On the same day that The Atlantic declared the Rosary an ‘Extremist Symbol’, Nicaragua dictator Daniel Ortega continued his crackdown on Catholics by abducting a priest.
The Diocese of Siuna released the following statement through their Facebook page:
Oscar Benavidez, parish priest of the Parish Espiritu Santo Mulukuku, was arrested, we do not know the causes or motives of his arrest, we hope that the authorities will keep us informed.
For now I only invite you to join us in prayer for our brother Benavidez whose only mission is and has been to announce the good news of Jesus Christ who is the word of life and salvation for all.
May Mary our Mother intercede for us.
It comes as at least one bishop and several other priests are either under house arrest or languishing in jail under Ortega’s regime.
It must be said that this incident only further highlights the vile nature of The Atlantic’s hate piece against Catholics, which was enabled by a ‘hate researcher’ from the Holocaust Education Centre no less. Despite out attempts to get in touch with them, they have failed to answer whether or not they agree with such an attack on the Rosary. These words have real world consequences.
The escalation in Nicaragua shows no signs of stopping and in fact, it seems to become more volatile with each passing week. It is not reckless to surmise that martyrdom is not far away.
International Catholic voices must speak up to raise awareness.
So too must political ones, especially those close to Daniel Ortega, such as Irish President Michael D Higgins.