Monsignor Silvio Baez He urged Catholic leaders to preach without fear, in freedom, without alliances with tyrants who “manipulate religion,” whom the Gospel calls a “breed of vipers.”
«The preaching of John the Baptist was not diplomatic or fearful, but prophetic and clear. As should also be the preaching of the Church today, if it wants to be a servant of the Messiah and not an institution afraid of discontenting the powerful today “. stated the auxiliary bishop of Managua in his Sunday homily this December 4th.
Monsignor referred to today’s Gospel that tells us about the prophet John the Baptist, who announced and prepared the arrival of Jesus, known for being critical of the despotic authorities of his time.
He said of him that he was not “a preacher concerned about not displeasing the feared Herod Antipas, much less a cowardly ally of the bloodthirsty Roman procurator Pontius Pilate. The most impressive thing about Juan was his freedom. That is why his word had an impact on the hearts of the people ».
“Today we need the rebellion of Juan Bautista,” said the Nicaraguan bishop persecuted by the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
The hierarch’s message comes in a context of religious persecution in Nicaragua. At least a dozen Catholic priests are in prison, including the “house arrest” of the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, Monsignor Rolando Alvarezaccused of rebellion.
In addition, the regime has prohibited Catholic processions, including celebrations for the patron saint of La Purísima, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the most representative religious festival in the country. While human rights and opposition organizations warn of “the silence” of the hierarchy of the Nicaraguan Catholic Church and of Pope Francis himself.
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From Saint Agatha Church in Miami, United States, Monsignor Báez explained that “we need rebellion” to “not settle for a mediocre life full of idols that supplant God; so as not to resign ourselves to accepting a world in which each one seeks his well-being; to dare to think with freedom and a critical spirit against the dominant system; not to accept as normal regimes of terror».
“We need prophetic rebellion to raise our voices in the name of God and denounce the crimes of the oppressors, encourage the downtrodden, enlighten the confused, care for the poor and defend the victims,” exhorted Monsignor Báez.
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“A single voice that dares to speak in the name of God to give hope to the downtrodden and speak the truth with courage, has amazing strength, even if it is only a voice in the desert. A single serene but firm voice that revives hope and does not allow itself to be intimidated by anyone, produces a surprising effect, even if it is only a voice in the desert! How necessary are the voices that fearlessly shout the truth in the name of God and without failing to have hope!», he said emphatically.
Monsignor Báez reminded “the political powers that uphold lies with cynicism, manipulate religion for their own interests, deify themselves with arrogance and impose themselves cruelly on the people”, that both John the Baptist and Jesus called them a “breed of vipers”. .
«Today John would tell us: stand before God, do not be deceived, do not be satisfied with the good image that others have of you and go to the bottom of your heart. Face your hidden sins, recognize what is false and immoral in your life, humbly acknowledge your double life, your unspeakable ambitions, your selfishness and lies,” said the religious leader forced into exile.
