The pope’s call was echoed by U.S. authorities. On Jan. 2, Matthew Miller, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, demanded that the Nicaraguan dictatorship “immediately and unconditionally release Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who has been unjustly detained for 500 days.”
“Freedom of belief is a human right. The continued detention of Álvarez is inadmissible,” Miller said.
In the United States, prominent voices such as Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, a Catholic, also kept the spotlight on the treatment of Álvarez. In a congressional hearing held on Nov. 30, 2023, Smith assured that “Bishop Álvarez is an innocent man who endures unspeakable suffering. His life and ministry have been an inspiring example of compassion, kindness, integrity, and selfless service.”
List of released bishops, priests, and seminarians
After the dissemination of an initial list through local media, the Ortega dictatorship published the definitive list of released bishops, priests and seminarians:
1. His Excellency Rolando Alvarez, bishop of Matagalpa
2. His Excellency Isidoro Mora, bishop of Siuna
3 Father Oscar José Escoto Saigado, vicar general of the Diocese of Matagalpa
4. Father Jader Danilo Guido Acosta, third vicar of the cathedral of Matagalpa
5. Father Pablo Antonio Villafranca Martinez, priest of the Archdiocese of Managua
6. Father Carlos Avilés Cantón, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Managua
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
7. Father Héctor Del Carmen Treminio Vega, priest of the Archdiocese of Managua
8. Father Marcos Francisco Díaz Prado, priest of the Diocese of León
9. Father Fernando Isaías Calero Rodríguez, priest of the Diocese of Matagalpa
10. Father Silvio José Fonseca Martínez, vicar of family, children, and youth, Archdiocese of Managua
11. Father Mikel Salvador Monterrey Arias, priest of the Archdiocese of Managua
12. Father Raúl Antonio Zamora Guerra, priest of the Archdiocese of Managua