Nicaragua: Pope, world leaders concerned at growing crisis

Photo by Silvia Munoz on Unsplash

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis and many faith and world leaders are protesting at the growing crisis in Nicaragua, where the Church, the media, and NGOs have been attacked by Daniel Ortega's Sandinista government.

Catholic radio stations have been closed. NGOs have been prevented from working. The Congregation of the Sisters of Mother Teresa have been expelled. Clergy have been arrested. On Friday night, the bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, after being confined to his house since the beginning of August, was arrested, then placed under house arrest together with several priests and lay people in the diocesan curia.

Police claim the Bishop had tried to organise violent groups and incited acts of hatred to destabilise the government. Bishop Álvarez tried to pray in the street, carrying the Eucharist in a monstrance, but was stopped by police officers.

Speaking during the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis said: "I am following closely, with concern and sorrow, the situation in Nicaragua, which involves both people and institutions... I would like to express my conviction and my hope that, through open and sincere dialogue, the basis for a respectful and peaceful coexistence can still be found."

The Pope then invoked the intercession of Mary Immaculate, the "Purísima" so dear to the people of Nicaragua: "Let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Most Pure, to inspire such a concrete will in the hearts of all."

Bishop Rolando Álvarez tweeted: "We want to do God's will, we are in his hands." It has been reported that the 55-year-old prelate has some serious health problems. He has now been able to see his family and meet the vice-president of the bishops' conference, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes.

The United Nations has raised concerns of a serious "obstruction of democratic and civil life" in Nicaragua. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed his grave concern over what he termed the "serious obstruction of democratic and civil life" in Nicaragua. A UN spokesman said General Guterres calls once again on the government of Daniel Ortega to ensure the protection of the human rights of all citizens, in particular the universal rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, thought, conscience and religion, while calling for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have warned of "persecution" and "criminalization." They call on the Ortega government to protect universal human rights and to return freedom to those arbitrarily detained.

Bishops' conferences throughout the world have sent messages of solidarity and called for prayers for Nicaragua.

Bishop Álvarez has expressed confidence in the prayers of all, in the face of this difficult situation. He said: "Aware that prayer is the Christian's strength.. the invitation is to continue to implore Christ to intercede and watch over this small flock of His."