Everything was ready for three new priests to be ordained in Nicaragua on July 27. But, at the last minute, the ceremony was canceled.
The reasons are still unclear. Deacon Wendel Fuentes, one of the men to be ordained, explains in this letter that the reasons are external to the life of the Church.
The local press reports it may have been a decision by the Ortega regime as part of its ongoing persecution of the Catholic Church. So far, the diocese of Esteli has not issued any official statement.
Since 2021, Bishop Rolando Álvarez has been the apostolic administrator. He was exiled to Rome after the dictatorship imprisoned him and the Vatican brokered his release. The bishop is still in office, but for the time being, the diocese is being managed by Fr. Frutos Valle.
The last ordination in the country took place just a few days ago, on July 20. Other ordinations are scheduled for August 16. There are 15 young men who will receive the sacrament from Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes. Relatives of current deacons are worried because they are concerned these ordinations may also be canceled.
AM/CA
TR: KG
