Managua, Nicaragua, Feb 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The national assembly of Nicaragua decided this week to declare the Archbishop of Managua, Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, the “Cardinal of peace” for his work during years for reconciliation in the country.
Congressman Edwin Castro, undersecretary of the National Assembly, said lawmakers agreed to pass a resolution after February 15 to confer the honorary title on the cardinal.
Congressman Castro said the initiative “is a request from all of the representatives” to recognize in life the “contribution” of Cardinal Obando in solving “the crisis in Nicaragua.” ”In all aspects of his ministry (the cardinal) has been a pillar of salvation, a cause for unity and a source of mediation in numerous and diverse difficulties, negotiations, battles and wars,” he said.
He added that at the international level, the archbishop of Managua has been the recipient of diverse acknowledgments.
Currently Cardinal Obando is at the Vatican and will possible return to Nicaragua on February 12. The cardinal has been acting as an observer to negotiations between the government and opposition leaders.