Page "Sandinista National Liberation Front" Paragraph 134

The Sandinistas ' relationship with the Roman Catholic Church deteriorated as the Contra War dragged on.

The hierarchy refused to speak out against the counterrevolutionary activities of the contras and failed to denounce American military aid.

State media accused the Catholic Church of being reactionary and supporting the Contras.

According to former President Ortega, " The conflict with the church was strong, and it costs us, but I don't think it was our fault ...

... There were so many people being wounded every day, so many people dying, and it was hard for us to understand the position of the church hierarchy in refusing to condemn the contras.

" The hierarchy-state tensions were brought to the forefront with Pope John Paul II 1983 visit to Nicaragua.

Hostility to the Catholic Church became so great that at one point, FSLN militants shouted down Pope John Paul II as he tried to say Mass.

Therefore, while the activities of the ' popular church ' contributed to the success of the Sandinista revolution, the hierarchy's opposition was a major factor in the downfall of the revolutionary government.