Nicaragua: Dictatorship prevents priests from giving the Anointing of the Sick

The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo prevents priests from entering hospitals in Nicaragua to give the Anointing of the Sick to whoever needs it, according to lawyer Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report. Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church?.

Around 10 priests from different dioceses confirmed the situation to Molina, who, however, specified – in an interview with EWTN News – that a few others are allowed to enter the hospitals, “but these are priests somewhat related to the dictatorship, they Sometimes they do have the possibility of entering hospitals, but it is not widespread,” he stated.

The lawyer commented that before this year the Sandinista dictatorship allowed priests to enter health centers. Security measures have been tightened without any justification and the persecution becomes fiercer when priests try to enter with their clerical insignia, which is why many choose to try to enter wearing secular clothing.

Molina assured that the problem is even more serious in the interior of the country, “where the priests are more recognized because they are very small towns, so the authorities, the doctors who are in the hospitals or the people who are guarding the gates to enter They already know them and they prohibit their entry more quickly.”

“In other parts, for example in the capital, the people who are guarding the entrances to the hospitals do not recognize all the clergy of the Archdiocese of Managua, so there they have a greater opportunity to enter, but not dressed as priests, but rather they are entering as lay people to provide the Anointing of the Sick for people who are about to die,” he added.

Ortega mayor disrespects the Holy Mass

On November 10, Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera, Bishop of Jinotega and president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, before celebrating Sunday Mass denounced the Ortega mayor of JinotegaLeónidas Centeno, who interrupted the Eucharistic celebration with loud music in front of the cathedral.

“Brothers, before starting this Eucharist we ask the Lord for forgiveness for our faults and also for those who do not respect worship. This is a sacrilege, what the mayor and all the municipal authorities are doing, and I am going to tell them because they know the time of the Mass and we also support because after Mass we are going to see each other there, that is why we are all failing God. That is why let us ask God for forgiveness for them and for us,” said the bishop. The Mass was broadcast live on the diocese’s Facebook page.

Molina also referred to this, through his account on X, referring to Centeno as a “paramilitary” and a “mayor sanctioned” by the United States Department of the Treasury.

“Sacrilegious, it does not allow Christians to listen to the Eucharistic celebration. He is a criminal who has no limits and whose crimes have gone unpunished. #iglesiaperseguidani #SOSNicaragua,” the lawyer wrote.