In his latest attack against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega has reportedly banned public Easter processions of the Way of the Cross in all parishes around the country.

By Clodagh Gallagher

In his latest move against the Catholic Church and opponents of his dictatorial regime in Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega has reportedly banned public Easter processions of the Way of the Cross in all parishes around the country.

This move comes in the context of an escalating persecution of the Church in Nicaragua over the last five years – most recently of which has culminated in the sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa to 26 years’ imprisonment, for protesting police harassment of Catholics via hunger strike, which Ortega deems “treason”. The sentencing has garnered further international intention for Catholics in the Central American country, who face continuous and increasing threat of persecution from State authorities, because the practice of their Catholic faith is seen by Ortega’s government as a political opposition to his dictatorship.

To date, Ortega has deported 222 political opponents to the United States. They have all been stripped off citizenship along with another 94 Nicaraguan citizens, including the exiled Auxiliary Bishop Silvo José Baez, of Managua, and a priest from Matagalpa. Four priests, two seminarians, and a Catholic photographer working for a Catholic news site have also been arrested in the last year for speaking out against Ortega’s regime.

In a rant last week, Ortega doubled down on his anti-Catholic leanings and ironically called for the Catholic Church to become a democratic institution.

“I don't believe in popes or kings: who chooses the Pope?”, he said. “If we want to talk about democracy, the people should first elect priests and the bishops”, and “even the Pope” should be “elected by direct vote and not by the organised mafia in the Vatican".

His outburst was preceded by Pope Francis’ appeal for peace in Nicaragua, on Sunday 12 February. During the Angelus prayer, the Pope said he was praying for Bishop Álvarez, “for those who have been deported to the United States, and for all those who suffer in the beloved nation of Nicaragua”.

Aid To The Church In Need echoes Pope Francis’ concern for the Church in Nicaragua. We invite our friends and benefactors to pray for peace, and to stand in solidarity with Christians in the country.