«We strongly urge the authorities of Managua to immediately order the end of assaults and violations of fundamental rights, and we urge all those responsible for these acts to change their behavior.»
This is the appeal of the Presidency of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), which expresses solidarity with the Nicaraguan people, spread at the end of the meeting on the renewal and restructuring of the international body, held in Bogotà from November 19-21, 2019, reported Fides News Agency.
The proximity of CELAM to the Latin American peoples of neighboring countries that are experiencing serious political and social instability, was expressed in a message addressed «to the People of God and the Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean», entitled «Walking together for the peace of our peoples», to which is added this statement addressed in particular to Nicaragua, after the last acts of repression and violence against the Church.
«We want to show solidarity in a particular way with the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference – reads the CELAM statement of November 21 -. We condemn the attack on the Cathedral of Managua, and the attacks on Father Rodolfo Lopez and Sister Arelys Guzman, as well as attacks on some parishes».
The Presidency of CELAM joins the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference «praying and invoking peace in Nicaragua, opposing hatred with love, asking for sentiments of mercy and a just heart to discern the Lord’s designs in the crisis of the country».
The statement concludes with this exhortation: «The Lord of Peace, together with his mother Mary, who invite us to defend the life and rights of those threatened and victims of injustice who have suffered persecution, force us as an ecclesial community to live radically our commitment to faith».
