Prince of Peace Parish

Lima Newsroom, Dec 3, 2024 / 16:05 pm (CNA).

Catholics exiled from Nicaragua are expressing their gratitude for the recent letter of encouragement Pope Francis sent to the persecuted Church in the Central American country.  

“In the midst of this wave of repression and religious persecution unprecedented in our history, his words of encouragement are a balm for our spirit and a reminder of the transforming power of faith and hope,” said Félix Maradiaga in an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

Maradiaga, a former presidential candidate and former political prisoner, added that “the Holy Father’s closeness to us as a pastor reaffirms our trust in divine providence, even when we face trials and challenges that seem insurmountable.”

For Martha Patricia Molina, a researcher whose reports have documented hundreds of attacks by the Nicaraguan dictatorship against the Catholic Church in the country in recent years, Pope Francis’ letter shows that “he follows up and pays attention to the serious situation facing Nicaragua.”

“At this time, anything written by the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference would be a reason for the Sandinista dictatorship to continue deporting bishops, and Pope Francis knows that,” Molina said. “I feel that’s why he sent us this beautiful message.”

“Our people are Marian, and during these days we are praying the novena to the Immaculate Conception. Receiving this pastoral letter from Pope Francis during this special time is a gift from God,” she added.

Industrial mechanic Pedro Gutiérrez, who was deported to Guatemala in September, told the Spanish-language edition of EWTN News that Nicaraguans and many other people in the world as well would like Pope Francis to take a tougher approach to the dictatorship, given the crimes that have been committed against the country’s Catholics.

After comparing Pope Francis to St. John Paul II, who “confronted dictators, great tyrants,” Gutiérrez called on the pontiff “not to remain silent about the injustices that these criminals are committing against the Catholic Church itself.”

“We would like a Pope Francis who defends the Catholic Church, who stands up for the Catholic Church,” he emphasized.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

CNA Staff, Dec 3, 2024 / 15:35 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December is for pilgrims of hope.

“Christian hope is a gift from God that fills our lives with joy. And today, we need it a lot. The world really needs it a lot,” the Holy Father said in a video released Dec. 3.

Pope Francis pointed out that “when you don’t know if you’ll be able to feed your children tomorrow, or if what you’re studying will allow you to get a good job, it’s easy to get discouraged.”

“Where can we look for hope?” he asked.

“Hope is an anchor — an anchor that you cast over with a rope to be moored on the shore. We have to hold onto the rope of hope. Hold on tight.”

He encouraged the faithful to “help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life, and let’s set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life. And entering into the upcoming jubilee is the next stage within that life.”

“Day by day, let us fill our lives with the gift of hope that God gives us, and through us, let us allow it to reach everyone who is looking for it,” he said. “Don’t forget — hope never disappoints.”

He concluded with a prayer: “Let us pray that this upcoming jubilee strengthens us in our faith, helping us to recognize the risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.”

Pope Francis’ prayer video is promoted by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which raises awareness of monthly papal prayer intentions.

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