← News feed Pan-Orthodox

Nicaraguan bishop: Irrationality and cruelty are tragic characteristics of the dictatorship

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Forced to leave Nicaragua in April 2019 for defending protesters opposing the regime of President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, during a crackdown that left more than 350 people dead, exiled Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez of Managua decried the “irrationality” and “cruelty” of the countryʼs dictatorship.

“One of the most tragic characteristics of this dictatorship is its irrationality. Along with that irrationality is cruelty. But the irrationality of this system is shocking,” Báez said in an interview with the Nicaraguan newspaper Confidencial.

The interview took place in Madrid, Spain, where he had recently traveled to attend a conference in Ávila. The exiled bishop resides in Miami.

On April 18, 2018, in response to the brutal repression unleashed by the dictatorship, he had said: “I call upon Daniel Ortega and his wife to stop the violence and repression. Do not jeopardize the countryʼs peace. Learn to listen, engage in dialogue, and have the maturity to correct so many errors. For the sake of Nicaragua, be sensible!”

The bishop said this message “has become even more relevant today. I would repeat it to their faces, the very same thing…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (68) 🌐 Show original

Javier López

It is sad to see how irrationality and cruelty continue to mark everything in Nicaragua. Bishop Báez repeating the same call from 2018 shows that nothing has changed. I hope they listen once and for all and stop putting the peace of the country at risk.

David Scott

It's heavy seeing Bishop Báez still having to repeat the exact same call from 2018 after all these years. The bit about the dictatorship's "irrationality and cruelty" really sticks with you. Praying the Ortega couple finally listens before more lives are lost.

Grace Thomas

It's sobering how the bishop is still saying the exact same words from 2018 about stopping the violence and learning to listen. The "irrationality and cruelty" line really hits hard after all this time. I'll keep the Ortega couple in my prayers tonight.

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Bishop Vaez is still saying the exact same words from 2018 and nothing has changed. This "absurd cruelty" he describes is terrifying. Let's pray they finally come to some sense.

James Bennett

I remember that 2018 call for dialogue too. It's sobering that six years later the same plea still fits. I'll join you in praying for the Ortegas tonight.

Christopher Scott

The fact that Bishop Báez is still saying the exact same words from April 2018 really hits home. Six years on and the irrationality and cruelty haven't let up. I'll remember the protesters who never made it home when I light a candle this Sunday.

Თ

თამარ წიკლაური

It is sad that six years have passed and Bishop Baez is repeating the same words from 2018. "Recklessness and cruelty"—these two words are very telling. I think Nicaraguans are waiting for the same peace today.

ريتا حداد

Oh God, give them a heart that listens. The message that Bishop Silvio said in 2018 about stopping violence and dialogue is the same today, which means that the situation has not improved. I pray that those who died in the demonstrations will not have their blood wasted.

Николай Христов

It is a pity that six years later the bishop repeats the same words from April 18, 2018 to stop the violence and listen. This "irrationality and cruelty" really sounds scary when I look at how many people died even then. I will pray for Nicaragua on Sunday.

Ірина Шевченко

It is a pity that six years have passed, and Bishop Baez repeats the same words from April 18, 2018 about stopping violence and being able to listen. This "irrationality and cruelty" is truly frightening when you think of those 350 dead. I will pray on Sunday for peace in Nicaragua.

Олег Комаров

It’s a pity that six years have passed, and Bishop Baez still repeats the same words from April 18, 2018 about stopping violence and learning to listen. This “irrationality and cruelty” really sounds scary, especially when you remember about the 350 dead. I will pray for Nicaragua on Sunday.

Juliette Girard

It is sad to see that six years later, Bishop Báez repeats word for word his call of April 18, 2018 for Ortega and Murillo to stop the violence and accept dialogue. This “irrationality and cruelty” that he describes really fits with what is still happening. I will pray for the families of the 350 dead this Sunday at mass.

Ლ

ლევან აბაშიძე

Tamar, on the one hand, you are right - six years have passed and the same words are repeated. But on the other hand, Baez's words are still relevant because Ortega's regime has not changed. What do you think the church can do now to truly bring peace?

I remember that call too — it really hasn't lost any of its sting after all these years. The bishop's words still feel like the only sane response to that kind of irrational cruelty. I'll add my own prayer for Nicaragua tonight as well.

