Evangelical Leader Named to National Peace Commission

Gustavo Parajón, a Christian relief official and Baptist pastor in Nicaragua, has been appointed to a crucial commission mandated by the recent Central American Peace Accord, The accord, signed by Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica, is designed to resolve the region’s conflicts peacefully.

Tracing these conflicts to “deep divisions within society,” the accord calls for national reconciliation based on “justice, freedom, and democracy.” The agreement commits each country to democratic elections, with “complete freedom of press, television, and radio.” In addition, it assures full rights for opposition groups, including amnesty for members of armed resistance movements.

To monitor compliance with the accord, each country must establish a National Reconciliation Commission made up of a government official, a Catholic bishop, an opposition political leader, and “an outstanding citizen, outside of public office and not pertaining to the party in power.” Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega chose Parajón as the citizen delegate.

Parajón heads the Evangelical Committee for Aid and Development (CEPAD,) an interdenominational relief-and-development organization. Other members of Nicaragua’s National Reconciliation Commission are Sandinista Vice-President Sergio Ramírez; Catholic Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo; and Mauricio Díaz, of the Popular Social Christian Party.

Obando is the Sandinistas’ foremost critic, but some observers say they expect less independence from Díaz. Although he ran against Ortega in the 1984 presidential election, his party often sides with the ruling Sandinistas. Since the National Reconciliation Commission cannot serve its watchdog function if Obando is outflanked, many regard Parajón’s role as crucial.

Lingering Controversy

Parajón’s organization, CEPAD, was formed in the wake of a devastating earthquake in 1972. In relief-and-development work, the interdenominational organization became a model of Christian cooperation. But it has come under fire since the 1979 revolution that replaced the Somoza dynasty with the Sandinista junta. And Parajón’s appointment to the National Reconciliation Commission has stirred a controversy that had been simmering for some time.

CEPAD’s most persistent and influential critic has been the Washington, D.C. based Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD.) In a recent news release, IRD repeated its argument that Parajón and CEPAD have a record of “pro-Sandinista bias.” That bias, IRD says, is evidenced by CEPAD’s cooperation with the Sandinistas, public praise of the “accomplishments” of the revolution, defense of the Sandinistas’ human-rights abuses, and complicity in the Sandinistas’ forced relocation of Miskito Indians.

According to IRD, CEPAD published a primer in 1980 that “lauds Cuban-style socialism as ‘the system that approaches closest to the Gospel ideal.’ ” In addition, IRD says CEPAD’s occasional protests against Sandinista abuses are “strangely timid” compared to CEPAD’S “vehement condemnation” of the U.S. backed contra rebels.

“Unless Dr. Parajón alters his past stance,” says IRD executive director Kent Hill, “it will be difficult for him to play the positive role for which we hope and pray.”

Parajón was in England and could not be reached for comment. However, many Christians in the United States, including Ronald Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action (ESA,) have criticized IRD’s continued accusations. Sider said he has known Parajón for 12 years as “a deeply committed Christian who believes passionately in evangelism and social concerns, economic justice, and political freedom.”

Parajón’s defenders say CEPAD coordinates plans with the Sandinistas to prevent duplication of relief-and-development efforts. And CEPAD’S opposition to the contras is not politically motivated, says Bill Kallio, former ESA executive director, but based on Christian morals: The contras have targeted civilians, including CEPAD health clinics and workers. Further, Parajón has consistently brought local grievances directly to the government, and has protested Sandinista abuses.

Earlier this year, IRD agreed to an open dialogue with Parajón. “IRD’S reiteration of those charges now is deeply disappointing,” said Sider, “for it jeopardizes that dialogue before hearing out Parajón’s response, and undercuts an evangelical brother at a crucial historical moment.”

Parajón’s appointment to the National Reconciliation Commission gives these issues new prominence. Clearly, his response will be under close scrutiny.

By Steve Wykstra.

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