Since the beginning of August, an intense offensive has been carried out against the priests of the diocese of Matagalpa. The total number of persecutions of religious figures in Nicaragua reaches alarming proportions: more than 140 priests, an Apostolic Nuncio, three bishops, and all the priests of religious orders have been expelled from the country or are in prison.
Editorial (08/07/2024 12:20, Gaudium Press) The current wave of persecution against the Church in Nicaragua, triggered by Ortega’s dictatorship, can be seen as a sinister commemoration of August 4, 2022, when the police imprisoned Bishop Rolando Álvarez in the diocesan curia of Matagalpa, later taking him to Managua and placing him in prison.
Human Rights observers also note that Ortega’s dictatorship has exploited the international scene dominated largely by events in Venezuela, to unleash its anti-Catholic fury against a diocese like Matagalpa. The Nicaraguan diocese seems to be a thorn on the side of the dictatorship, ever preserving memories of a bishop whom Ortega had to release against his will, turning him into a martyr.
The list of religious figures imprisoned in recent days are:
Msgr. Ulises René Vega
Msgr. Edgar Sacasa
Fr. Jairo Pravia
Fr. Víctor Godoy
Fr. Marlon Velásquez
Deacon Ervin Aguirre
Brother Silvio José Romero, of the diocese of Chontales
Brother Ramón Morras, of Ciudad Darío
Fr. Antonio López, parish priest of Our Lord of Veracruz in Ciudad Darío.
Fr. Raúl Francisco Villegas, of Las Calabazas
Fr. Salvador, of Las Calabazas
To the above list must be added the detention, on August 5, of Fr. Jarvin Torres, rector of the seminary of Matagalpa.
The total number of persecutions of religious figures in Nicaragua reaches alarming proportions: more than 140 priests, an Apostolic Nuncio, three bishops, and all the priests of religious orders have been expelled from the country or are in prison.
Despite requests for statements, the Nicaraguan government has opted not to comment on the recent events in the dioceses of Estelí and Matagalpa.
Meanwhile, International observers wonder at the absence of a clear condemnation by the Vatican regarding these events, a troubling experience for Catholics worldwide, who are still awaiting a pronouncement.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj with information from La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana
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