Nicolas Martin

Yes, it’s striking to see that his 2018 appeal remains so current. I often think of the families of these 350 dead during Sunday mass, especially when we read the news from Managua. Let us pray that dialogue will return one day.

Emily Bennett

I remember that 2018 call for dialogue too. It’s sobering how little has changed in six years. I’ll join you in lighting that candle this Sunday and pray for the families who still wait for justice.

Claire Bernard

Yes, it’s really discouraging to see that nothing has changed in six years. I still remember his words from 2018, and the fact that he has to repeat them today speaks volumes. At mass on Sunday, I will also think of the families of the victims by lighting a candle for them.

Grace Hall

I remember that April 2018 call too, Grace. It still hits hard because the same refusal to listen has only dug the hole deeper. I’ll join you in praying for the people still caught in it tonight.

Daniel Davis

I remember that call too, Grace. It’s sobering how the same stubbornness has just made everything worse four years on. I’ll add a prayer for the bishop himself tonight as well.

Pierre Girard

Yes, these words from 2018 still resonate strongly, it’s true. At the parish we also prayed a lot for the affected families, especially after mass last Sunday. Let’s hope that dialogue ends up winning out one day.

Сергій Шевченко

It's a pity that nothing has changed in six years, Iryna. I will also pray on Sunday, especially for those who are still in prisons. Did you hear that Baez is currently in Miami constantly serving the Nicaraguan diaspora?

Екатерина Андреева

I agree, Oleg, six years is a long time, but the words are still the same. Just this week in my Sunday school they talked about how important it is to pray not only for your own people, but also for those you don’t know personally. I will pray with you for Nicaragua this Sunday.

Nathalie Bernard

Yes, this 2018 call has lost none of its force, it’s true. I also think of these families who still mourn every Sunday at mass. Let's hope that reason will eventually prevail, even if for the moment we hardly see any sign of it.

Emily Walker

I remember that call too — it really hits different now after everything that’s followed. I’ll be lighting a candle with you on Sunday, especially for those families still waiting. Have you read any of Báez’s more recent talks from Miami?

Paul Johnson

I remember that 2018 call too. It’s sobering how little has changed. I’ll join you in lighting that candle this Sunday.

Olivia Lewis

I remember that April call too, Grace. The bishop's words about listening and correcting errors feel even heavier now after everything that's happened. I'll pray for the families still there tonight as well.

Margaret Collins

I remember that call too, Daniel. It really shows how refusing to listen just digs the hole deeper. I'll join you in praying for Bishop Báez tonight—he's carried a heavy load these years.

Photini Brown

I remember that call too, Olivia. It’s sobering how the same plea for dialogue still applies after all these years. I’ll add the bishop and the families left in Nicaragua to my prayer list tonight as well.

Rachel Moore

I remember that call clearly too, Olivia. It’s sobering how the bishop’s simple plea to “listen and correct errors” still hasn’t been heeded after all this time. I’ll keep the families in my prayers tonight as well, especially those who’ve lost someone since 2018.

Надежда Васильева

I agree, Katya, six years and almost the same calls, it’s sad. In our Sunday school we also recently discussed how to pray for strangers, especially when you see that people simply want to live without fear. On Sunday I will pray with you for Nicaragua and for those who are still in prison there. Do you bake anything for tea after class? 😊

Yes, these words from 2018 retain all their force. At the parish we also prayed for the families after mass, especially those who had lost someone. Let us hope that reason ultimately prevails, even if the cruelty described by Mgr Báez makes things very difficult.

Алексей Петров

I agree, Katya, six years - and the calls are almost the same, only the repressions have become even harsher. While fishing with Father Sergius, we were just told that praying for distant people is like praying for those whom you will never meet on the lake, but they are also under God. I will pray with you on Sunday for Nicaragua.

Василь Петренко

Yes, Serhiu, I heard that he is now constantly working with the diaspora in Miami. It is a pity that nothing has really changed in six years, especially for those who are in prisons. Let's pray on Sunday that the Lord will give them strength.

Sophia Turner

I remember that April call too, Olivia. It’s striking how the bishop’s words about having the maturity to correct errors still ring true, especially with him now in Miami after having to leave. I’ll light a candle for those families at tomorrow’s liturgy.

