Fr. Carlos Avilés of Nicaragua, a critic of Daniel Ortega's government, offered his parish to his fellow Bishop Rolando Álvarez as refuge when he was being chased by the police.
Fr. Avilés now says that the closing of Channel 51, owned by the Episcopal Conference, has been a heavy blow to the Catholic Church and said that there are very few TV channels left that tell the truth.
FR. CARLOS AVILÉS CANTÓN
Justice and Peace Commission, Archdiocese of Managua
This channel was in solidarity with Monsignor Rolando, who is the director. When the government ordered its closure, the Episcopal Conference was surprised. The conference did not comment on the closure, but it is certainly one more blow by the government in repressing the Church.
The Nicaraguan priest asks for the support of the rest of the world. He says that the Church is suffering along with its people and parishioners.
FR. CARLOS AVILÉS CANTÓN
Justice and Peace Commission, Archdiocese of Managua
As Nicaraguans, we hope for solidarity from the rest of the world because we feel alone, we do not feel that any international authority is watching over the people. The Church, thanks to God, reflects on what the people are experiencing. We have no privilege, we have no power and we are suffering like the people are suffering.
The Nicaraguan Church has been in the cross hairs of the Ortega government since they provided aid to protesters in the 2018 demonstrations against President Ortega's policies.
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