Reverendo Jose Fernando Colomer

The Rev. Fernando Colomer, a leader of the Moravian Church in Nicaragua and advocate within the worldwide Moravian Unity, entered our Lord’s eternal presence Saturday, October 6, 2012 in Sarasota, FL, USA. His family and Nicaraguan church leaders request the prayers or the wider church.

Brother Colomer, 64 years old, was the third elected indigenous Superintendent – President of the Provincial Board – of the self-governing Nicaragua Moravian Church, serving from 1980-82 and again from 1998-2000. He was the first Superintendent from the Miskito people of the East Coast of Nicaragua. He also served the church as admired pastor, as teacher in the Moravian Bible Institute, and as national and international advocate for justice and peace for the people and churches of Nicaragua. Brother Colomer’s first term as Superintendent was at the height of the civil war between the revolutionary Sandinista government of Nicaragua and indigenous groups of the East Coast region of Nicaragua. The government forced many people from their villages and arrested pastors and other leaders. Brother Colomer was a leader of the Moravian Church advocacy on behalf of the East Coast People and for a peaceful alternative to civil war. The government arrested him in 1982; he was later released from prison in western Nicaragua and forbidden to return to the East Coast. He continued to serve the Nicaragua Moravian Church and also was part of the Nicaraguan ecumenical agency CIETS. He traveled widely in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Central America, visiting Moravian churches and many ecumenical partners.

After the war in Nicaragua, Brother Colomer joined his family in the United States. Despite his 30-year struggle with diabetes, he worked diligently to document the service of the Nicaragua Moravian Church and its pastors, particularly in the years of civil war. With camera, video recorder, and extensive writings and transcriptions, he prepared many booklets. This August, less than two months before his death, he disturbed the collection “You are My Witnesses,” detailing the ministry of bishops and superintendents of the Moravian Church in Nicaragua. His autobiography in this booklet is a basis for this short summary of his Christian service. His testimony is that since childhood he clung to “the things of the Lord.” He is remembered also for his musical leadership as tenor and keyboardist.

He is survived by Magdalena, his beloved wife of 37 years; children, Fernando Jr., Hedley, and Magda (Tangni); three grandchildren; extended family; former parishioners and many friends. Services and burial will be led by the Raya Ingnika Sarasota Moravian Fellowship, Bishop John Wilson and Miskito Moravian pastors and fellowship coordinators in Florida.

Prepared by Bishop John Wilson and the Rev. Ted Wilde.