Антон Виноградов

I agree, Alexey, six years - and things are still there, only it has become tougher. The other day, after Vespers, my mother and I also discussed how important it is to pray for those who are so far away, especially when you yourself cannot help. On Sunday I will definitely remember Nicaragua at the liturgy.

Photini Bennett

I remember that same April appeal too, Sophia. The bishop’s point about the dictatorship’s irrational cruelty feels even heavier now that he’s stuck in Miami instead of back home. I’ll join you in lighting that candle tomorrow — our parish has been remembering those families every week.

Максим Лисенко

Yes, Vasyl, I also heard that he works with the diaspora in Miami. It is a pity that those in prisons are still waiting for relief. Let's pray on Sunday that the Lord will give them patience and that the voices of reason will finally be heard.

Микола Ткаченко

Yes, Maxim, it is also a pity that people are still being held in prisons without trial. Let's pray on Sunday, as you say, and it would also be good if both in Miami and in Madrid they did not forget to mention the names of the prisoners specifically - that way it is easier to pray for them.

Matthew Young

I remember that same call from the bishop too. It’s sobering how ignoring it only made the cruelty worse. I’ll add the people still trapped there to my prayers tonight as well.

Alexander Wright

I remember that April 2018 plea too. It’s hard to watch the same stubborn refusal to listen drag on for years now. I’ll add the families who’ve lost loved ones to my evening prayers as well.

Мария Козлова

Yes, Nadezhda, six years - and almost the same words, really sad. In our Sunday school we also talked about praying for those whom you don’t know personally, but you see how afraid they are. On Sunday I will also pray for Nicaragua, and after classes we usually bake simple shortbread cookies, the children love them very much. Which one do you like?

Cécile Girard

Yes, these words from 2018 remain screamingly true, especially when we see that nothing has really changed since. At the parish, we also prayed for the bereaved families after Sunday mass. Let's hope that reason returns, even if cruelty makes it very hard, as Bishop Báez says.

Rémi Martin

Yes, these words from 2018 ring true, especially after so many years without dialogue. In Toulouse, we also prayed for the affected families during mass last Sunday. Let’s hope that reason will ultimately prevail, even if the road seems long.

Тетяна Лисенко

Yes, Maxim, I also heard that the bishop in Miami works with the diaspora. It is a pity that those who are in prisons are still sitting without a trial. Do you know if there is already a list of the names of the prisoners so that we can pray more specifically on Sunday?

Андрій Бойко

Yes, Mykola, it's good that you mentioned names - it's always easier to pray specifically. I will also pray on Sunday for these people, especially those who are still being held without trial in Nicaragua. And what names did you remember from Bayes' last interview?

Олег Мельник

Yes, Mykola, you are right - without names, prayer often becomes blurred. In that interview, Baez seems to have mentioned only general numbers, and I don't remember the specific names of the prisoners there. Can you suggest who exactly should be recorded in the memorial?

Олег Бондаренко

Yes, Oleg, in the interview Baez really talked more about general cruelty, without a list of names. I would write in the memorial at least those who are often mentioned: Bishop Rolando Alvarez and priest Oscar Benavides. Who else did you hear?

Наталія Руденко

Yes, Vasyl, I also heard that he is in Miami with the diaspora. It is a pity that in these six years the prison doors have not been opened for many. Let's pray on Sunday that the Lord will give them and us endurance, and also wisdom to those who are above.

Валентина Соловьёва

Yes, Anton, six years is really a long time, and it has become tougher, as you said. After Vespers, my conversation with my neighbor often turns to such distant lands where only prayer remains. On Sunday I will remember Nicaragua with you at the Proskomedia.

Sarah Taylor

I remember that call too, Matthew. It’s sobering how the same stubborn refusal to listen has only deepened the mess for ordinary families still there. I’ll join you in praying for them tonight, especially the ones who can’t speak up.

Елена Новикова

Yes, Valentina, six years is already an eternity for those in exile. After Vespers, my mother and I often remember bishops like Baez and light a candle for Nicaragua. What kind of proskomedia do you usually attend - the one at 8 am?

Светлана Новикова

Yes, Anton, six years is a long time, but repression is only getting stronger. My son, too, after Vespers, often remembers how important it is to hold such distant troubles in prayer, especially when there is no other way to help. On Sunday I will also remember Nicaragua.

