politics
May 10, 2026
Nicaraguan Priest in Exile Ordained in Miami Amid Persecution of the Church
Nicaraguan religious Cristhian David Mendieta was ordained a priest on May 9th at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami, in a ceremony presided over by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. His ordination occurs amid the forced exile of hundreds of religious figures who have left Nicaragua due to persecution against the Catholic Church under the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
TL;DR
- Cristhian David Mendieta, a Nicaraguan religious in exile, was ordained a priest on May 9th at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami.
- The ceremony was led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski and occurred amid the forced exile of hundreds of religious figures from Nicaragua due to persecution by the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime.
- A report indicates over 300 priests and religious have been forced to leave Nicaragua, with reasons including exile, expulsion, and threats of death or imprisonment.
- The mass exodus of priests has directly impacted pastoral life in Nicaraguan parishes.