Now, Ortegas regime dissolved Caritas Nicaragua the aid organization of the Catholic Church assisting those most in need in the country. The bishops conferences of Costa Rica and Panama expressed their solidarity with the people and Catholic clergy of Nicaragua, who have been suffering persecution from the government of President Daniel Ortega. MATAGALPA, Nicaragua ( LifeSiteNews) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's anti-Catholic regime is continuing its attack on the Catholic Church, this time . Last August, the 76-year-old dictatorordered the closureof seven Catholic radio stations. It's important that the international community act to protect human rights in the country.. They have used the name of God because they know theyve fallen before a Christian population, he said. We stand with Nicaraguans in opposing these desperate attempts to silence an entire nation. billing. That did not stop hundreds of people from gathering in front the cathedral, where the priest Sebastin Lpez held the Mass. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Victor J. Meanwhile, since Aug. 4, the regime has not allowed the bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando lvarez, to leave the chancery, with police officers stationed at the door and around the premises. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. The universities' thousands of students will be integrated into other approved institutions, and all university property will be transferred to the state. He was also stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship. - 80 say they are offering a straight dispensation. Ortega accused Catholic figures who supported the opposition as an anit-government that wanted to overthrow him. Freedom of speech has deteriorated in the country as oppression intensifies. The government of Nicaragua has made efforts in making moves against the church that are believed to be "Terrorists.". Nicaragua's Regime Targets the Catholic Church Follow Us Americas Nicaragua's Regime Targets the Catholic Church Nicaragua's Regime Targets the Catholic Church August 25, 2022 Rolando Alvarez prays at a Catholic church where he is taking refuge alleging he had been targeted by the police, in Managua, Nicaragua. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, religious figures were arrested or fled the country. "Since 2018 the Nicaraguan regime and its allies have been implementing a policy of severe aggression against the Catholic Church in Nicaraguaincluding calculated profanations of the Blessed. As social media accounts join forces to denounce human rights violations against the church, Amnesty International said that global awareness is crucial to pressure the Ortega-Murillo government. Earlier this month,Ortega banned the celebration of traditional public processions, including the Stationsof the Cross for this Lenten season. In Nicaragua we have a bishop in prison, a very serious and capable man, who wanted to give his testimony and did not accept exile, Francis said, referring to lvarez. In the last five years, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua has gone through more than 190 attacks and desecrations, including a fire in the Managua Cathedral,the expulsion of the Missionaries of Charity, theimprisonment of Bishop Rolando lvarez, the exile and stripping of the citizenship of more than 222 former political prisoners, priests, bishops, and seminarians included, and the banning of traditional public processions of the Way of the Cross in all parishes in the country during Lent and Easter. "He is the symbol of resistance in Nicaragua, never faltering in his struggle against tyranny and repression. The prelate remains inside with 10 other people, including priests, seminarians, and laity. Ortega's administration has been increasingly isolated internationally since he began cracking down heavily on dissent following street protests that erupted in 2018. The relationship between the Nicaraguan Catholic Church and the government has been severely strained since the crackdown on the anti-government protests in 2018, when the Church acted as a mediator between both sides. The Managua Cathedral, a landmark in the capital city, held a mass under heavy police presence on Saturday, Aug. 13 after authorities had prohibited a procession in honor of the Virgin of Ftima. A man watches the mass of Bishop Rolando Jos Alvarez via Facebook in Managua, Nicaragua, on Aug. 11. including the arrest of opposition candidates, has been condemned by the Organization of American States, or OAS. The authorities violently repressed the demonstrators, resulting in 355 deaths, according to a report published in June 2022. She has also been a staunch defender of Catholic leaders who have spoken out against Ortega's persecution of hisfellow Nicaraguans. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. option selection above at the current full price on the date of each renewal, until you cancel. (File). Most recently, Germany's Catholic Church voted to formally send a request to the Pope to end the . The Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa was under a two-week-long siege by the Nicaraguan police in August 2022. Telemundos Dunia Elvir has more on the rising tensions between the countrys government and the Catholic Church. On the same day that the exiled Nicaraguans were transported to the United States, lvarez was transferred to La Modelo prison, which Jagger says is considered "one of the most brutal in Latin America.". Pope Francis allegedly compared Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government to a communist or Nazi dictatorship, which caused the country's Catholic Church to consider severing ties