The National Police locked up this Thursday, August 4, Monsignor Rolando Jose Alvarez in the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa, after the religious leader tried to leave the building and go to the Matagalpa cathedral of San Pedro to celebrate the Holy Mass and the “holy hour”, but when the parking gates were opened, five riot police were placed in attack position with their shields in front and prevented the exit of the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí.
On this Thursday morning, the Nicaraguan bishop asked the police to let him officiate a mass with the parishioners within the Curia. The officers prevented their aides and the Catholic faithful from passing.
The Diocese of Matagalpa shared videos of the moment in which the bishop denounced police harassment and the blocking of his free movement. “They have us locked up in the Episcopal Curia,” said the prelate.
“I have wanted to go out to the Cathedral to do the ‘holy hour’ and the Holy Mass, but obviously the superior authorities (of the Police) have not given permission. We are here six priests, six lay people, who have us locked up in the Episcopal Curia, “explained Álvarez.
“Here —I continue— we are going to remain without disrespecting the Police, we have never disrespected them. Without disrespecting the brothers who have their families and who are our friends. I’m going to wait for them to let me out.”
With the Blessed Sacrament in the hands
In the morning, Álvarez left the Curia to the street, knelt on the sidewalk and raised his hands to heaven, and received Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament from a collaborator and with the Blessed Sacrament he approached the officers, who withdrew from him. , according to a Live transmission, through TV-Merced.
The departmental police chief of Matagalpa, Sergio Gutiérrez, asked the chief to cooperate and the bishop replied: “those who do not cooperate are you.”
The prelate walked among the officers, praying, singing and begging for the intimidation to stop. “Why do they cause anxiety in the population, why do they stir the hearts of a hardworking people, of a faithful people, of a good people, of a simple people, of a friendly people, such as the Nicaraguan people,” cried the priest.
After an hour, the Police allowed the two priests to enter the Episcopal Palace and the bishop offered the Eucharist without parishioners, although it was broadcast live through social networks.
Álvarez indicated that this Thursday is the feast of San Juan María Vianney, patron saint of priests. Therefore, a day of sanctification and protection of the priests is carried out.
The Ortega regime has persecuted and besieged Monsignor Álvarez, one of the most critical voices of the Catholic Church. Last May he was forced to take shelter in a temple in Managua, from where he left under the accompaniment of other pastors. His transfer to Matagalpa was heavily guarded by more than five patrols.
Relations between the Sandinistas and the Nicaraguan Catholic Church have been marked by friction and mistrust in the last 43 years.
President Ortega has branded as “terrorists” the Nicaraguan bishops who acted as mediators of a national dialogue that sought a peaceful solution to the crisis that the country has been experiencing since April 2018.
*With information from Eph.
