A series of expressions of solidarity have emerged at the national and international level towards Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, after he began an indefinite fast and prayer on Thursday night until the end of the police siege he is suffering.
The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica and Panama separately issued two communiqués expressing their solidarity with Monsignor Álvarez, and with priest Harvesting Padilla from Masayawho has a week of police siege in his parish.
“Be assured of our solidarity and prayer, especially in times of trial. We pray to God to allow them to remain faithful to his mission and grant them a spirit of wisdom”, the Costa Rican bishops stated.
They reiterated “the need for our Central American peoples, in general, to work together for the common good, peace and social justice.”
The Panamanian clergy expressed their solidarity with Álvarez “at this time that he is experiencing persecution for being a prophet in the face of the difficult situation due to the sociopolitical crisis that the Nicaraguan people are experiencing.”
“We join in the prayer so that the persecution of Monsignor Rolando and Father Harving Padilla ceases, who has also been limited to live and celebrate the faith in an environment of freedom and peace,” the Panamanian bishops said in the statement.
– Edwing Roman (@EdwingRoman14) May 22, 2022
“The harassment of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of Matagalpa, reflects the constant siege and intimidation that the Sandinista dictatorship applies to Nicaraguans. His decision should not only be admired, but also accompanied by Christians, and by men and women of good will, ”said the priest Edwin Román, who has been in exile since the end of last year.
The priest Ramiro Tijerino, from Matagalpa, pointed out to CONFIDENTIAL, who like all the clergy, respects and supports Monsignor Álvarez’s decision to take refuge in Managua. “My solidarity with him at all times,” said the father.
For its part, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Oacnudh), of Central America and the Dominican Republic, shared a tweet where they emphasize that the repression of religious is added to the list of human rights restricted by the dictatorship. of Ortega.
#Nicaragua: the police siege of the priests of the Catholic Church reconfirms that in #Nicaragua No one is freed from the incessant persecution of divergence, of the demand for justice and, now, of pastoral work. Freedom of religion adds to the #HR alibis.
— OHCHR (@OHCHR) May 21, 2022
“The police siege of the priests of the Catholic Church reconfirms that in #Nicaragua no one is free from the incessant persecution of divergence, the demand for justice and, now, pastoral work. Freedom of religion is added to restricted human rights”, they point out.
For its part, the Archdiocese of Managua expressed its solidarity this Saturday afternoon with Monsignor Álvarez and with the priest Harving Padilla from Masaya, who has been under a police siege for a week. In a statement, they made “a call to the National Police to put down this unnecessary attitude.” They also asked the faithful to pray “to create a climate of national understanding.”
In Jinotega, Father Asdruval Zeledón recalled in his homily that “the world’s hatred of Christians is a logical consequence of a life choice, speaking the truth, whoever is a follower of the gospel does not belong to the world, and therefore, it cannot accept those who oppose Christian principles.”
Nicaraguans pray for Bishop
The Mother of April Association also expressed solidarity with the Catholic Church and with Monsignor Álvarez for the “siege that AMA families also receive in their memory exercises in cemeteries and houses. Likewise, we join Monsignor Rolando Álvarez’s call to fast and pray in the churches and accompany us in these difficult times,” they said on their Twitter account.
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) reiterated its support for the bishop and called on the population to accompany him “in his exemplary attitude” and recalled that the bishop has been present in the most difficult moments in the country.
“If there was a rule of law in Nicaragua, the authorities would have already guaranteed the security that it asks for, but it is clear that denying it its right is also a way for the regime to sow terror in the population,” they say in a statement published on Twitter.
In parallel, several parishes in the country have joined the prayer activities that this Saturday, May 21, are carried out on the second day of fasting and prayer carried out by Monsignor Álvarez.
Also, on social networks, dozens of Nicaraguans, Catholic or not, have taken the opportunity to leave comments of encouragement and prayer to the bishop. “Lord Jesus, hear our pleas for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bless him and take care of him from the infernal dragon,” wrote a user.
“From Canada, I am in prayer for Monsignor Rolando José. Jesus of Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary will protect him from those demons”, “Sacramented Jesus, we place in your hands the life of the monsignor that you are, protecting him from all evil”, says another user.
Monsignor Álvarez took advantage of his homily this Saturday to thank the parishioners for “their prayers, their moments of Eucharistic adoration, their rosaries, their fasts, their offering to the Lord in union and communion with this unworthy servant of the Lord. God pay you, we remain united in prayer, “said the religious.
Subscriber campaign for the Catholic Channel begins
Likewise, a voluntary campaign was created on social networks to promote the YouTube channel of the Catholic Channel of Nicaragua, which belongs to the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, in response to the order given by the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Post Office (Telcor) to Get it off the cable TV rack.
The YouTube channel went, in less than 24 hours, from a little over 15,000 subscribers to 26,800, as of 5:00 pm this Saturday. This action promoted by users of social networks is a response to the censorship imposed by the Ortega regime, who in the last four years has taken off the air national and cable television channels, television and radio programs that are critical of the management of the.
“We invite you all to follow the Nicaraguan Catholic Channel on Facebook and YouTube, which you follow through social networks. The Catholic Channel continues to broadcast, but now through Facebook and YouTube. Very soon we will be announcing a new digital platform so that you have another option to always remain in participation with the Catholic Channel of Nicaragua”, said Monsignor Álvarez this Saturday.
