Sandinista National Liberation Front

:Sandinista! is also the name of a popular music album by The Clash.

Relationship with the Catholic Church

The Sandinistas' relationship with the Catholic Church deteriorated as the Contra War dragged on. 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 cost 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." 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." http://www.fiu.edu/~yaf/sand71899.html

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