During a 6 July 1999 a representative of Radio Católica in Managua stated that Msgr. Zenon Corrales was until recently the director of Radio Hermanos in Matagalpa, a religious station and sister organization of Radio Católica. The representative added that Msgr. Corrales was recently replaced as director of the radio station by a disciple of his, Father Carlos Velazquez.

A senior staff member of Radio Hermanos stated during a 6 July 1999 telephone interview that the program "Jesús Quiere Sanarte" (Jesus Wants to Heal You or Jesus Wants to Cure You) is a local program broadcast live from the Capilla del Santísimo (Chapel of the Holy Saint) of the Matagalpa Cathedral, Monday to Friday, between 9 and 10 in the morning. The broadcast could be described as mostly a prayer program, in which the conducting priest and others present at the chapel pray for the sick or others in need. The program was directed by Father (Msgr.) Zenon Corrales until December 1998, and ceased broadcasting for approximately a month and a half after Father Corrales left. In December 1998 Father Corrales stopped working at the radio and was removed from the archdiocese as a precaution, as rape allegations against him produced a scandal that caused great commotion in Matagalpa. Father (Msgr.) Carlos Velazquez replaced Father Corrales as director of the radio station, and after the month and a half that Jesús Quiere Sanarte was off the air, the program began broadcasting again under the direction of Father Velazquez.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.

Radio Católica, Managua. 6 July 1999. Telephone interview with managing director.

Radio Hermanos, Matagalpa. 6 July 1999. Telephone interview with station manager.

El Nuevo Diario [Managua]. Internet search engine. June 1997-1999.

Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. Nov. 1998-June 1999.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Internet, Global NewsBank, WNC.

Note:

This list is not exhaustive. Country-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.