“In this work, I propose to systematize in order to show and contribute to the political, cultural, and social history of Nicaragua facing future and current upcoming generations so as to not forget the events and decisions” of the parties involved and for the purpose of “turning the study into a collection of human lessons and social and political experiences so that we don’t repeat the present mistakes,” Molina explained in the document.
The report details that in 2018 the Catholic Church in Nicaragua suffered 84 attacks, 80 in 2019, 59 in 2020, 55 in 2021, 161 in 2022 — the highest number in the last five years — and 90 in just the first four months of this year.
The attacks by the dictatorship include unjustly sentencing Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years and four months in prison, expelling 32 religious from the country, confiscating seven Church-owned buildings, and shutting down various media.
Molina, who holds a master’s degree in corruption and rule of law, explained that “this report outlines a meticulous study of each hostile action carried out” and that all of the data has been verified.
The purpose of this report “is to show in concrete figures the attacks and onslaughts suffered by the Catholic Church in Nicaragua,” the specialist said.
The report is divided into four chapters that present the hostilities against the Catholic Church from April 2018 to so far in 2023. The attacks include the prohibition of 176 processions during last Holy Week; the systematization of hostilities; and a chronology of desecrations, sacrileges, assaults, robberies, and attacks against the Church.