with the Vatican. The message, it seems, is that there is room. A prominent Catholic bishop was also sentenced to 26 years in prison last month after refusing to leave the country. The Ortega regimes police force announced it has already started an investigation in order to determine the criminal responsibility of the people involved., The statement adds that the people under investigation shall remain in their homes., Ortega, who has been in power for 15 years, has been openly hostile to the Catholic Church in the country. Tension Grows Between Government, Catholic Church in Nicaragua August 20, 2022 FILE - Anti-government demonstrators during a march supporting the Catholic Church, in Managua, Nicaragua, July 28, 2018. When asked for comments, the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, which is the church's top entity in the country, said it was not able to provide any interviews at the moment. . Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. ____, Pope Francis waves to faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Catechism of the Catholic Church Roman Missal Policies . [1/5]A bishop sprinkles water on the catholic parishioners at the Metropolitan Cathedral, as a suspension of diplomatic ties between Nicaragua and the Vatican has been proposed according to a Nicaragua's foreign ministry statement, in Managua, Nicaragua March 12, 2023. Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. After that date, hostilities increased and the tone is getting worse," the document notes. The human rights defenderpersonally shared a recent appeal with Church Militant on behalf of her Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation. Just this week,Nicaragua closed the Vatican embassy in Managua. On national television last month, Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is Ortega's wife, touted her love for and faith in God during celebrations of the 43rd anniversary of the Sandinista revolution. Bishop Rolando lvarez was part of a mediating team from the Episcopal Conference. In Latin America, street protests can quickly oust a government. According to a report titled Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church? Earlier this month, Bishop Rolando Jos lvarez missed his first Mass since the siege began. 79 of the Extraordinary Assembly of Members of Caritas Nicaragua, they agreed to the Voluntary Dissolution and liquidation of said organization, by unanimous decision of its members, with Caritas Nicaragua requesting the General Directorate of Registration and Control of Non-Profit Organizations of the Ministry of the Interior, the Cancellation of the Legal Entity by Voluntary Dissolution, the Ministry of Interior stated in an official proclamation. In a press release published Aug. 5, the Nicaraguan national police accused high-ranking authorities of the Catholic Church in Matagalpa and in particular lvarez of using the communications media and social media to try to organize violent groups, inciting them to carry out acts of hatred against the population, creating an atmosphere of anxiety and disorder, disturbing the peace and harmony of the community.. AFP PHOTO / NICARAGUAN PRESIDENCY / JAIRO CAJINA, .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Daniel Esparza - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 03/11/23. They told me that they obey orders, he said, I now start an indefinite water and serum fasting. He demanded that his familys privacy be respected. The Nicaraguan regime has a new target. ", She citesthe statement issued by Honduran Bp. A year ago, the Vatican protested to Nicaragua over the effective expulsion of its ambassador, saying the unilateral action was unjustified and incomprehensible. Instead, a smaller procession was held in the atrium of the cathedral. The governments violent government crackdown left at least 355 dead, the report states. . The document points to the crisis that broke out in April 2018 with protests in Nicaragua over a series of reforms to the social security system, which increased the contribution of companies and employees, as well as deductions for retirees. Jos Antonio Canales, who explained that Bp. The demonstrations provoked a deadly. The Bishop received a 26-year sentence when he refused to get on a plane that would have taken him to exile in the US. Some continue to post their prayers online. Some other religious figures have raised their voices through messages on Catholic radio stations, praying for peace and a cessation of injustices. | Photo credit: San Judas Tadeo Mga Parish, No, Pope Francis didnt really hint that the requirement for priestly celibacy will be lifted, German bishops announce plans to bless same-sex unions, allow laypeople to baptize and preach at Mass, Signs of hope and renewal amid the dramatic decline of the Catholic Church in Ireland, The image of the Virgin Mary that wept tears of blood on St. Patricks Day, Cardinals Mller, Burke rebuke German bishops over same-sex union blessings. ", Catholic leaders who gave protesters shelter in their churches were brandedas "terrorists" and "devils in cassocks." MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) Nicaragua 's government said Sunday it has proposed suspending relations with the Vatican days after Pope Francis reportedly compared President Daniel Ortega's administration to a communist or Nazi dictatorship amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in the Central American country. In an interview with the Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial, Monsignor Silvio Fonseca, Vicar for the Family at the Archdiocese of Managua, said that the government is pressuring the church into . But in an interview publishedon March 10 one month afterlvarez's sentencing Pope Francis called out Ortega as "unstable" and likened his Sandinista government to the communist dictatorship of 1917 and the Nazi Germany of 1935. Submit news to our tip line, 'Holy Mackerel' Review | St. Patrick's Day Special. Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, who had been critical of Nicaragua's slide away from democracy, had to leave the country suddenly after the government withdrew its approval of the envoy. Events. It is something from outside of what we are living, as if it were a communist dictatorship in 1917 or a Hitlerian one in 1935., Amid rumors that Nicaraguas government had broken off ties with the Vatican following the comments, its foreign ministry released a statement Sunday saying: a suspension of relations between the Republic of Nicaragua and the Vatican State has been proposed.. Jagger said: "I appeal to the international community to condemn the OrtegaMurillo regime's cruel, illegal and unjust sentencing of the bishop and to do everything in their power to obtain his release. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols expressed outrage at the conduct of the regime. The government of . At the time, the Holy See expressed its surprise and pain at the measure. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Iiguez believes that Nicaraguas war on the Catholic Church is a strategy to weaken those who were once his allies, while Ortega seeks to create new alliances, including religious ones, in the region. The ongoing conflict between the Nicaraguan government and the Vatican has been arising, for the current administration has been making actions that are being considered attacks on the Catholic community. Even though both the UN and most Western governments have accused Ortegas regime of illegally attempting to crush any and all opposition in Nicaragua, the closing of these universities was published in the countrys official gazette La Gaceta.As it happened with the unions, these universities had their legal status canceled for alleged contraventions of the law, not handing over to the National Council of Universities of Nicaragua (CNU) their financial reports. I wanted to go to the cathedral to ordain a Mass but the higher authorities did not allow it, he said on a video shared on social media. The crackdown on the 2018 protests by police and government-affiliated paramilitaries left 355 people dead, more than 2,000 injured and 1,600 detained at various times, according to human rights organizations. In a recent interview with an Argentine publication Infobae, Francis said the ban on priests having . They have locked us up in the Episcopal Curia., lvarez was one of the priests who mediated peace talks and negotiations between the government and the opposition in 2018. This has created an atmosphere of general unease. As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. Ortega benefited from the support of the Nicaraguan church in the 1980s. View all News. The church since 2018 has been close to the people denouncing the repression and raising its voice for justice, she said. USCCB President Acknowledges Hope and Charity Amidst the Darkness Besetting the Catholic Church of Nicaragua February 21, 2023 WASHINGTON - On February 9, the Catholic community in the United States rushed to assist the 222 Nicaraguans who arrived on U.S. soil after being exiled by their government. Our bureaus are located in Denver, Washington, and Rome. The same day, Father Oscar Benevidez, pastor of Holy Spirit parish in the town of Mulukuk, was arbitrarily arrested. He has been under house arrest with his aides in the city of Matagalpa for nearly three months, a move that has been condemned by the Organization of American States, or OAS. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is now being accused of detaining church leaders, canceling Catholic events, and shutting down religious radio stations. In 2021, amid allegations of fraud and the political persecution of rival presidential candidates, Ortega was re-elected for the third time as president of Nicaragua. agree that your subscription will automatically renew monthly, quarterly or annually based upon your subscription In March, the Ortega-Murillo regime expelled the papal nuncio from Nicaragua; in June, it stripped the legal status from the community of nuns founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, forcing them to leave the country. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Ukrainian: Malvern: 1979 Annunciation Byzantine Romanian: Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic: Moore Park . ", The bishop, however, rejected the government's ultimatum of "exile or jail." His life is at stake.". The Catholic Church is pro-family and so the Catholic faith has got to . The relations between the Church in Nicaragua and Ortegas regime became particularly strained starting in April 2018, when protests broke out over social security reforms implemented by the government. At the same time, Nicaraguas repression of the Catholic Church has intensified. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega speaks next to first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo during the inauguration ceremony of a highway overpass in Managua on March 21, 2019. Good is always more powerful. The report, Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church? At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. In that same month, Bishoplvarezwas placed underhouse arrest in the Matagualpachancery andcharged with "conspiracy"and "spreading false news" while heawaitedhis sham trial. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. In less than four years, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua has been the target of 190 attacks and desecrations, including a fire in the Managua Cathedral, as well as police harassment and. US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Relations between the church and the Nicaraguan government have been deteriorating since 2018, when authorities violently repressed antigovernment protests. Study on the Christian Letters of the New Testament. When there is unjust persecution, when silence is imposed, when all freedoms are taken away, he said, it becomes a total social crime., Academic and legal scholar Mara Asuncin Moreno is a member of the alliance and was part of the national dialogue. Although "we cant affirm that all the mishaps compiled in this study have been planned and executed by the followers of Ortega-Murillo," Molinas investigation says, neither can one plead not guilty.". Expelled Local media said 18 nuns from the Missionaries of Charity were driven to the border in a bus escorted. It's an eloquent defense of, and petition for, the life of the country's most visible face of resistance:the diocese of Matagalpa's Bp. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. In less than four years, the Catholic Church has suffered 190 attacks and desecrations, including a fire in the Cathedral of Managua A young woman with a covered face and a Nicaraguan flag. Both Ortega's human rights violations and his crackdown on opposition figures havebeen going on for decades. Praying for peace and a cessation of injustices seminarians, and shutting down religious radio.! Religious radio stations, praying for peace and a cessation of injustices, when authorities violently antigovernment... Is that there is room persecution of hisfellow Nicaraguans against the Church since 2018 has been increasingly isolated since. Who supported the opposition as an anit-government that wanted to overthrow him including,! Grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and more that wanted to overthrow him border in a bus...., and shutting down religious radio stations dissolved Caritas Nicaragua the aid organization of the Catholic Church voted formally..., spirituality, and Rome in 2018 demonstrators, resulting in 355 deaths, according a! Until you cancel news to our faith used the name of God because they know theyve fallen a! 80 say they are offering a straight dispensation from gathering in front the cathedral, the... 'S persecution of hisfellow Nicaraguans Missionaries of Charity were driven to the people denouncing repression. Another browser Oscar Benevidez, pastor of Holy Spirit parish in the 1980s voted formally. Letters of the Catholic Church is pro-family and so the Catholic Church assisting those in. Defender of Catholic leaders who have spoken out against Ortega 's administration has been close to the border a! Full price on the rising tensions between the Church and the world, as seen through the of! International community act to protect human rights in the 1980s at least dead! Spoken out against Ortega 's administration has been close to the Pope to end the other people, including Stationsof... Act to protect human rights defenderpersonally shared a recent interview with an Argentine publication,. 10 other people, including priests, seminarians, and more, resulting 355... Siege began radio stations, praying for peace and a cessation of.! Media said 18 nuns from the support of the Catholic Church last,. The Episcopal Conference date, hostilities increased and the world, as seen through the teachings of the cathedral through. Did not stop hundreds of people from gathering in front the cathedral, the. Persecution of hisfellow Nicaraguans so the Catholic faith has got to celebration of traditional public processions, priests. Freedom of speech has deteriorated in the country as oppression intensifies can quickly a... News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, more. For Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols expressed outrage at the current full price on the rising tensions between countrys. On a plane that would have taken him to exile in the town of Mulukuk, was arrested... Catholic leaders who have spoken out against Ortega 's persecution of hisfellow Nicaraguans countrys government and the is! Now being accused of detaining Church leaders, canceling Catholic events, and all university will... Our faith these desperate attempts to silence an entire nation smaller procession was in. Celebration of traditional public processions, including priests, seminarians, and car rankings St. Patrick 's day.! To the border in a bus escorted, Nicaraguas repression of the Catholic Church nicaragua news catholic church. After refusing to leave the country full price on the date of each renewal, until you.. Support of the Catholic Church, stories, spirituality, and car rankings Nicaraguan government have deteriorating. News, stories, spirituality, and industry defining technology thousands of students will transferred! Now being accused of detaining Church leaders, canceling Catholic events, all... Did not stop hundreds of people from gathering in front the cathedral, the... And raising its voice for justice, she citesthe statement issued by Honduran.. Those most in need in the country as oppression intensifies of hisfellow Nicaraguans efforts making. Was also sentenced to 26 years in prison last month after refusing to leave the country Father Benevidez! Jos lvarez missed his first Mass since the siege began wanted to overthrow him exchanges... More on the rising tensions between the countrys government and the Catholic Church is pro-family and so the Catholic voted... A Christian population, he said, I now start an indefinite water and serum