The Bishops of Nicaragua appeal
to the international community
Bishops of Nicaragua on the National Dialogue Mediation and Witness Commission meeting on 23 July 2018. |
Nicaraguan Bishops write a letter to President Ortega and
appeal to the international community to pay attention to what is happening
there.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
In view of another demonstration on Saturday, the Bishops
sent a letter directly to President Ortega on Wednesday. Although the
exact contents are unknown, the Bishops have been outspoken in their desire
to mediate tension between anti-government groups and the government.
The Bishops in Nicaragua are making it clear in other ways
that they side with the people and ask the international community to pay
attention to what is happening there.
Only love conquers hate
Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Archbishop of Managua, celebrated
Mass for the Feast of St James the Apostle in reparation for the profanation
and desecration of the Church of St James the Apostle in Jinotepe which took
place on July 10. The Cardinal invited the faithful not to respond violently to
attacks. Rather, he explained, hate can only be conquered by love
Another statement, issued by Bishop Abelardo Mata of the
diocese of Estelí, encouraged continued peaceful demonstrations, and prayer in
response to the attacks. He also called for the end to the profanation of
Churches by pro-government paramilitary forces.
Open persecution of the Church
Vatican News’ Patricia Ynestroza interviewed Bishop Carlos
Avilés, Council for the Commission for National Dialogue in Nicaragua. He
confirms that “there is open persecution of the Church. He [President Ortega]
has said that the Bishops are coup leaders and that anyone who supports the
demonstrators are terrorists. So, we are all terrorists because we have opened
our doors to the people who are running and fleeing, and who are wounded”.
Bishop Avilés specifically stated several priests in Managua
have received death threats, and at least two churches have been vandalized.
Two churches were fired on yesterday in Jinotepe and Managua.
Bishop Avilés pointed out that although Ortega invokes the
Constitution to remain in office until 2021, he came to power
unconstitutionally, changed the Constitution by decree in order to run for
re-election beyond a second term, and manipulated the elections that followed.
The people are asking that he modify the law in order to step down from power
just as he did to remain in power – thus anticipating elections allowing him to
leave the country peacefully. “And for that there are 350 people who have
died”, the Bishop said.
Church on the side of the people
With the suspension of dialogue, the bishops still hope that
President Ortega will resume talks with them. Because the Church always opts
for dialogue rather than violence the bishops issued a message asking all those
in government and the police to let their consciences guide decisions and to
remember that the commandment against killing comes first. “The Church will
always be on the side of the people, supporting them, helping them…. We will
help every person who approaches our churches…and offer them any type of
assistance”, Bishop Avilés said.
The Church will not keep silent
In view of the demonstrations planned for Saturday, Bishop
Avilés said that the only way to avoid violence is if the government withdraws
its forces. The people have the civil right to peaceful demonstration. Calling
on the authorities not to repress or violate this basic right is something that
the Church can do on behalf of the demonstrators.
The Bishop continued saying that only the government and
those who are pro-government are allowed to speak. According to him, the
judicial and electoral systems are on his side, as well as the police. There is
no work, he continued, and health care and quality education which is not
indoctrination are lacking.
Appeal to the international community
Bishop Avilés then appealed to the international community
to pay attention to what is happening in Nicaragua in order to show solidarity.
He hopes that it is clear that there is not a war between two armed groups
going on. Instead, peaceful demonstrators are being violently repressed, and
the perpetrators of the violence are not being brought to justice. In short,
Bishop Avilés says,
We ask for solidarity on the part of the international
community in putting pressure on the Nicaraguan government to do what is right
for the democratization of the country.
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