It is not easy to be a priest these days.
Our Carmelite Bishop, Bishop Silvio José Báez, O.C.D. was attacked today in the Basilica of St Sebastian in the town of Diriamba, along with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, and the Archbishop of Managua, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes. Journalists who were present for the pastoral visit by the bishops also were attacked by pro-Ortega mobsters and paramilitary forces in the church.
Bishop Báez was wounded by a sharp object on his right arm; he was punched or kicked in the stomach; he was verbally abused; and, his episcopal insignia were stolen.
Bishop Báez, in his initial tweet after the attack wrote, “Thanks be to God, I’m fine.” He shared photos of his wounds. Later this evening, he shared a photo of himself and Cardinal Brenes praying in the Cathedral of Managua after they had returned from Diaramba. His message was simple: “What matters least is what they did to us today, the blows & the wound that I suffered. What our people suffer is much more serious; today more than ever the Church will be at the side of the people, those who have no voice, those who don’t have the strength to ask for help.”
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“This is the Lord’s most powerful message: mercy.” – Pope Francis