Bishop Walsh shares a special message about our sister diocese in Matagalpa and the release of 19 clergy and seminarians in Nicaragua:
News of the release of Bishop Alvarez, Bishop Mora, 15 priests and two seminarians from unjust prison sentences in our sister diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua is received in the Diocese of Gaylord with great rejoicing and thanksgiving to God. Along with our Holy Father and people all over the world, we have been praying fervently for this day.
It is a particularly joyful moment for the four Nicaraguans we welcomed to our diocese after their release from prison nearly one year ago. Of these four, Fr. Jose Luis has since moved to Rome where he is now united once again with his bishop with whom he lived at the Cathedral in Matagalpa; Manuel was joined here by his wife Maria Victoria and son Luis Manuel; Wilberto was joined here by his wife Hazzel and two daughters Wendy and Jessel; and Sergio was joined here by his wife Joseling and daughter Maryam. With the help of God, and the very practical help of Fr. Wayne Dziekan and faithful parishioners, especially at St. Philip Neri, Empire and St. Anthony, Mancelona, they are now working in the community, attending local schools, and thriving in our faith community at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Traverse City.
We will forever be inspired by the heroic witness of faith of Bishop Alvarez and the Church in Nicaragua. Let us continue our fervent prayers for those who have been released from prison, that God will heal the trauma of their experiences. Let us also remain diligent in prayer for those still living under a repressive regime where the Church is persecuted. The power of prayer is truly on display every time justice is restored through the patience, peacefulness and just actions of a people shaped by the Beatitudes.
Watch Bishop’s video announcement with additional informational:
