NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MANAGUA (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo has called upon officials of both Church and state in Nicaragua to set aside all political considerations as they distribute humanitarian aid to the victims of hurricane Mitch.

      The cardinal-- who has been asked by the Nicaraguan government to supervise the aid distribution, in a move designed to calm fears that corrupt government officials seek to profit from the disaster-- said that everyone involved in the relief effort should respect both the suffering of the victims and the generosity of the donors. The aid, he insisted, must be apportioned first to those in the greatest need, without any calculation of political advantage. "We must respect the will of the donors, and serve in the midst of all the possibilities, without playing political or partisan favorites," he said.

      The cardinal added that Catholic officials should make no distinctions based on the religious affiliations of hurricane victims. And there will be no distinctions along partisan political lines, because "none of the bishops participates in any party affairs." Instead, he promised, "we will serve everyone we can reach."

      Cardinal Obando has made personal visits to some of the areas most affected by the storm. To date, the Church officials coordinating the relief process have been able to open communications with all but one town, San Francisco del Carnicero, which is still completely isolated.