Baptist leader honored for his work toward bringing about peace

Trinidad Vásquez, MANAGUA, Nicaragua, October 19, 2006

In 1972, in the aftermath of the great earthquake, Parajón founded the Evangelical Committee Pro Taxi Heathrow Airport Relief of the Affected (CEPAD). During the war between the Contras and the Sandinista army, Parajón set up peace commissions in Nueva Guinea, 300 kilometers to the southeast of the capital city of Managua, which worked for the disarming of the anti Sandinista indigenous peoples in Río Coco, in the North Atlantic region. 

In the 1980’s, together with Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, Parajón contributed to the peacemaking process through the Reconciliation Commission, which brought about the peace agreements between the resistance forces and the Sandinista army.

Because of this work, the Central American Parliament unanimously decided to award Parajón the distinction which was presented to him on Tuesday, October 17, in a formal  ceremony in the First Baptist Church of Managua, where he was ordained and is presently the pastor.

Julio Palacios, President of PARLACEN, said that the directors and assembly of the parliament were pleased upon hearing of the proposal to honor such a distinguished person, who – along with the Roman Catholic Church – had played a determining role in the pacifying of his country, and who today continues to play an important part in social service and political activities. “I am proud to present this recognition to a great missionary and peacemaker,” Palacios indicated.  

Dr. Parajón, who is now 70 years old, represents a large Evangelical sector in Nicaragua. In his message in which he quoted passages from the prophets Amos and Micah, and in remembrance of the international Day for the Eradication of Poverty called for by the United Nations, he said that “the work by PARLACEN for unity, justice and peace should be visible and permanent so as to be able to end poverty.”

The honored leader thanked God, saying that in his work he never thought that he would receive such recognition and that the distinction was shared with those who work for the bringing about of peace, and all those persons who risked their lives in the struggle for reconciliation and peacemaking in Jinotega and Río Coco between 1987 and 1990. Parajón also thanked CEPAD, the World Council of Churches, Church World Services, the churches of the United Status, Europe and the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI), for their help.  

The Baptist leader assured those present that poverty is fought with justice and honesty, and with an equitable distribution of the world’s riches, because there is sufficient food available. He added that being reconciled with God allows for forgiveness of one’s brothers and sisters, so that all may work together and that way achieve the development of the country. 

During the ceremony, “Commander” Gallo was introduced. Gallo, one of the many former Contras who fought against the Sandinista army, took part in the disarmament agreements in the Nueva Guinea region, in 1987 

Commissioner Alonso Sevilla, Director of Police Public Relations, told Radio CEPAD, that “Parajón deserves this recognition of his work for the bringing about of peace, and the Evangelicals ought to feel proud.”