The ways of the Lord

Latin America. Geographically far away, culturally quite near to us. Latin America is the other "Europe"; there Anglo-Saxon Protestantism did not triumph over Latin Catholicism. Ever since Columbus' arrival in 1492, the European descendants have subjugated the indigenous people. This hegemony is embedded in feudal practices. The region is plagued by dire poverty, unfair land distribution, racial conflicts and authoritarianism. Now, the indigenous people are fed up with promises, they want real change.

Many Latin American economists blame their close links with their previous colonisers for this state of affairs. For them the hunger of their nations is directly linked to the fat of their ex-masters.

The fundamental challenge is to break away from these dependency-relationships. In the 1960s, the blending of neo-Marxism and Catholicism led to liberation theology.

Many priests believed that religion had to be pro-poor; that their duty was to liberate the oppressed classes. The Vatican, and Washington, were not happy with such thinking. It smacked of communism. Liberation theology was stifled; but for the poor of Latin America little changed. Fernando Lugo, the new President of Paraguay, too would like to change the fate of the poor. Three years ago he was a bishop. Ordained priest in 1977, Mr Lugo served as a missionary in Ecuador.

The harsh reality of his parishioners made him embrace liberation theology. Mr Lugo was then sent to Rome, before returning to Paraguay. In 1994, despite his rebellious character, he was ordained bishop of San Pedro. After 11 years as spiritual leader of this poverty stricken diocese, Lugo felt that he was getting nowhere, that only political power could change things. The Catholic Church forbids its clergy from holding political office. So in 2005, Lugo asked to be relieved from his priestly duties. The Holy See objected and suspended, without dismissing, him. Mr Lugo went ahead and stood for President.

Nick-named the "Bishop of the Poor" and "The Red Bishop", Mr Lugo formed a coalition, the Patriotic Alliance for Change, which included over 12 political parties, trade unions and social movements. He faced a formidable challenge. The Colorado Party had been in government for over 60 years, mostly under the rule of Alfredo Stroessner, a notorious dictator, whose corrupt and authoritarian legacy still lingers on. In a transparent attempt to destabilise Lugo's fragile coalition, the court invalidated the conviction of Lino Oviedo, a former general charged after an alleged coup plot in 1996. Gen. Oviedo's candidature was meant to launch a spoiler campaign aimed at splitting the anti-Colorado vote.

Although failing to get an absolute majority, Mr Lugo won the election by obtaining 42 per cent of the vote. It was the first time since 1811 that a ruling party in Paraguay peacefully surrendered power to an elected opponent. Following victory, the Pope granted Mr Lugo layman status and sent him a commemorative pen and his blessing. Lugo was sworn into office last August, dressed in a mandarin-collared shirt and wearing sandals. He pledged not to take the Presidential salary of about $ 48,000 year.

The challenges for Mr Lugo in governing this isolated, largely forgotten, land-locked country are many.

More than half of its six million population live in absolute poverty. In the region, Paraguay is only second to Guatemala in terms of unequal distribution of wealth. Paraguay is the fourth largest soybean exporter in the world but is renowned as a "pirate" state due to its large-scale production of marijuana and illegal products and its role as a distributor of weapons.

Having been so long in power, the Colorados still control most institutions of government and the economy and will, undoubtedly, do their best to obstruct land and other necessary reforms. Landless peasants are already threatening to seize land owned by rich farmers. If these reforms are not handled with care Paraguay could become the Zimbabwe of Latin America.

The Red Bishop is no Chavez (Venezuela) or Morales (Bolivia). Lugo wants to stick to his own way of doing things; more in the style of Lula of Brazil.

In the meantime, the US continues to watch with anxiety as its southern neighbours continue to lean to the left. The US realises that it has been losing ground in the region. Its promise of more free trade, increased cooperation in the name of wars on terrorism and drugs do not seem to be working. Mr Lugo would like to secure tangible support from the US, especially in the form of direct investment.

Fernando Lugo says that, more than ever, he belongs to the Catholic Church. His path is still inspired by liberation theology. Will the Presidency enable him to bring social justice and economic growth to his people? "Without doubt, it is possible to resurrect a country like Paraguay. We are people of hope, of faith, and I won't be the one killing that hope of the people" (The Guardian Weekly, August 14, 2008).

The world will be watching; the ways of the Lord are infinite.