In Nicaragua, preparations for Lent and Holy Week processions are notably absent as the government has imposed a ban for the second consecutive year. This niche of faith, vibrant across Latin America, is stifled in Nicaragua, where human rights advocates and exiled priests highlight a severe crackdown on the Catholic Church. The United States has asserted this situation exemplifies one of the most blatant persecutions of religion worldwide.
More than 200 religious figures have fled persecution, causing a dearth of officiants to conduct Mass or confessions, particularly in rural areas. Those remaining face draconian measures such as police surveillance and the requirement to submit sermon drafts to authorities, all while grappling with their accounts being blocked or raided. Amid such oppressive conditions, a Catholic priest described how clergy strive to nurture their community, despite feeling suffocated by looming threats.
The U.S. government has strongly denounced the Nicaraguan regime led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo for its increasingly hostile approach toward the Church. During a recent visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the regime’s systematic elimination of religious voices, asserting that anyone opposing their power faces punishment. In its annual report, the Commission on International Religious Freedom characterised the situation as “abysmal,” noting that over 80% of Nicaraguans identify as Christian, primarily Catholic or evangelical.
The commission documented government actions such as harassing and deporting clergy, manipulating Indigenous church leaders into exile, and permitting attacks on sanctuaries, including an incident where a 400-year-old crucifix was burned. They decried the arbitrary cancellation of legal statuses for religious organisations, leading to property seizures and the countrywide expulsion of nuns—critical care providers for the impoverished.
To suppress free religious expression during last year’s Easter processions, a heavy police presence was enforced, restricting outdoor worship to clergy sympathetic to the regime. This tactic deceives the public into believing in the continuation of popular devotion, while groups like Christian Solidarity Worldwide assert it’s merely a façade. Félix Maradiaga, a former detainee and now exiled, lamented the Sandinista government’s persistent desire to establish a parallel church, mirroring tactics used in authoritarian regimes like China.
Nicaragua’s currents of faith face grave challenges, spurred by the Sandinista National Liberation Front’s tumultuous historical relationship with church leaders, further strained by the Church’s support for citizens during the 2018 protests. Clergy became targets of the government’s ire after providing refuge to the injured, with the regime branding them as “terrorist” supporters of unrest. Maradiaga recounted the critical role the Church played during the protests, rallying to aid the oppressed denied basic human rights.
Lawyer Martha Patricia Molina tallied close to 1,000 instances of church persecution since 2018, highlighting a recent wave of arrests, deportations, and a prohibition of the public Via Crucis procession. The adverse climate has deterred many from openly denouncing abuses, fostering a chilling silence suffocating dissent. Out of nine bishops in Nicaragua, four reside abroad, alongside over 150 clergy and seminarians, reflecting a devastating brain drain from the local Church.
The Vatican reports multiple exiles of priests since 2022, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who faced detention for over a year before being exiled. In a gesture of hope, Pope Francis urged Nicaraguans to remain steadfast in faith. Despite growing distress, many citizens still attend clandestine Masses, wary of government spies documenting congregants. Molina’s personal loss highlights the emotional toll, where even the request for a service poses risks for local priests.
The lingering aspiration for change remains a beacon of hope for exiled clergy. Despite the oppressive landscape, their faith in a different future for Nicaragua persists, undeterred by the prevailing uncertainty around them.
Nicaragua faces intensified persecution of the Catholic Church, with bans on religious processions and over 200 clergy in exile. Human rights advocates and U.S. officials condemn the government’s oppressive measures including surveillance, arrests, and the deportation of nuns. The climate of fear hinders open worship, yet hope persists among exiled clergy and believers.
Nicaragua’s Catholic Church faces relentless persecution under Daniel Ortega’s regime, with severe restrictions on religious expressions and the exile of over 200 religious figures. Human rights advocates and U.S. officials condemn this campaign against faith, exposing the dire conditions for clergy and churchgoers. The government’s oppressive measures thwart hope and undermine the spirit of faith amongst the populace, yet the yearning for a brighter future remains emboldened in the hearts of the exiled.
Original Source: ny1.com
