The diplomatic relationship between the Vatican and the Republic of Paraguay is very special.
The South American nation is unique in the world, being led by a (former) Catholic bishop: Fernando Lugo.
The president was elected by the people in 2008, and not without some deep ecclesiastical tensions.
But that institutional friction seems to be a thing of the past, because to Rome, one thing is clear: Lugo will always be “a son of the Church.”
Last 19 December, Pope Benedict XVI received the credentials of Esteban Kriskovich, the first ambassador to the Holy See from the government of Paraguay’s cleric-president.
The process that brought the faithful layman - an attorney at the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Court and teacher at the Catholic University of Asunción - to represent his nation in the capital of Catholicism lasted more than thirty months.
Political issues have long-delayed Kriskovich’s legally-required ratification as ambassador by the Paraguayan Senate.
All diplomatic appointments must pass the scrutiny of the Parliament, running the risk of becoming a political “bargaining chip.”
This is exactly what happened in this case, though the difficulties arose more from an opposition to the president than a serious intent to obstruct diplomatic relations with the Apostolic See.
The delay led to speculation, and many advised Fernando Lugo to change his candidate for ambassador in order to obtain the Senate’s approval.
But the president did not listen to them. He maintained his position until the appointment of the ambassador was ratified, because Kriskovich’s profile was looked upon favorably in the Vatican palazzos and by the Church in general.
Lugo’s tenacity was much appreciated in the Vatican, especially after the institutional tensions that marked the nomination and presidential election of the former bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro, one of the poorest in the South American nation. The public “adventure” of the cleric never met with Rome’s approval; in fact, Lugo was suspended “a divinis” in 2007 for his act of rebellion against the canon law that prohibits political participation by consecrated priests.
Warnings and calls to order did not prevent the bishop from continuing his career to the point of attaining the presidency. It was only then that the Pope, took an unprecedented decision and accepted the cleric’s resignation.
In an interview with Vatican Insider, Ambassador Esteban Kriskovich revealed some of the details of his first meeting with Benedict XVI, confirmed that the period of bilateral tensions is over, and left the door open for a meeting between the Bishop of Rome and President Lugo.
How did your meeting with Benedict XVI go?
It was a very cordial meeting, which took place during the presentation of credentials on 19 December. It lasted about twenty minutes. I felt as though I was with someone very familiar to me, in communion and in perfect harmony. The Holy Father possesses the greatness of the humble and the meek - his witness provokes and surprises the world of today. In a world where violence and pride sometimes rule, here is a Pope of humility and peace.
Did Holy Father ask about President Fernando Lugo?
He asked about him, briefly, with great cordiality and warmth. I took the opportunity to tell him that, when I delivered the two credential letters to the Secretary of State, I also delivered a formal note from the President of the Republic of Paraguay, which thanked him for the Mass for the Bicentennial of the Independence of the Latin American countries on 12 December, and invited him to visit our country soon: an event that would be a huge blessing for our people.
President Lugo used to be a Catholic bishop - his candidacy caused political tensions with the Church as well as with the Holy See. Is there still some friction?
I consider that stage to be a thing of the past - there is no current situation of crisis or conflict. However, as in all human and institutional relationships, constant attention is needed for the dynamic and effective development of the relationship. I hope, through my duties as Ambassador to the Holy See, to contribute to the perfection of this bond.
You presented your credentials to the Pope on 19 December last year, shortly after the Vatican’s decision to change the practice of exchanging speeches with new ambassadors. But you did deliver a message to the Pope - what did it say?
Thanks to his kind and gracious solicitude - because this gesture was changed in the protocol - I was able to deliver the message, for which the Pope thanked me cordially, expressing gratitude for the fact that the message will allow him to deepen the dialogue that historically existed between the Holy See and Paraguay. The message pointed out that Paraguay is a country with Christian roots, roots that have always been nourished by the religious feeling of the population and the pursuit of the “Land-Without-Evil” by the Guaraní (natives of the region - Ed.) - a people sprung from the encounter with the Christian event of the first evangelization, nearly 500 years ago. They are a people who now live along with the Church and the new evangelization, working for a more humane and Christian Paraguay.
Paraguay is a country that has suffered much throughout its history, but we loved God, in the heart of South America, in the heart of God and of Mary. The message emphasized the Paraguayan people’s appreciation for the work of His Holiness, for being the Pope of truth in a world full of lies. It also requested a special blessing for the people. Finally, it mentioned the great men and women in the history of Paraguay who have been luminous witnesses of the good, some of whom are now saints and others who await beatification.
One of the big questions in the relationship between Paraguay and the Holy See is if President Lugo will be received by the Pope. Is this a possibility?