Monsignor Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, expressed his closeness and solidarity with Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, who is subject to “home protection” by orders of the Ortega regime.
“I want to address a few words of affection and comfort to my Nicaraguan brothers. From here I want you to know that I am suffering with you. Praying a lot for Nicaragua and for our Church,” said the prelate at the end of this Sunday’s mass at the Santa Agatha church in Miami, United States.
Related news: Monsignor Silvio Báez to the tyrants and powerful: “Don’t be fooled, no one is eternal, only God”
The Catholic leader asked Nicaraguans not to lose hope, “let us trust in the Lord and pray for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, for the priests of Matagalpa, the laity and for all political prisoners.”
He noted with aplomb that «We must ask for freedom! You don’t have to negotiate with people, because they are innocent. Let us trust in the God of life and freedom, that he will listen to our prayers».
«Let’s not lose heart and have a lot of hope and a lot of strength; We are with you, dear brothers and sisters from Nicaragua, as are so many churches around the world,” he added.
He also sent greetings to the Diocese of Matagalpa and Estelí, which “are being deprived of the physical presence of their pastor —Rolando Álvarez—. “I know that for them it is a great pain.”
Related news: Cardinal Brenes: “The word of God draws our attention and that annoys us”
On the other hand, Báez invited people to a mass for tomorrow night, Monday, August 22, where they will pray for the Church “martyred in Nicaragua” and for those who suffer at the hands of the Ortega dictatorship.
“Don’t be fooled, no one is eternal, only God”
During his homily on this day, Monsignor Báez exhorted the powerful of the earth not to be “little gods”, but to seek God’s salvation. «Salvation is a gift of God offered to all (…) God is good, but he is not permissive and indifferent to our way of behaving. Salvation is a free but demanding gift », he explained.
Alluding to the questionable religiosity professed by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, the prelate pointed out that not everyone can “go through the door” of salvation. “Lies, selfishness and ambitions cannot pass through this door; neither can injustice, oppression and violence pass, and much less, hypocritical religiosity, made of words or sterile rites.
In reference to the hate speech by art of the Nicaraguan regime against the Catholic Church and the current attack against priests, the prelate said that “On a social level, honeyed speeches that invoke God and speak of him are useless and blasphemous, while hateful words are uttered, infamous slanders are fabricated and the people are made to suffer.
Related news: Second Vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa: “Nicaragua lives a path with a narrow door”
“Those who exercise power, do not deceive yourself: they will not be happy or reach salvation by being unjust and cruel. Understand that making others suffer closes the door that leads to life. And do not forget that no one is eternal, only God. Strive to enter through the narrow gate! », he exhorted.
He also demanded the freedom of his brother Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, one of the most critical religious voices of the Ortega government, who has been deprived of his liberty for more than 48 hours.
