Crux in Nicaragua

In Nicaragua’s climate of fear, Church is trapped in the middle
- Dec 10, 2018
The Catholic Church finds itself in the middle of Nicaragua’s government and protesters.

By Inés San Martín
In rural Nicaragua, life as a Catholic priest is no pleasure cruise
- Dec 7, 2018
BOACO VIEJO-TEUSEPE-CAMOAPA, Nicaragua – Although historically being a Catholic priest in Central America brought tremendous privilege and esteem, today nobody would say it’s a cushy gig. Constant political turmoil, chronic poverty and a priest shortage that might demand a cleric to say five Masses on one Sunday are every-day facts

By Inés San Martín
Despite it all, Ortega still commands Catholic support in Nicaragua
- Dec 6, 2018
Catholics in favor of the regime typically refuse to talk to the media because they haven’t been authorized to do so. Such is the tight control the ruling couple has on the country’s six million people, minus an estimated 30,000 who have fled in recent months to Costa Rica.

By Inés San Martín

The more Ortega strikes at Nicaraguan bishop, the bigger hero he becomes
- Dec 5, 2018
As the Catholic Church around the world struggles to maintain its credibility after the clerical sexual abuse crisis, in Nicaragua public trust in at least one bishop appears to be going up on a daily basis despite a government campaign to bring him down.

By Inés San Martín
Amid crisis, Nicaragua’s cardinal becomes a reluctant national leader
- Dec 4, 2018
MANAGUA, Nicaragua – For the past five months, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes has seemed an unwilling leader in the Church’s attempts to help the country regain peace after a civil uprising that began on April 18 leaving hundreds dead and an even greater number imprisoned or “disappeared.” Despite the hardships he’s

By Inés San Martín
Nicaragua’s bishops brave gunfire, stand tall in Advent message
- Dec 3, 2018
The Advent message was signed by all ten Nicaraguan bishops despite attempts from the government of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, over the last several months to sow division within the Church.

By Inés San Martín