08.19.2018
Corporate Statement about Nicaragua
Condemn Ongoing Violence in Nicaragua
Solidarity and Wishes for Peace in Nicaragua.
In recent months, the people of Nicaragua have been victims of violence and repression carried out by their government, because of their protests against the repressive measures regarding human rights adopted by the government of Daniel Ortega. According to information from international organizations, more than 300 people have been killed by the military forces. There have also been reports of large numbers of Nicaraguans tortured and missing.
The churches and convents have been transformed into shelters for the people fleeing violence. Expressing his grief in the face of these facts, Pope Francis endorsed the return to dialogue that rejects violence and repression and a commitment to respect freedom and liberty, and above all, to respect the lives of all people.
In the face of this threat to life and to human rights, we, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambéry, condemn this ongoing violence and express our solidarity with the Nicaraguan people. We unite in prayer with men and women religious who engage in caring for the population and who, as a result of the associations established through their missions in Nicaragua, repudiate the threat to human life and the abolition of human rights.
The time now for this Central American nation is not one for the creation of martyrs, but to develop understanding. Together with the Catholic Church of Nicaragua, with the Conference of Religious of Latin America and the Caribbean, with believers, sisters and brothers of other churches and religions, as well as with non-believers, we voice our concerns and ask that this repression cease immediately. As women whose charism is to help facilitate union among all people, thereby creating peaceful relationships, we entreat the government leaders to stop this oppression.
In expressing our longing for the recovery of a peacemaking environment, we reaffirm that only dialogue and respect for democracy will be able to salvage harmonious coexistence and social development, which benefit humanity and bring peace.
We pray that God will enlighten the leaders of this nation so that they have the clarity to take care of the lives of the people, and not just economic interests, so that all may have life and life in abundance (John 10: 10).
We ask the more than 1450 Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambéry, the associates and laity of the Little Design, serving in 19 countries, and all people of good will to join us in prayer and commitment to this country.
The Superior General on behalf of the General Council
Sister Sally Hodgdon
Rome, August 10, 2018
