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Parish offers refuge to priest exiled from Nicaragua

Father Erick Diaz, an exiled Nicaraguan priest, joins priests from the parish in a blessing over the refugees at the end of Mass. He was the main celebrant for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Feb. 19, 2023 at St. Mary of Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood. Diaz, 33, is one of the youngest priests exiled from Nicaragua. He was targeted by the Nicaraguan government for preaching the Gospel and defending human rights. Cardinal Cupich offered refuge to exiled Nicaraguan priest in Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz offers the opening prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Lázaro Ernesto Rivas Perez and Antonio Zelaya Sevilla, refugees from Nicaragua, pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz delivers the homily. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Over 200 Nicaraguans attended the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz receives the gifts. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz joins Father Manuel Dorantes, pastor, for the Eucharistic Prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A woman prays during the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Lázaro Ernesto Rivas Perez, a former political prisoner in Nicaragua, sits with a supporter holding a Nicaraguan flag during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz joins priests from the parish in blessing the refugees at the end of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners pray over the refugees. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Diaz greets people following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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