The Peruvian Episcopal Conference sympathizes with the Bishop of Nicaragua, who was arrested by the police of his country

The Episcopal Conference of Peru (CEP) expressed its support and solidarity to Catholics this Friday Nicaragua and his church following a police attack on the episcopal see and the arrest of a bishop from a Central American country.

“In this hour of martyrdom, the fraternal people of Nicaragua witnessed the fidelity to the values ​​of the Gospel and the defense of the dignity of the human person, the Bishops of Peru. express your solidarity and closeness to the episcopate and all the faithful Catholics of this brotherly country,” the CEP said in a statement.

In this message they also accompany those who “in a special way by their prayer (…) deprived of liberty”.

The institution claimed that violence was never born, “it only sowed the seeds poverty and from hatred”, and that when it is unjustified, “it violates the harmony, respect and peace” that nations should achieve holistic development and social friendship.

“We have sadly watched through the media, aggression and destruction of Catholic religious images and symbolsthereby striking not only the religious sensitivity of the believing people, but also offending Christian roots which constitute the idiosyncrasy of this nation,” said the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.

He added that in the midst of pain and forgiveness, “the demand for justice and respect” could be raised, allowing Nicaraguan Catholics to express their beliefs with the freedom of those who live in true democracy.

violent intervention

The Nicaraguan police forced their way into the bishop’s palace. Diocese of Matagalpa – in the north of the country – and arrested Bishop Rolando Alvarez, as well as seven of his employees, who were held and held since August 4 last year.

“Urgently! At this time, the National Police entered the episcopal curia of our diocese of Matagalpa,” the church headquarters reported on their social networks.

Alvarez, 55, Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa in Nicaragua and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Esteli, is accused by the national police of trying to “organize violent groups” allegedly “with the aim of destabilize The State of Nicaragua and attacks on the constitutional authorities”, although they have not provided any evidence so far.

Prelate, critic of the presidential government Daniel Ortegawas arrested along with the priests José Luis Diaz and Sadiel Eugarrios, the first and second vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa de San Pedro, respectively.

Friction with mode

The arrest of Alvarez is the last skirmish in history of friction between the Nicaraguan Catholic Church and supporters of President Ortega.

This year, the Nicaraguan government expelled the Apostolic Nuncio from the country. Waldemar Stanislav Sommertag, imprisoned three priests, shut down eight Catholic radio stations, and removed three Catholic channels from subscription television programming.

In addition, he forcibly entered the parish, raided the parish and expelled 16 nuns from the missionary order of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Similarly, he forbade the Archdiocese of Managua to hold a procession with the image of the pilgrim of the Virgin of Fatima.

President Ortega branded “terrorists”To the Bishops of Nicaragua who have acted as facilitators of the national dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that the country has been experiencing since April 2018. (EFE)