The Central American Province of the Society of Jesus has spoken out, condemning the Nicaraguan authorities’ decision to freeze the bank accounts and confiscate all assets of the Jesuit-run Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Managua.
In its statement published in Spanish on 16 August, the Jesuit province described the seizure of UCA as “the price to pay for the search for a more just society, to protect the life, the truth, and the freedom of the Nicaraguan people”.
The government has accused UCA of being a “centre of terrorism”. The University and the Jesuits have refuted the accusation, calling it unfounded and completely false.
“This new government aggression against the university is not an isolated event; it is part of a series of unjustified attacks against the Nicaraguan population and other educational and social institutions of civil society that are generating a climate of violence and insecurity and exacerbating the socio-political crisis in the country,” the Jesuits in Central America said in their statement.
UCA was at the forefront of denouncing the injustices and violence during anti-government protests in 2018, which resulted in fatalities, including the tragic killing of a Jesuit high school student. The university’s stance in defence of the lives of individuals who were being suppressed by state and paramilitary forces has caused it to be subjected to constant siege, harassment, and intimidation by Nicaraguan government institutions, the Jesuits said.
The Central American Jesuit Province is urging for “a rational solution in which truth, justice, dialogue, and the defence of academic freedom prevail”. They also reiterated the commitment of the Society of Jesus to inclusive, quality education inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, has expressed his support for the Central American Jesuits and the UCA, saying: “I join in calling for this judicial measure against the UCA to be reversed and corrected, for the government’s aggression against it and its members to cease, and for paths of dialogue to be opened on the basis of truth, freedom and the right to quality education for young people and for all the people of Nicaragua.”
Read Father General’s message here.
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