Photos

Exiled Nicaraguan bishop: ‘Brotherhood, peace and justice for all’

Bishop Silvio Báez, exiled auxiliary bishop of Managua, Nicaragua, was the main celebrant and homilist for a Mass at the St. Mary of the Lake Church worship site, 4220 N. Sheridan Road, of St. Mary of the Lake Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on May 7, 2023. This was his first pastoral visit to the Midwest. Bishop Báez, an outspoken critic of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, sought refuge in the United States in 2019 after warned by the U.S. government that he was the target of an assassination plot. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Women wearing Nicaraguan shirts and jerseys hold their home country's flag with a rosary during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez incenses the altar. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A young man kneels in prayer during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez delivers his homily. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez is joined by priests in the celebration of the Eucharist. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez celebrates the Eucharist. Parish pastor Father Manuel Dorantes stands beside him. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Native Nicaraguans filled the church and aisles for the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A woman dressed in a Nicaragua baseball jersey and blue cape prays during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez kisses the head of a girl who helped bring up the gifts during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The bishop holds up a personalized Chicago Cubs' jersey that he received from the congregation. The church is located close to Wrigley Field. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Participants dress in their country's colors and wave the national flag during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez embraces a participant as he makes his way up the aisle at the end of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez shakes hands with people as he leaves the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Báez speaks with a woman following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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