Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes advocated this Friday, December 24, for migrants and prisoners, at the mass dedicated to Christmas, in a day that included the distribution of toys among children.
“How can we not remember today and be close to those families who have lost a loved one, that one of their members has had to leave, that they have emigrated. How not to be close to those families who have a member, a relative, a friend, deprived of liberty, “said the cardinal during the homily held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Managua.
Hours before the homily, relatives of political prisoners and opponents killed during the 2018 protests, regretted not being with all their loved ones this Christmas.
In turn, opposition organizations and human rights defenders reiterated their demand to the Daniel Ortega regime for the release of the 167 political prisoners.
Thousands leave the country
Christmas 2021 also occurs in a context in which thousands of Nicaraguans have chosen to migrate, especially to countries such as Costa Rica or the United States, just when Ortega has proclaimed himself the winner of some questioned votes, with the elimination of his adversaries, who they extended their mandate by five years.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that more than 100,000 Nicaraguans migrated between 2018 and 2020, while the Nicaraguan organization in the World (NEEM) believes that the figure doubled in 2021.
“A darkness covers the peoples, without a doubt many of us have something, a darkness that fills us with sadness, a darkness that covers our minds, our families, our homeland, that covers the world, violence, death,” lamented the cardinal.
Brenes insisted that, to overcome the darkness, Nicaraguans must “open their doors to the light,” which is Jesus Christ.
The mass to commemorate Christmas closed a day in which the Catholic Church gave toys to the children who attended the cathedral. The religious ceremony was celebrated under the norms of prevention of the covid-19.
The cardinal, who overcame covid-19, insisted on the use of masks, alcohol, social distance, at family gatherings at Christmas and at the end of the year.
“Due to an oversight, that this joy does not turn into pain and sadness. Thank you, and sorry for this insistence, but the love of God insists on telling us to take care of ourselves, “said Brenes, at the conclusion of the mass.
