Managua - The Nicaraguan government of President Daniel Ortega has banned traditional public processions of the Way of the Cross during Lent and Good Friday, accusing Catholic Bishops of "grave crimes and horrors".

During Lent, and also on Good Friday, the spiritual exercises will only be allowed inside churches.

This move is part of Ortega's escalating crackdown against the Nicaraguan Church, following the recent sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and the deportation of 222 political opponents, including a bishop and a priest.

They have all been stripped off citizenship along with other 94 Nicaraguan citizens, including the exiled Auxiliary Bishop Silvo José Baez, of Managua, and a priest from Matagalpa.

In a speech last week, Ortega accused the Catholic hierarchy of supporting former dictator Somoza.

In his address to the nation, Ortega also accused the papacy of having supported Italian dictator Mussolini, and the Vatican of being a “mafia organization”.

“I don't believe in popes or kings: who chooses the Pope?” he said. “If we want to talk about democracy, the people should first elect priests and the bishops”, and “even the Pope” should be “elected by direct vote and not by the organized mafia in the Vatican."

Worldwide solidarity with the Church in Nicaragua
Following Pope Francis' appeal for Nicaragua on 12 February, President Ortega went on a rant against the Catholic Church.

The Holy Father had expressed solidarity with Bishop Álvarez, who was recently sentenced to 26 years in prison for treason, as well as the 222 political opponents who were deported to the United States. However, Ortega made no mention of the exiles or Bishop Álvarez's situation in his speech.
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) has called for Bishop Álvarez's immediate release, citing concerns for his safety and the lack of news or family visits since his imprisonment in La Modelo security prison.

Following Pope Francis’ appeal, the US Bishops too have expressed their solidarity with the Church in Nicaragua.

“At this dark hour, courageous hope, charity, and solidarity are bearing witness to the enduring vitality of the faith of the people of Nicaragua and among Catholics worldwide supporting the Nicaraguan faithful”, the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said, urging he U.S. government and other partners “to continue to pursue the release of Bishop Álvarez and the restoration of human rights in Nicaragua.”