"Nicaragua's Catholic Church Crackdown Sparks Fear at Home and Abroad"

The crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua by President Daniel Ortega's government has led to the expulsion of priests, harassment, church desecrations, and fear among the faithful. The pervasive fear has silenced criticism of the authoritarian government, with priests and laypeople fearing reprisals for speaking out. The government's targeting of the church is seen as an attempt to quash opposition and silence a respected voice in the country. The repression has deeply affected both the spiritual and material aspects of the population, with significant gaps in social services and restrictions on religious practices. Despite ongoing fear, many faithful continue to attend church services, while exiled activists and clergy call for continued international attention and protest against the repression.