SW News: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has invited Nicaraguan religious and clergy who face persecution under the dictatorial rule of President Daniel Ortega to take refuge in his country.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, September 21, the Brazilian president stated, "Brazil opens its doors to welcome Catholic parents and nuns who have suffered persecution from the dictatorial regime of Nicaragua."
Pointing out that Brazil is a country advocating religious freedom, the right-wing leader decried the "cruel persecution" faced by those in the Central American country. Bolsonaro further added, "Brazil repudiates religious persecution wherever it occurs in the world."
President Bolsonaro's statement comes against the backdrop of oppression of the Catholic Church by the left leaning government led by President Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo.
There have been sporadic stand-offs between the Church and the government since 2018, following economic repression in the country, when the Church criticized the government for its social security reforms. This was opposed by the civilians and led to several protests. The Sandinista government’s police crushed the uprising and it resulted in the death of nearly 300 people.
In 2022, after the government took over power for another consequent term, the Ortega regime intensified their oppression against the Nicaraguan Church by expelling not less than 18 nuns, of the Missionaries of Charity congregation, of the Mother Theresa of Calcutta. The nuns were forced to leave the country after the Sandinista government stripped the congregation of its legal status.
Following this, the government also shut down seven Catholic radio stations that didn't function as the government's mouthpiece but told people the truth. The forced closure of the radio stations was condemned by Bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez of Matagalpa Diocese. The government then targeted the prelate for speaking against its injustice. As a result, the prelate, alongside some clergy, was placed on house arrest for two weeks. He was then detained and kept in an unknown place since then. Reportedly the prelate's health condition deteriorates. A few other priests were also detained but later set free.
Pope Francis and other International community leaders had expressed their concerns over the unfortunate events in Nicaragua.
President Bolsonaro has always been a voice for the unborn, voiceless and the persecuted Christians