Pope Francis expressed on Sunday (21) his concern and his pain for the situation in Nicaragua and called for “an open and sincere dialogue” so that “the foundations can be found for a respectful and peaceful coexistence”. In an appeal at the end of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Francis made no reference to the arrest of the Bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez, by Nicaraguan police officers on Friday (19).
“I follow closely, with concern and pain, the situation that has arisen in Nicaragua, which affects people and institutions. I would like to express my conviction and my desire that, through an open and sincere dialogue, the basis for a respectful and peaceful coexistence can be found,” said the pope, who had not yet commented on the situation in Nicaragua.
Álvarez, bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Estelí, both in northern Nicaragua, was arrested on Friday inside the provincial episcopal palace, along with five priests, two seminarians and a cameraman, after 15 days of confinement. Álvarez’s arrest, preceded by the arrest of three priests, is the latest chapter in the tense relations between the Catholic Church in Nicaragua and the Sandinistas led by dictator Daniel Ortega.
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