A statue of Mary is seen on a cobblestone barricade in Masaya, Nicaragua. Photo: CNS The pastoral centre of the Diocese of Matagalpa in central Nicaragua, whose bishop was in Rome to inform the Pope of the situation in his country, has been attacked by men armed with machetes.
The attack occurred last week after two months of protests against Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega which have resulted in violence and more than 200 deaths.
The priests of the Matagalpa diocese stated that at about noon on June 26 “our Charterhouse Diocesan Pastoral Centre was raided by a group of masked men armed with machetes”.
The priests indicated that the assailants “stormed into the centre” took away valuables, and damaged the furniture and the infrastructure. They also threatened the guard.
The priests expressed their sadness “for this desecration of a sacred place dedicated to evangelisation and spirituality”. They also condemned the lack of respect for members of the Church and its goods.
“This shameful act is an affront to the person of our pastor Bishop Rolando Álvarez who is on his consultative trip to Rome, and to our parishioners,” the priests said, asking the authorities to find those responsible.