveness for the “errors” committed by his government:

The Holy See has been informed of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega’s request for forgiveness for the “errors” committed by his government (1979-1990) with the Catholic Church, a religious source stated yesterday.

During the commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the triumph of the “Sandinista Popular Revolution,” Ortega said that in a meeting with Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando last Saturday, prior to the celebration, he requested forgiveness for the errors of his government.

Ortega admitted that in the 80s there was acute tension with and antagonism toward the Catholic Church, which he said would not be repeated if the Sandinista Front of National Liberation (SFNL) returns to power following the 2006 elections.

The regime headed by Ortega expelled 18 priests, including one bishop. The most intense moment was experienced during John Paul II’s first visit to Managua in 1983, when Sandinista militants tried to boycott the Mass.

Several times during the Mass, the Pope had to ask the group that interrupted his homily for silence.