COMECE condemns aggression against Church leaders in Nicaragua

COMECE shares the concern expressed by the Holy Father on the situation in Nicaragua after the attack of 9 July against Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes (Archbishop of Managua), Mgr. José Silvio Baez (Auxiliary Bishop of Managua), as well as the Apostolic Nuncio, personal representative of the Pope in Nicaragua.

The aggression took place after their arrival outside the San Sebastian Basilica in Diriamba, for a pastoral visit to support priests and faithful, victims of violence in the area of Carazo. A message posted by the Nicaraguan Catholic Bishops’ conference condemned the violence and reiterated that the Bishops were standing on the side of the suffering people in the nation.

Over the last three months, tensions have increased in Nicaragua in relation to the deteriorated social situation and the electoral process, leading to the death of more than 250 people.

With regard to this worrying situation, H. E. Mgr. Rimantas Norvila, President of the COMECE External Affairs Commission, stated: “I express my solidarity with the Church in Nicaragua in these difficult moments and call on the EU to support the mediation and reconciliation efforts of the Nicaraguan Bishops in the ongoing process of national dialogue on the road to lasting peace”.

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Photo: © CNS/Oswaldo Rivas, Reuters