Priests and Politicians

Can a priest serve both God and the Sandinistas? Yes, say the four Roman Catholic clergymen who have held top posts in the Nicaraguan government since the Sandinistas came to power in 1979. No, says Pope John Paul II, who has insisted that canon law forbids the priests "to assume public offices that involve ... the exercise of civil power."

The priests, including Foreign Minister Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann and Culture Minister Ernesto Cardenal Martinez (at whom the Pope shook his finger in reproach during his 1983 visit to Nicaragua), struck a compromise with their church superiors in 1981 by agreeing not to say Mass or perform religious functions while holding their government posts.

The Vatican, however, has decided to press the issue. At Rome's instruction, Nicaraguan Bishop Pablo Antonio Vega last week reported that he has asked three of the priests to decide be tween their jobs and the priesthood in accordance with canon law.

If the Vatican is not satisfied with the responses, which are due late next week, the priests could be suspended. The priests claim not to be eager for a showdown, but their position leaves little room for further compromise. Said D'Escoto of his dual role as priest and politician: "There is no conflict. I am serving my people."