Nicaragua Catholic Church Members Protest After Daniel Ortega's Government Banned Processions

Members of the Nicaragua Catholic Church have gathered for a huge protest in the nation's city capital, Managua, after President Daniel Ortega's administration has prohibited the religious processions in the country.

Al Jazeera reported that a well-known priest was confined. He was known for being critical of Ortega's government.

Before the protest in Nicaragua's Managua, the Vatican reacted over the recent actions against the Catholic Church in Latin America for the first time.

Church leaders encouraged church-goers to attend the mass. It was after the National Police had banned a planned procession throughout the city.

The law enforcement officials cited "internal security" as the reason behind prohibiting the planned processions.

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes noted church-goers had gathered "with a lot of happiness," and a lot of sadness.

Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz voiced his concerns during a special session of the Organization of the American States, in which Cruz is the Vatican's permanent observer.

He then called for looking above all "for the common good and peace."

Nicaragua Catholic Church Not Allowed Religious Procession

The Managua Archdiocese noted in a statement that they were advised by the National Police that the religious procession is not permitted, citing internal security issues, according to New Delhi Times report.

Before the ban on religious processions, the government announced Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Alvarez was under investigation for allegedly promoting hate and inciting violence.

Meanwhile, police had surrounded the compound where the Catholic church was located.

Before the religious procession was banned, police have not allowed large public gatherings in the country.

The only public gatherings allowed in Nicaragua are those sponsored by the government. It was implemented in September 2018.

Ortega's government was known to prosecute and detain those expressing opposition against him.

One of the last radio stations critical of the Nicaraguan president was closed. It was Radio Dario, which was shut down on Friday.

Daniel Ortega's Government

In the beginning of August, Nicaragua police announced that they started the investigation against Alvarez.

Alvarez was accused of "organizing violent groups," as well as trying to spread hate against the population, as reported by ABC News Go.

A number of people would be included in the investigation and would not be allowed to leave their homes while the probe was ongoing, according to a police statement.

The bishop was inside his residence and police surrounded the area. The law enforcement agents also hindered him from going to the cathedral, which pushed him to celebrate Mass from home.

Alvarez was also accused of creating a "media circus" to prompt violence and disorder, according to congressional leader Wilfredo Navarro. Navarro is also a member of Ortega's Sandinista National Liberation Front party.

Ortega's government closed eight radio stations and a television station in Matagalpa, just last week alone. Seven of those radio stations were run by the Catholic Church.

It was not the first time that Ortega has moved against those opposing him.

Associated Press News noted that Ortega's government had breached in the headquarters of Confidencial, which is a newspaper led by Carlos Fernando Chamorro, in 2018. Chamorro was considered to be one of the most well-known critics of the Nicaraguan president.

In addition, Ortega had imprisoned other presidential candidates running against him in 2021.

READ MORE: Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega's Critic Edgard Paralles Picked Up by Two People Not in Police Uniform and Was Detained

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Nicaragua accused of cracking down on Catholic groups - from Al Jazeera English