Nicaragua recently detained about a dozen priests as part of a “new crackdown” on the Catholic Church. Reports say The Christian StandtMost of the detained leaders were strong critics of the government of President Daniel Ortega. Sentenced Last year, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison for “undermining national unity.”
On July 26, national police detained 79-year-old Father Frutos Constantino Valle Salmeron after, according to watchdog groups, they told him he had denied them permission to ordain three deacons in the Esteli parish in Managua. World Christian Solidarity.
Frutos, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, was later placed under house arrest at the National Inter-Diocesan Seminary of Our Lady of Fatima after feeling unwell in the police vehicle.
Fathers Ulises Rene Vega Matamoros and Edgardo Sacasa, church officials of the Diocese of Matagalpa, were also taken to the seminary and detained on August 1. Over the next two days (August 2 and 3), the National Police arrested Fathers Jairo Pravia and Victor Godoy of the Immaculate Conception Church of María de Sebaco, and Franciscan Fathers Silvio José Romero, Ramón Morás, Antonio López, and Salvador López, and placed them under house arrest at the seminary in Managua.
Last Monday, police detained Father Harbin Torres, rector of the Matagalpa Seminary and parish priest of the Santa María de Guadalupe Church in Matagalpa. Vatican News I will report.
CSW, a UK-based Christian persecution watchdog, is calling for the release of religious leaders held by Nicaraguan authorities.
“The Nicaraguan government’s continued detention and arrest of religious leaders is unjust and outrageous,” CSW founding president Marvin Thomas said in a statement.
“We call on the international community to stress to the Nicaraguan government that its continued crackdown on independent civil society, relentless attacks on religious leaders, and ongoing violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief are unacceptable. Further efforts must be made to remove the president from power.” [Danie] President Ortega, his wife, and their administration are responsible for the deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.”
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