Priests and vicars who were exiled along with 222 political prisoners to the United States, celebrated a thanksgiving mass for their release. The religious event was held on Saturday, February 11, at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Maryland, United States.
The religious asked to pray for Nicaragua and for the release of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, sentenced by the Ortega court to 26 years in prison.
Related news: Priests, seminarians and laymen reflect “unwavering strength and faith” despite impeachment
“It is a great honor and satisfaction to be here with you, not only because we already enjoy freedom, but also because we can share this banquet,” said Father Ramiro Tijerino, rector of the Juan Pablo II University and in charge of the parish of San Juan Bautista, who presided over the mass.
The prelate also thanked “the prayers” of the Catholic faithful “for enjoying this freedom that is such a precious gift; never let them take them away, both physical freedom and spiritual freedom, freedom to be ourselves, to express ourselves,” the religious exhorted.
“We pray for all the political prisoners, for the 222 brothers who were released just two days ago, we ask for what the Lord has prepared for them, we are looking for where to go.”
The religious also thanked the Lord for the government of the United States, which “has welcomed us, has opened its doors for us, and provided marvelous care.”
They pray for the peace of Nicaragua and the freedom of Monsignor Álvarez
Tijerino indicated that the mass was dedicated to pray for their families who are in Nicaragua. “As you know, they are not calm, they are not enjoying peace, peace is the fruit of justice and where there is no justice there is no peace.”
He stated that some of the religious will have “the joy” of meeting some of their relatives, “but we have others who remain in our homeland.”
Related news: They deny access to the “breviary” to the imprisoned priests of Matagalpa
In a very special way, the released religious prayed for Nicaragua and for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez. «The Lord is giving you strength, as he has given us throughout this time that we were imprisoned; I know that the Lord continues to strengthen him, he continues to give him that strength and that courage to continue proclaiming the gospel, there in those circumstances, “said Father Tijerino.
The other religious exiled by the Ortega dictatorship who were at the thanksgiving mass were Father Oscar Benavidez, parish priest of the Espíritu Santo church, in Mulukukú, Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast, sentenced to 10 years in jailfor the alleged crimes of conspiracy to undermine national integrity and propagation of false news to the detriment of the State and Nicaraguan society.
Also present were the first and second vicar of the San Pedro Cathedral, in Matagalpa, Jose Luis Diaz and Sadiel Eugarriosall imprisoned for more than six months in the cells of the Directorate of Judicial Assistance (DAJ), known as “El Nuevo Chipote”, in Managua.
Also attended Melkin Rye Sequeirathe cameraman of the Diocese of Matagalpa Sergio Cardenas and Manuel Obando, Monsignor Álvarez’s trusted journalist.
All the religious present at the thanksgiving mass had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for alleged conspiracy and detriment to the homeland, however on February 9 they were expelled from Nicaragua and their nationality annulled, however now free they continue to exercise their ministry and asking for the freedom of Nicaraguans.
