"Nicaragua is an orphan country for lack of freedom and justice," says Nicaraguan bishop

From Managua, the situation in Nicaragua continues to be a grave concern for its people and the Catholic Church. Bishop Silvio Báez, a prominent voice of dissent now forced into exile, has once again spoken out against the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime, describing the nation as "an orphan country lacking freedom and justice."

“

Nuestro país (...) es un país huérfano por falta de libertad y justicia, al que han querido robarle la dignidad y el futuro

His words, delivered from a church in the United States, resonate deeply with the thousands of Nicaraguans who have fled the country due to political repression and the erosion of basic human rights. The government's systematic crackdown on opposition, freedom of the press, and religious expression has left many feeling hopeless, their dignity and future seemingly stolen.

“

es un signo elocuente de la vitalidad de la Iglesia nicaragüense, que sigue siendo fecunda aun en medio de la persecución y el exilio

Despite the grim reality, Bishop Báez finds hope in the resilience of the Nicaraguan Church. The recent ordination of Cristhian David Mendieta as a priest in Miami serves as a powerful symbol of the Church's enduring vitality, even amidst persecution and exile. This is a narrative that resonates differently here; while Western media might focus on the political crisis, for us, the Church's continued spiritual and pastoral work, even from afar, is a testament to faith and a source of national identity.

“

Cristhian David, aun en medio de situaciones conflictivas y complejas, no temas ser siempre un padre para los pobres, los excluidos y las víctimas

Báez's message to the newly ordained priest, urging him to be a "father to the poor, the excluded, and the victims" and to let denunciation not turn into renunciation, reflects the pastoral challenges faced by clergy both within Nicaragua and in the diaspora. It underscores the unique position of the Church as a moral compass and a beacon of hope in a nation grappling with profound political and social turmoil since 2018.

“

a que la denuncia no se convirtiera en renuncia y que el peligro no los llevara a la fuga