Nicaragua extinguishes legal status for religious orders, evangelical congregations August 20, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News The Nicaraguan government has extinguished the legal status of more than 25 Catholic organizations, including religious orders such as the Franciscans, Carmelites and Augustinians, another diocesan Caritas chapter, and lay Catholic groups, as part of an attack on civil society with the closure of 1,500 nongovernmental organizations.
Seven exiled Nicaraguan priests arrive in Rome as Ortega regime continues to target church August 9, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Vatican, World News The Vatican confirmed Aug. 9 that seven priests expelled from Nicaragua arrived in Rome Aug. 8. They had been detained in an assault on a diocese headed by an outspoken bishop as the Ortega regime continued debilitating the Catholic Church and forcing its critics into exile.
‘We cannot be neutral,’ Venezuelan cardinals say, calling for full release of election results August 6, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Pope Francis has called for both sides to “seek the truth” in Venezuela’s contested election as the opposition denounces electoral fraud — publishing tally sheets as proof — while the ruling Chavista regime refuses to release the full information on the vote and cracks down on demonstrations.
‘Parishes are on their own,’ says Nicaraguan priest as regime’s repression targets diocese August 5, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News At least 11 churchmen have been detained by police and paramilitaries over a weeklong assault in northern Nicaragua, depleting the already demoralized Diocese of Matagalpa — whose leader, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, lives in exile.
Buenos Aires no longer Argentina’s primatial see as pope switches see to Santiago del Estero July 29, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has designated the provincial city of Santiago del Estero as Argentina’s primatial see in a move described by Catholic leaders as a historic “reparation” and a reflection of his preference for putting the peripheries at the center of church attention. The Archdiocese of Buenos Aires — the national capital, with roughly one-third of […]
El gobierno de Ortega cierra Radio María en Nicaragua July 12, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: En Español El gobierno nicaragüense cerró la emisora de radio católica más importante del país, mientras el régimen sandinista continúa su persecución contra la Iglesia y atentando cada vez más contra la libertad religiosa y de culto de los ciudadanos.
Nicaraguan government removes Radio María from airwaves July 12, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Journalism, News, World News The Nicaraguan government closed the country’s most prominent Catholic radio station as the Sandinista regime continues to persecute the church and increasingly infringe on citizens’ religious freedom and the ability to worship.
Mexican government asks priests to take civics course July 10, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Mexico’s Interior Ministry has requested the participation of priests in courses promoting “civic values” in the aftermath of the ruling Morena party’s massive electoral victory and disquiet from the country’s episcopal conference over social peace in the deeply divided country.
Critics express skepticism over U.S.-Panama deportation agreement July 8, 2024By David Agren Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Catholic groups working with migrants traversing the treacherous Darién Gap have expressed skepticism over a joint U.S.-Panama plan to deport people passing through the thick jungle between Colombia and Panama on journeys toward the U.S. border.
Bishops congratulate Mexico’s new president; country elects first female to top office June 4, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Mexico’s bishops congratulated Claudia Sheinbaum, who overwhelmingly won Mexico’s presidential election to become the country’s first female president — a historic accomplishment overshadowed by the killing of candidates and questions over the future of the country’s democratic institutions.
Human rights advocate: Dictatorship profanes Nicaraguan churches April 24, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Authorities in the city of León, Nicaragua, chose an unusual place for setting up a boxing ring and staging prize fights: the courtyard of the local cathedral. They even scheduled the matches for April 19 — just as Bishop René Sándigo of León was celebrating his birthday.
Mexico City is ‘waiting room’ for migrants as they sort out legal situation before heading to border April 14, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News An increasing number of migrants are now staying put for long periods in Mexico City as they attempt to get their legal situations sorted out prior to risking crossing the U.S.–Mexico border — where drug cartels target them for kidnapping.
