Threat to Jesuits in Nicaragua

Floor Speech

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Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness of a very serious threat against a member of the Society of Jesus in Nicaragua by reading in the Congressional Record a declaration from the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus.

It is a letter written by Father Scott Santarosa, father provincial of the Society of Jesus for the West Province, and it reads like this:

``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.''--Matthew 5:9.

As many of you know, Nicaragua is currently experiencing a serious and increasing political crisis. The people who demand democracy, freedom, and justice are firmly committed to seeking a peaceful solution. There are already more than 153 Nicaraguans who have lost their lives in just over a month of struggling toward such a resolution.

The Society of Jesus, present in Nicaragua since 1916, has joined the people in this commitment. Our human, ethical, and Christian conviction requires us to share support and defend a peaceful solution to the conflict.

We still have time to avoid more polarization, more bloodshed, and more pain. Honest dialogue and serious negotiation are vital in order to achieve it, for whoever wants peace does not assault, persecute, mistreat, or intimidate.

We have been informed by a reliable source that the life of Father Jose Alberto Idiaquez, S.J., rector of the Central American University, the UCA of Nicaragua, is in serious danger.

Father Idiaquez has been threatened for participating in the National Dialogue convened by the Bishops' Conference, for standing alongside the students, for defending the human rights of those who are demanding respect for their constitutional rights, for making continuous calls to the Nicaraguan Government to give concrete signs that they too seek justice and democracy, and for involving the university in the efforts of the Nicaraguan people.

Father general of the Society of Jesus, Father Arturo Sosa, S.J., resident in Rome, has been informed of this threat. With his support and on behalf of all of the Jesuits and committed lay collaborators in Jesuits West, we stand with the Jesuits of Central America and all of the lay people that make up the 40 Jesuit institutions that serve the people of Central America.

We join Father Rolando Alvarado, S.J., provincial of Central American Province, in holding the Nicaraguan Government responsible for any aggression or attack that may be suffered by Father Jose Alberto Idiaquez, S.J.

I call on the national and international human rights organizations, the Organization of American States, the U.N., the European Parliament, and all Jesuit universities of the world, the different churches, the U.S. Government, and all of those committed to basic human dignity, to strongly support the peaceful negotiations of a solution to the tragic situation that the country is experiencing and demand respect for the physical safety of all Nicaraguans who, like Father Idiaquez, S.J., and the Bishop' Conference students, and other members of the civil society who are participating in the National Dialogue, are working for a lasting peace that is borne from justice.

It is signed by Father Scott Santarosa, S.J. He is, again, the provincial of the western province.

As many of you will recall, back in 1989, a very similar threat was made against Father Ignacio Ellacuria of the UCA of El Salvador. Unfortunately, that threat ended in the death of Father Ellacuria, along with five other Jesuits at the UCA, the Central American University, as well as two lay people.

I think this is a very serious threat that our country has to take a look at and demand that steps be taken to protect the life of all Nicaraguans, and particularly the students and the rector of the Central American University, the Jesuit institution there.

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