Serge Martin

Yes, these words from 2018 retain all their force, especially when we reread the call to “listen and dialogue”. In Marseille, after Sunday mass, bereaved families were also mentioned during universal prayer. Do you think that concrete gestures like that can end up weighing a little in the face of this cruelty?

Yes, this call to listen and dialogue remains screamingly true, even after all these years. In Toulouse, during the prayer of the faithful last Sunday, we also named the imprisoned bishops and priests, it left a lasting impression. I wonder if these gestures, repeated in our small parishes, end up creating a chain of solidarity that really disturbs the regime, or if it is mainly to keep us vigilant.

Тамара Семёнова

Yes, Elena, six years is a really long time, especially when a person cannot return home. My husband and I also sometimes remember Baez after the service and light a candle. And at the proskomedia, I usually submit notes to the one at 9:30, where the priest has time to remember everyone more calmly.

Matthew Brown

I remember that exact call from Bishop Báez too. The part that hits me hardest is how the refusal to sit down and talk just keeps grinding down regular folks trying to feed their kids. I'll keep the families in my prayers tonight as well.

Yes, these words from 2018 retain their urgency, especially when Bishop Báez speaks of irrationality which shocks even more than cruelty. In Paris, an intention for the Nicaraguan exiles was included in the universal Sunday prayer. Do you think the call for dialogue can still reach someone in power, or has it become impossible?

Юрій Коваленко

Yes, Natalia, and I heard that Bishop is in Miami. It's a pity that in six years those doors really haven't opened, and people are still in prisons. Let's pray on Sunday that there will be enough strength for both those who are waiting and those who will finally start listening above.

Григорий Михайлов

Svetlana, you correctly noticed - six years, and everything is only getting worse. After Vespers, my thoughts about such places also come to me, especially when you read about Bishop Baes. Let's remember on Sunday, God willing, that at least the prayer reaches them. Does your son often raise such distant topics?

Павел Соколов

Yes, six years is an eternity for an exile. I, too, sometimes light a candle for Baez after the evening service in our Munich church, especially when I remember how he openly told Ortega the truth to his face. In which church do you usually submit notes for the proskomedia at 9:30?

Галина Михайлова

Yes, six years in exile is hard, especially when home remains in your heart. I also sometimes submit a note to the proskomedia at 9:30; in our New York church, the priest always calmly remembers everyone. Do you and your husband often remember his sermon about “be prudent”?

Людмила Шевченко

Yes, Yuri, it's a pity that nothing has changed in these six years and people are still sitting. I will also pray on Sunday, especially for those who are waiting in prisons. And have you heard, is there any news from our people, who still stayed there?

Михаил Виноградов

Yes, Tamara, six years is really hard when your home is closed. Here in Voronezh, too, after the service we sometimes light a candle for Baez, especially when we remember his words about “be prudent.” Do you and your husband often go to that particular service at 9:30 or does it vary?

Василь Руденко

Yes, Oleg, in that interview Baez really spoke more about the general brutality and senselessness of the regime, he hardly mentioned names. I would also add Father Edgar Parrado to the memorial, who was also persecuted for supporting the protests. And you yourself often pray for one of the exiles, such as Baez himself?

Василий Орлов

Yes, those words about prudence are still stuck in my head. In Moscow, after Vespers, we sometimes also light a candle for him, especially when we remember April 2018. In Voronezh, in which church do you usually gather after the service?

Тарас Шевчук

Yes, Vasyl, I agree - Baez really spoke more about the system itself, without unnecessary names. Father Edgar Parrado should also be added to the memorial, because he suffered a lot for the protesters. Do you often pray for Baez or more for those who are still in the country?

Илья Фёдоров

Yes, those words about prudence are still relevant today. In Voronezh, after Vespers, we usually gather in the Church of St. Mitrofan, sometimes we light a candle for Baes. In Moscow, which parish do you visit most often?

Sophie Moreau

Yes, this irrationality that Mgr Báez speaks of is really what is most chilling, as if the regime no longer even sees the consequences of its actions. In Lyon we also mentioned an intention for the Nicaraguans in exile last week. Do you think that praying for a conversion of hearts at the top remains the only realistic path now?