AMERICA/NICARAGUA – The Bishops on Law 779: the reform is urgent, the Church is not the auxiliary of the police

Managua (Agenzia Fides) - His Exc. Mgr. César Bosco Vivas Robelo, Bishop of Leon, Vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN), said that the Sandinista legislator Edwin Castro, chief representative of the ruling party in the current legislature, acknowledged that the Church will not be forced to intervene in family conflicts as an auxiliary of the National Police, according to what is established by law 779, which was approved last July by President Ortega, without consulting the Church.
This law, "Comprehensive Law against Violence toward Women", officially recognizes that the religious pastoral Commissions take on the role of auxiliaries of the "Commissaries of Women" (local representatives of the Ministry of Women) and therefore the national police, and are therefore called upon to intervene when it comes to the adoption of precautionary measures.
"Castro explained to me that the Church has never been forced - said Mgr. Bosco in the note sent to Fides after the meeting with the politician - and made it clear that the government has told its members to safeguard the family.
He also agreed that we Bishops have the right to exercise our ministry with respect, and in no way do they want to create any kind of friction with the Church, much less interfere with the doctrine". Msg. Bosco Vivas, who is also the Head of the Family Pastoral of CEN, adds that this law in practice puts "a kind of straitjacket" to the Church and concluded by saying that, however, there is the willingness of both parties to reform the law. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 17/09/2014)