Revolution and the Church in Nicaragua and El Salvador

Abstract

The political crisis and economic chaos that prevail in Central America have long provided necessary conditions for revolt. Were these also sufficient conditions, however, every nation of the region, or for that matter of the Third World, would have long ago been engulfed by the fires of revolution. Clearly, there are additional factors that have contributed to the political turmoil currently sweeping through the isthmus. The principal catalyst has been the emergence of liberation theology in the Catholic Church and, in the case of Nicaragua, the various Protestant churches. The theology of liberation in Central America has received relatively little attention in the relevant literature as a philosophical and political force. This article represents an attempt to compare the impact of liberation theology on the church and its relationship to the revolutionary process in two countries: Nicaragua and El Salvador. The periods examined are not exactly identical. In Nicaragua, an examination is made of the churches before the overthrow of Anastasio Somoza in July 1979, with some discussion in the conclusion of what has caused the recent conflict between the Sandinistas and the Catholic church. In El Salvador, the focus is on the recent events in this country's ongoing struggle, especially after the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero. First, however, it is necessary to outline and describe the origins of liberation theology in Latin America, especially its meaning and message for those who have embraced this revolutionary doctrine. Over the last decade, religion has had a surprisingly powerful political impact, but the relation between religion and politics remains confused and unexamined. Conventional wisdom still holds on to