Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos

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Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matalgalpa, Nicaragua.

Imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop nominated for European Parliament human rights award

Sep 25, 2023

By Diego Lopez Marina

The European Parliament announced the nominees for the 2023 Sakharov Prize, which honors persons and organizations who defend human rights... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua arrests priest who prayed for imprisoned Bishop Álvarez

Sep 11, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

In a message sent to ACI Prensa, lawyer Martha Patricia Molina stated that the priest “was kidnapped by the Sandinista... Read more

Nicaraguan opposition peasant leader Medardo Mairena speaks during a press conference at the Permanent Commission of Human Rights (CPDH) in Managua on Aug. 14, 2019.

Nicaraguan ‘campesino’ leader who refused to falsely accuse bishops shares his testimony

Sep 7, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Medardo Mairena Sequeira said Daniel Ortega “has become entrenched in power and anyone who makes waves ... can immediately be... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

6 things you should know about the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

Aug 27, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

The Ortega dictatorship has not hesitated to expel nuns, shut down Catholic media outlets, take over ecclesiastical institutions and buildings,... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Honduran bishop: Although Bishop Álvarez is in prison, he won’t be silent

Jul 26, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

“He’s not going to be silent. He is not a man to stay silent. ... [He wants to] return to... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

U.S. State Department official calls for release of imprisoned bishop, priest in Nicaragua

Jul 17, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs has called for the release of Father Fernando Zamora Silva... Read more

Father Fernando Zamora Silva.

5 years after massacre, Nicaragua dictatorship arrests priest, blocks return of another

Jul 11, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

On Sunday, July 9, Father Fernando Zamora Silva was reportedly “arbitrarily arrested” in the city of Managua where he was... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Bishop Alvarez sent back to prison after talks with Nicaraguan dictatorship break down

Jul 6, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Álvarez was returned to custody after he refused to comply with the Ortega regime’s demand that he go into exile. Read more

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

Inter-American Court of Human Rights demands immediate release of Nicaraguan Bishop Álvarez

Jul 3, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

In its June 27 ruling the IACHR also required the Nicaraguan government to report on the bishop’s situation by July... Read more

The flags of the Sandinista dictatorship in front of the Matagalpa Cathedral.

Nicaraguan dictatorship places Sandinista flags in front of cathedral of imprisoned bishop

Jun 27, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

“Obviously, this is one more provocation from the Sandinista dictatorship against the Nicaraguan Catholic Church,” a Nicaraguan researcher said. Read more

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Diocese of Estelí, Nicaragua.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua withholds more than $500,000 donated by CRS to the Church

Jun 7, 2023

By Diego Lopez Marina

An investigation has revealed that the Ortega dictatorship withheld more than half a million dollars donated to the Church in... Read more

Daniel Ortega.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua accuses Catholic Church of money laundering

May 30, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The Nicaraguan National Police published a statement May 27 accusing the Catholic Church of various crimes including money laundering. Read more

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In 5 years the Church in Nicaragua has suffered more than 500 attacks, 90 in 2023 alone

May 4, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Researcher and lawyer Martha Patricia Molina on May 3 presented the third installment of her report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church?” Read more

Bishop José Álvarez Lagos surrounded by police officers on Aug. 4, 2022.

Nicaragua regime’s harassment of Catholics demands a response, US bishops say

Apr 21, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

During Holy Week, the police arrested at least 15 Nicaraguans who were mostly faithful Catholics and critics of the regime. Read more

Daniel Ortega / Bishop Silvio Báez.

Exiled Nicaraguan bishop says Ortega’s attacks are ‘a sign of desperation’

Apr 18, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez of Managua, Nicaragua responded to new verbal attacks of the country's bishops by Nicaraguan dictator Daniel... Read more

The Trappist Sisters of Nicaragua announced Feb. 27, 2023, that they are leaving Nicaragua for Panama.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua confiscates monastery and arrests 20 people during Holy Week

Apr 13, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The Trappist sisters of Nicaragua, who left the country in February, reported that the government told the bishop of Juigalpa... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Why did Bishop Alvarez refuse to leave Nicaragua? A former political prisoner explains

Apr 11, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

Félix Maradiaga said he was edified by “seeing the example of a bishop who has given absolutely everything for the... Read more

Danie Ortega.

No let up from Ortega during Holy Week: Priest expelled, traditions banned in Nicaragua

Apr 5, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega hasn’t declared a truce in its persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, not even... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Nicaraguans respond to ‘staged’ prison interview with Bishop Álvarez

Mar 28, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

El 19 Digital released photos and a video of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was visited by a brother and sister... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez in "La Modelo" prison, March 25, 2023.

Imprisoned Nicaraguan Bishop Álvarez appears in video posted by dictatorship

Mar 27, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

El 19 Digital posted a video of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, sentenced to 26 years in prison, in which he shares... Read more