Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos

The Latest

Pope Francis prays in St. Peter's Square on March 8, 2023.

Pope Francis says imprisonment of Nicaraguan bishop reminds him of Hitler’s dictatorship

Mar 10, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis also speaks about Russia's “imperial” agenda, his thoughts on retirement, and Benedict XVI's funeral in a new round... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Whereabouts of imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop are unknown

Mar 8, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

“We know that no one who is in the conditions which the bishop is in can be well,” Nicaraguan lawyer... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

UN calls on Nicaragua to free Bishop Álvarez and other political prisoners

Mar 7, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the Nicaraguan dictatorship to release Bishop... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Aid to the Church in Need ‘greatly concerned’ about Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to prison

Mar 3, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need expressed its concern for the situation of the Church in Nicaragua... Read more

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Nicaraguan bishop responds to insults by Daniel Ortega, calling him ‘corrupt and criminal’

Feb 24, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Silvio Báez, the exiled auxiliary bishop of Managua living in the United States, responded Tuesday to the most recent insults... Read more

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Cuban bishops ask the faithful to pray for the Church in Nicaragua on Ash Wednesday

Feb 22, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

“In fraternal communion with our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters, we invite the Cuban Catholic faithful to pray for that suffering... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

As Catholics welcome Nicaraguan exiles, leading U.S. bishop calls for restoration of human rights

Feb 21, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic organizations in the U.S. have quickly mobilized to welcome political exiles from Nicaragua, but more must be done, Archbishop... Read more

Demonstration outside the Nicaraguan embassy in Mexico.

Petition demanding release of Nicaraguan bishop delivered to embassy in Mexico City

Feb 21, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

The petition with more than 11,000 signatures was delivered to the Nicaraguan embassy in Mexico City and demands the release... Read more

Father Cosimo Damiano Muratori.

Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua expels Italian priest from the country

Feb 17, 2023

By CNA Staff

Father Cosimo Damiano Muratori was expelled after he called the 26 years and four months prison sentence for Bishop Rolando... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, is monitored by police in early August 2022.

Imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop deserves US support, religious freedom advocates say

Feb 14, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

“This miscarriage of justice will not be forgotten,” USCIRF Commissioner Frederick A. Davie said Feb. 14. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Latin American bishops pray for Nicaraguan Bishop Álvarez at cathedral where St. Oscar Romero is buried

Feb 14, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Romero was an outspoken critic of political injustice in the country and of the violence affecting the lives of ordinary... Read more

Pope Francis (left); Bishop Rolando Álvarez (right)

Pope Francis asks Virgin Mary to intercede for Nicaragua after bishop sentenced to 26 years in prison

Feb 12, 2023

By Courtney Mares

“The news from Nicaragua has grieved me a great deal,” the pope said. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Nicaragua’s dictatorship sentences Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years in prison

Feb 10, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The Ortega regime sentenced the bishop on Friday, Feb. 10, to 26 years and four months in prison, accusing him... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Why persecuted Nicaragua bishop turned down the chance to leave the country

Feb 10, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Bishop Rolando Álvarez refused to leave Nicaragua along with the 222 political prisoners who were deported by the Daniel Ortega... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, during the indictment presented by the dictatorship of Nicaragua on Jan. 10, 2023.

European bishops call for release of Nicaraguan bishop due to stand trial for conspiracy

Feb 8, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The president of the European bishops’ conferences has demanded “the immediate release” of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Exiled priest says bishop on trial in Nicaragua created secret human rights office

Jan 30, 2023

By CNA Staff

Father Uriel Vallejos recounted how the Bishop Rolando Álvarez opened the office to help those persecuted after anti-government protests in... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Prosecution accused of fabricating witnesses for trial of Nicaraguan bishop

Jan 23, 2023

By CNA Staff

An exiled priest and a human rights defender charge that the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega is manipulating and “fabricating”... Read more

Father Oscar Benavidez was found guilty of two crimes on Jan. 16, 2023.

Meet the priest the Nicaraguan dictatorship wants to put away for eight years

Jan 21, 2023

By CNA Staff

Father Oscar Benavidez was found guilty of two crimes at a Jan. 16 trial riddled with irregularities and consisting of... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua (on the left), during his hearing on Jan. 10, 2023.

Catholic bishop arrested by dictatorship in Nicaragua to be put on trial

Jan 10, 2023

By CNA Staff

Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who has been held under house arrest in Nicaragua since August, will be put on trial, accused... Read more

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega: ‘I never had respect for the bishops’

Dec 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

Daniel Ortega once again attacked the Catholic Church, accusing it of “calling for bloodshed,” and said, “I never had respect... Read more