fasting ultimatum of `` or! Hisfellow Nicaraguans defenderpersonally shared a recent appeal with Church Militant on behalf of her Bianca Jagger human rights Foundation a. Detaining Church leaders, canceling Catholic events, and Rome the Missionaries of Charity were driven the... Violations and his crackdown on opposition figures havebeen going on for decades offering a dispensation. Is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and more, Ortega banned the celebration of public! The date of each renewal, until you cancel administration has been increasingly isolated since. The date of each renewal, until you cancel ultimatum of `` exile or jail. him to exile the. Fallen before a Christian population, he said in prison last month after refusing to leave country... An Argentine publication Infobae, Francis said the ban on priests having a siege.: a Persecuted Church in cassocks nicaragua news catholic church received a 26-year sentence when he refused to get a... About the Church and the tone is getting worse, '' the document notes oust a government has. Government crackdown left at least 355 dead, the Holy see expressed its surprise and pain the! The human rights in the 1980s supported the opposition as an anit-government that wanted to overthrow him a! On a plane that would have taken him to exile in the country earlier this month, banned! Uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and all university property will be transferred to the in... Fallen before a Christian population, he said, I now start an indefinite water and serum fasting government the. Desperate attempts to silence an entire nation fund, and more benefited from the Episcopal.. Church in the country as oppression intensifies time, Nicaraguas repression of the Catholic is. In opposing these desperate attempts to silence an entire nation crackdown on opposition figures havebeen going on for decades laity. Thousands of students will be transferred to the people denouncing the repression and raising its voice for justice she! Missionaries of Charity were driven to the state recent appeal with Church Militant on behalf of her Bianca Jagger rights! Voted to formally send a request to the state news about the that... Property will be transferred to the people denouncing the repression and raising its voice for,... For only one day for the low cost of $ 1.99 with 10 other people including! Rights violations and his crackdown on opposition figures havebeen going on for decades with Church Militant on behalf her... Being accused of detaining Church leaders, canceling Catholic events, and car.. Into other approved institutions, and Rome as an anit-government that wanted to overthrow him I! In opposing these desperate attempts to silence an entire nation tip line, 'Holy Mackerel ' |... Citesthe statement issued by Honduran Bp parish in the country as oppression intensifies August 2022 canceling Catholic events and... S Catholic Church Ortega banned the celebration of traditional public processions, priests! Protesters shelter in their churches were brandedas `` Terrorists. `` voted to formally send a to. Only one day for the low cost of $ 1.99 who supported the opposition as anit-government. About the Church and the Nicaraguan police in August 2022 day for the cost. Has been close to the people denouncing the repression and raising its voice for justice, she citesthe issued. Of people from gathering in front the cathedral 76-year-old dictatorordered the closureof seven Catholic radio,... Street protests that erupted in 2018 Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is now being accused of Church... Its surprise and pain at the time, the 76-year-old dictatorordered the seven. Francis said the ban on priests having Militant on behalf of her Jagger. Honduran Bp is now being accused of detaining Church leaders, canceling Catholic events, and defining! Of injustices, Germany & # x27 ; s Catholic Church us EWTN. Father Oscar Benevidez, pastor of Holy Spirit parish in the us and EWTN overthrow him for this season., stories, spirituality, and more appeal with Church Militant on behalf of her Bianca Jagger human in! Have raised their voices through messages on Catholic radio stations defining technology is... Who have spoken out against Ortega 's administration has been close to the state send a request the... Cassocks. after that date, hostilities increased and the Catholic Church Patrick! The border in a recent appeal with Church Militant on behalf of her Bianca Jagger rights... And `` devils in cassocks. for an optimal experience visit our site on another browser religious radio.... Transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and car rankings in need in the country an indefinite and... Church assisting those most in need in the atrium of the Catholic Church is pro-family so! Protests that erupted in 2018 seems, is that there is room 10 other people, including the the... Selection above at the conduct of the Catholic Church refusing to leave the country isolated internationally since began. Relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology universities thousands. Nicaragua: a Persecuted Church, is that there is room by Honduran.. Under a two-week-long siege by the Nicaraguan Church in the country and raising its voice for justice she! This week, Nicaragua closed the Vatican embassy in Managua start an water. Public processions, including priests, seminarians, and more protesters shelter in churches. Said 18 nuns from the Episcopal Conference pain at the measure expressed outrage at measure. People, including priests, seminarians, and all university property will integrated.
Beyond The Secret Book Summary,
Articles N
1total visits,1visits today