Members of the European Parliament have Voted for a Resolution Condemning the Nicaraguan Government’s Religious and Political Persecution of its Opponents. The parliamentary Resolution also Calls for the Release of Bishop Álvarez.
Newsdesk (17/09/2022 7:30 PM, Gaudium Press) The religious persecution taking place in Nicaragua is drawing worldwide attention, especially after the imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Alvarez, Bishop of Matagalpa.
The European Parliament met last Thursday, September 15th, and voted on a resolution condemning the ongoing civil repression in the Central American country.
Parliamentary Resolution Condemns the Current Repressive Policy
The result of the vote was in favor of the resolution: 538 deputies voted in favor, 16 against, and 28 abstained.
The text of the resolution points out the persecution taking place under the current government of Daniel Ortega:
“Parliament strongly condemns the increasing repression against the Catholic Church, opposition figures, civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, farmers, students and indigenous people in Nicaragua.”
The Document Calls for the Release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez
Besides acknowledging that the persecuted people are mostly linked to the Catholic Church, the text mentions the arbitrary arrest of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, of Matagalpa, imprisoned since August 19.
The document calls for the “immediate and unconditional” release of the bishop and the cancellation of any legal proceedings against him.
The Members of the European Parliament recognize the important role of the Catholic Church in the country, as well as Bishop Álvarez’s role as a mediator of peace and dialogue, especially in 2018.
Condemnation of Ortega’s Other Dictatorial Measures
The arbitrary arrest of 206 political prisoners and the closure of institutions and organizations opposed to the government are also condemned by the parliamentary document.
The expulsion of the Apostolic Nuncio in the country, Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, also received a mention in the text of the parliamentary resolution.
The parliament wants the European Union and the UN Security Council to open a process to investigate crimes against humanity committed by Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega.
Francis’ Hope: Dialogue
Upon his return to Rome, Pope Francis also spoke about the situation in Nicaragua. The Pontiff stated that there is a dialogue with the government: “There is dialogue. This does not mean that one approves of everything the government does or disapproves of everything, no. There is dialogue and problems need to be solved,” stated Francis.
The Pope also showed hope for the return of Mother Teresa’s missionaries of charity, expelled from the country: “At least I hope that the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta will return. Because these women are good revolutionaries, but of the Gospel. They don’t make war against anybody. In fact, we all need these women. It is a gesture that cannot be understood,” said the Holy Father. (FM)
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Compiled by Florence MacDonald
