Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Managua (Agenzia Fides) - On the eve of the march scheduled for today, December 10, against the construction of the Interoceanic Canal between the Pacific and the Atlantic, which would expel thousands of farmers from their land, causing serious damage to the environment (see Fides 17/11/2014; 24/11/2014; 25/11/2014), representatives of the local Church and government officials met at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN).
Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Archbishop of Managua, President of CEN said, according to the note sent to Agenzia Fides from a local source: "we Bishops have only listened to technical explanations" and therefore "there will be another meeting for further information" on the megaproject. The meeting, which lasted more than three hours, was held in fact to present the project of the Canal to the Bishops.
The meeting was also attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, and representatives of the Hong Kong Nicaragua Development (HKND), who will carry out the work.
The Secretary General of CEN, His Exc. Mgr. Jorge Solorzano, Bishop of Granada, one of the dioceses directly involved in the works for the construction of the canal, reiterated the demand for transparency in the work, and at the end of the meeting said: "We have asked you to give ear to the people". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2014)
