The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) assures that the repression exerted by the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo against Monsignor Rolando Álvarez “has had no limits”, because for eight days he has not allowed the bishop together with 10 more people who accompany him can leave the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa.
In a release of this August 11, the agency indicates that the police agents at the service of the regime have “denied the entry of food, and prevented the entry of the person in charge of the kitchen” to the religious compound.
In addition, he reiterated that the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship continues “sowing terror, spying on the curia with drones, hindering the passage of pedestrians through the area, militarizing the city, intimidating with the arrival of high-ranking police officers, such as the appearance of the commissioner general Ramón Avellán, deputy director of the Police who walks through the streets of Matagalpa in a threatening signal and has generated anxiety with citations to the police to opposition people.
Related news: Monsignor Rolando Álvarez has been a “de facto prisoner” for eight days
He stressed that “all these repressive actions show the intention of the regime to continue violating the human rights of the hostages, keep them isolated, starve them and silence the Matagalpa people, preventing them from making their just complaints.”
«What does the regime intend with Monsignor Álvarez? Capture him, expel him from his own country, force him to leave against his will, forcing him physically? », Questioned the Cenidh.
“What is clear is that his strength is unshakable and he has taught what it means to be a good pastor of the church and a good Nicaraguan,” the organization said, after the bishop’s reappearance in a live broadcast this Thursday.
«After several days of anxiety we were able to see Monsignor Rolando Álvarez today celebrating the Eucharist and announcing the next activities of the church. Definitely the coherence and firmness of his message has moved us and motivated us to continue fighting for Nicaragua », he indicated.
Monsignor Álvarez reaches his eighth day under police siege
This Thursday marks eight days of police siege against Monsignor Rolando Álvarez Lagos, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa. The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo ordered that the hierarch, along with 10 other people – between laity and priests – remain in captivity in the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa.
The dictatorship ordered to close all the streets that access the headquarters of the Matagalpa episcopate, placed yellow fences, dozens of traffic policemen, a patrol blocks the vehicular exit of the site and a contingent of riot police with shields are planted in the area to prevent the cardinal leaves the place. In the first days of the siege there were more than 50 officers, now the number could be higher.
Since last August 3, the bishop of Matagalpa has been confined to the episcopal residence, they have prevented him from going out to officiate masses, but that has not silenced his voice.
Despite all the persecution that the Bishop of Matagalpa has experienced, in his homily this thursdayAugust 11, made a call to the parishioners not to be filled with hatred because this feeling destroys the person and is not at peace with himself.
“We want to tell you brothers and sisters that our hearts are full of love, that’s why we are at peace. Our hearts are full of forgiveness, of God’s mercy, that’s why I also told you that we are resting in the hands of the Lord, the best hands in which we can be”, he said in the homily from the Chapel of Misericordies in the Curia Bishop of Matagalpa.
«A person who walks a hell in the heart, an internal fury, is devoured by hatred, it is an evil fire, which destroys, which does evil. He will not be confused by the devil. The first person that hate destroys is itself, the very person who has made room for that annihilating force that is hate. Evil is overcome with the strength of good. Good is eternally powerful”, added Monsignor Rolando Álvarez.
