Pope Affirms a Kinder, Gentler Politics in Nicaragua

Pope calls for "nourishing a conception of politics that, more than ambition for power and control, is a generous and humble service to the common good."

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI is praising the bishops of Nicaragua for fostering a concept of politics that does not revolve around power and money, but rather generosity and humility.

The Pope lauded the bishops for this balance when he received them in audience today, led by Archbishop Leopoldo Brenes Solórzano, president of the Nicaraguan episcopal conference. The bishops are in Rome for their five-yearly visit.

The Holy Father acknowledged that one of the greatest challenges faced by the Nicaraguan prelates is the "solid religious formation" of the faithful, "endeavoring to imprint the Gospel profoundly in their minds, their lives and their work, so that, in the different realms of society, they will be leaven of the Kingdom of God with their witness and contribute to ordering temporal affairs according to justice, responding to the total vocation of man on earth."

The Pontiff said this formation in particularly important in the situation of the Central American country, where in addition to problems of poverty and emigration, there is also the problem of "acute social inequalities and political radicalization, especially in recent years."

He added: "I note with satisfaction that, as pastors, you share the vicissitudes of your people and, while scrupulously respecting the autonomy of public administration, you endeavor to create a climate of dialogue and détente, without giving up the defense of the fundamental rights of man and denouncing unjust situations, nourishing a conception of politics that, more than ambition for power and control, is a generous and humble service to the common good.

"I encourage you in this endeavor."

More than passive

Benedict XVI also pointed to a need to help Nicaraguan Catholics go beyond living the faith out of custom; Nicaragua is some 81% Catholic."Popular religiosity also, so rooted in your peoples and such a great wealth for them, must be more than a simple tradition received passively," the Holy Father said.And he encouraged a pastoral action that "continually revitalizes" this religiosity, making "the profundity of the gestures and signs shine, indicating the unfathomable mystery of salvation and hope to which they point, and of which God has made us participants, illuminating minds, filling hearts and committing lives."