AMERICA / NICARAGUA - The Apostolic Nuncio leaves the country, "incomprehensible measure"

Vatican City - According to a statement dated Saturday March 13th by "the Press Office of the Holy See, the Nicaraguan government has decided to withdraw the approval of Archbishop Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Apostolic Nuncio in Managua since 2018, that requires him to leave the country immediately after the notification of the measure. Such a measure seems incomprehensible because in the course of his mission Archbishop Sommertag worked with profound dedication for the good of the Church and the Nicaraguan people, especially the most vulnerable, always seeking to foster good relations between the Apostolic See and the authorities of Nicaragua. In particular, his participation as a witness and accompanying the national dialogue between the government and the political opposition, with a view to reconciliation in the country and the release of political prisoners. While the Holy See is convinced that such a grave and unjustified unilateral measure does not reflect the feelings of the deeply Christian people of Nicaragua, it wishes to reaffirm its full confidence in the papal representative".
In a statement dated March 9, the Nicaraguan Bishops' Conference said it had been informed by the nunciature's chargé d'affaires that Archbishop Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag left Nicaragua for Rome on March 6. "As the Bishops' Conference of Nicaragua, we reaffirm our adherence and closeness to Pope Francis and thank the Nuncio, who has always accompanied us in our pastoral work, making the Magisterium and the person of the Pope present", said the Bishops . With regard to the accreditation of the Nuncio to the Government, the note highlights that "this is an exclusive bilateral competence of the Holy See and the Government of Nicaragua" for which, respecting the competences, the Bishops' Conference "refrains from ruling on this issue". Finally, the Bishops entrust themselves to the intercession of the Virgin of Fatima, who will be a pilgrim of peace in the Archdiocese of Managua next May. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 14/3/2022)

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