Bishop of Matagalpa says he does not know why they are investigating him and affirms that he has a "house for jail"

They denounce that the Government of Nicaragua besieges the curia 1:33

(CNN Spanish) ––

The bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, said this Saturday during a mass that he does not know the reason why the Nicaraguan authorities are investigating him.

This is his response to the statement published by the National Police on Friday night, in which they accuse him of "trying to organize violent groups, inciting them to carry out acts of hatred against the population, causing an atmosphere of anxiety and disorder, altering peace and harmony of the community, with the purpose of destabilizing the State of Nicaragua and attacking the constitutional authorities".

• Tension in the north of Nicaragua due to the closure of Radio Católica and 6 other stations of that diocese

Álvarez denounced that on Wednesday several police officers closed the street of his offices and that on Thursday they prevented him from leaving to celebrate a day of prayer and mass in the city's cathedral.

He also added that since then he has been besieged with six other priests and six lay people in the Matagalpa curia.

"As you all know, yesterday that police statement came out, in which we have basically read two things. First, I am being investigated... well, I don't know what. Well, they will be making their own guesses. And second, well, what They have formally said that we have a house for a prison. We are here gathered and held and we are always with inner strength and peace, and the joy in our hearts that the Risen One gives us. The joy of the one who tells us courage, is me, do not be afraid," said Monsignor Álvarez.

Then he continued: "Remember, dearest brothers, fear paralyzes, self-buried despair and hate, because it is the death of the heart." "Hate is answered with love, despair with living hope and fear with hope. strength and courage," he emphasized.

Reactions to the bishop's situation in Matagalpa

The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica published a statement this Saturday on its website in which it expresses "its most sincere solidarity and closeness with the diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, especially with its pastor, Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos". priests, consecrated persons and lay people in the face of the difficult situation they are experiencing and that is getting worse every day”, he adds.

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• The UN and episcopal conferences of Central America react to the situation of bishops and priests in Nicaragua

The Episcopal Conference of Honduras and the Latin American Episcopal Council also expressed solidarity with the Nicaraguan people in the face of this week's events.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Managua expressed on Friday through a statement its closeness to Álvarez and urged that through dialogue and understanding he can continue his pastoral work.

Daniel Ortega Bishop