The Conference of Provincials of Jesuits of Latin America and the Caribbean (CPAL) sent a letter to the Catholic communities, institutions and people of Nicaragua due to the “fear, frustration and even hopelessness” that the religious harbor due to the persecution imposed by the regime in the country.
«We constantly receive from Nicaragua news and images of people arbitrarily detained, disappeared, tortured and murdered; of civil organizations closed, of repressed demonstrations, of Christian communities with pastors who are prevented from their work and harassed as if they were criminals, of many media outlets silenced, of thousands of Nicaraguans who leave the country and seek refuge in other horizons. It hurts us deeply that the rights of people and institutions that only seek the good of the country are repressed and restricted, ”says the letter sent this September 2.
Related news: US congressmen condemn repression against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua
The Jesuits reiterate that it is not easy for them “to imagine the fear, the frustration and even the despair that can tempt them. We ask you not to lose heart; may they find in the Master Jesus all the necessary strength to face these moments; may they welcome the Spirit of discernment to help them stand up and, with intelligent love, respond to the challenge of building a tomorrow of justice and reconciliation».
The Catholics addressed “those responsible for so much death and violence in various countries of the continent, but particularly in Nicaragua to ask them, to beg them, to demand in the Name of God – like Monsignor (Arnulfo) Romero, that: the repression cease; that they stop arresting those who do not think like them, that they stop silencing dissenting voices, that they stop throwing out of the country those who do not respond to their interests. It is possible that our voice does not reach those authorities, that they misunderstand and misrepresent them, or that they do not pay any attention to us, ”says the letter.
The condemnation of the repression against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua has been generalized nationally and internationally. Social organizations and the international community have demanded that Daniel Ortega stop persecuting him against religious leaders, however his regime continues to ignore the questions, rather it has intensified the repression.
Related news: Where is Monsignor Rolando Álvarez?, Cenidh demands information about the bishop
Recently, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) pointed out that these acts of the dictatorship are part of a systematic context of persecution, criminalization, harassment, police siege and stigmatizing statements by the highest authorities of the State. According to the organization, this is a product of the critical role of the Church in denouncing the human rights violations that occurred in the context of the crisis in the country and for having mediated a national dialogue in 2018.
For their part, the Jesuits continued to express that “the hope and confidence that truth and justice always triumph over lies and oppression, and open paths of participation and reconciliation. Surely this will not come soon nor will it be easy. Therefore, we repeat: do not lose heart, do not lose faith, do not lose hope, persevere doing good and seeking justice!
They reiterate that they will continue to support “with the means that are in our hands and through the channels that are possible for the communities, presences and institutions of the Society of Jesus in Nicaragua.”
