Vatican Successfully Negotiates Release of 19 Nicaraguan Religious
The Vatican Chancellor, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, has confirmed the successful negotiation of the release of 19 Nicaraguan priests who were banished to Rome. During a press conference on the 200th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, Archbishop Gallagher acknowledged the challenges of achieving the release of the priests, stating that “It wasn’t easy” due to the current “stormy times.”
The Archbishop highlighted the inspiration drawn from Consalvi, a symbol of Vatican diplomacy, in facing seemingly impossible challenges and finding solutions in difficult times. He also confirmed that the released priests are now guests of the Holy See.
The list of released religious includes Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison for crimes considered treason. Following him is Bishop Isidoro Mora, who was detained in the midst of a wave of arrests of Catholic religious. Additionally, 15 priests, including those from the Archdiocese of Managua, Masaya, and Carazo, were also part of the group banished to Rome.
Among the released priests are Pablo Villafranca, Carlos Avilés, Héctor Treminio, and Silvio Fonseca, who belong to the Archdiocese of Managua. Other priests from various dioceses, as well as seminarians, were also included in the list of those released.
The release of the Nicaraguan religious comes amid ongoing tensions in Nicaragua, with a total of 37 priests being released and sent out of the country in the last year. The negotiation and successful release of the banished religious signifies a hopeful development in the midst of the challenging situation in Nicaragua.