MANAGUA (AP)–Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, Silvio Báez, officiated Sunday mass in Miami prior to his trip to Rome where be established indefinitely, after being transferred to the Vatican by the Pope Francisco.” The wounds of the people of Nicaragua still bleed, but those injuries will resurrect,”said Monsignor Báez before hundreds of worshippers, many of them Nicaraguans, referring to the crisis which the country following the outbreak of social protests against the Government of Daniel Ortega a year ago. Also asked God strength to be able to “build and fight for a humane and just world”, to the attendees that packed the parish church Santa Agatha.muchos of those attending the mass were Nicaraguans who fled the repression of the last months. Some waved their country flags and balloons blue and white, the colors of the national flag.
Considered a strong critic of Ortega, the Catholic Bishop left on Tuesday the country after being required by the Francisco Pope in the Vatican indefinitely. He visited Miami to share a few days with family and he said Monday will travel to Roma.Un emotional moment took place at the end of the religious profession, when several participants danced to the sound of songs typical of Nicaragua and sang the “mananitas” Baez, this Sunday was 61 years old. Surrounded by supporters who embraced him and applauded, the Bishop said he considers “a privilege having worked together with the Nicaraguan people” in the last decade. Baez was born in Nicaragua but lived in Rome for 30 years before returning to the country in 2009.
“I carry the suitcase full of gifts and tears. The largest gift was to accompany as pastor to the people of Nicaragua in their joys and their sorrows, their hope and his cross. I’ll always keep with you and Nicaragua will be free,”he said.
Baez also demanded freedom of Miguel Mora and Lucía Pineda journalists who are prisoners since December 21. “I carry them in my heart, I’m still praying for them,” he said. According to the Inter-American Commission on human rights, “State repression of civilian protestors” left at least 325 dead and more than 2,000 wounded, as well as more than 700 prisoners and more than 50,000 exiles. Baez took part last year as a mediator during a brief first dialogue between the Government and the opposition to resolve the political crisis. President Ortega, who invited the Church as mediator of the process, subsequently criticized the bishops and accused them of planning a coup.
