Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos

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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

Bishop Rolando José Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was placed under house arrest by the police of Daniel Ortega's regime in early August 2022.

Nicaragua forces Catholic bishop to stay under house arrest

Dec 14, 2022

By Katie Yoder

The court charged Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa with “conspiracy,” “spreading false news, and “damaging the Nicaraguan government and society.”  Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez

Church in Nicaragua asks for continued prayers for abducted bishop and priests

Sep 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Diocese of Matagalpa asked for prayers for its bishop, Rolando Álvarez, and others who were arrested and abducted in... Read more

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

Ortega regime shuts down another Catholic radio station in Nicaragua

Aug 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Radio Stereo Fe of the Diocese of Estelí lamented Aug. 24 that “almost 28 years of radio evangelization on FM... Read more

President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua

Priests confront dictatorship in Nicaragua: ‘Let us work in peace!’

Aug 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

The priests of the Diocese of Estelí in Nicaragua called on the authorities of the dictatorial regime of Daniel Ortega... Read more

Bishop Rolando Jose Álvarez Lagos of Matagalpa is monitored by police, August 2022.

Cardinal Zuppi: Nicaraguan bishop’s arrest ‘a very serious act’

Aug 20, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A note from the president of the Italian bishops' conference expresses closeness to the bishops of Nicaragua after the arrest... Read more

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

Cardinal visits bishop abducted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship: His spirit is strong  

Aug 19, 2022

By David Ramos

The archbishop of Managua, Nicaragua, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, met with the bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez, hours after the bishop... Read more

Bishop Rolando José Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was placed under house arrest by the police of Daniel Ortega's regime in early August 2022.

Police put Nicaraguan bishop under house arrest again, send priests and seminarians to jail 

Aug 19, 2022

By David Ramos

The national police of Nicaragua's Ortega regime said that the bishop was seized to prevent "destabilizing and provocative activities.” Read more

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

BREAKING: Police force their way into chancery and abduct bishop in Nicaragua

Aug 19, 2022

By David Ramos

Nicaraguan police forced their way into the residence of Bishop Rolando Álvarez Friday morning and abducted the prelate, an outspoken... Read more

The faithful gather for Mass behind the fence of the church as the parochial vicar celebrates Mass in the atrium of Santa Lucía Parish in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, Aug. 16, 2022.

Police harassment forces priest to celebrate Mass outside church in Nicaragua

Aug 16, 2022

By Walter Sanchez Silva

A group of police officers from the Daniel Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua arrived at a parish Aug. 16 with the... Read more

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

Persecuted bishop in Nicaragua tells faithful to overcome evil with good

Aug 12, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, who has been under house for eight days, called on the faithful not to... Read more

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

The history behind the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua

Aug 12, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

How did the Central American country come to such a crisis? Read more

Bishop Rolando José Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was placed under house arrest by the police of Daniel Ortega's regime in early August 2022.

Bishops of Mexico stand in solidarity with Nicaragua ‘at a time of profound suffering’

Aug 10, 2022

By Diego Lopez Marina

The dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega in recent weeks has threatened the Church in Nicaragua's freedom of speech and religion. Read more

Police arrive the night of Aug. 1 at Divine Mercy parish in the town of Sébaco in the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The parish broadcast live on Facebook the arrival of the police at the parish doors as well as their entry by force.

Ortega regime in Nicaragua violently shuts down Catholic radio stations

Aug 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

Nicaraguan police broke into Divine Mercy parish the night of Aug. 1 in the town of Sébaco in the Diocese... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, walks with other pilgrims to the Shrine of the Divine Child in July 2022.

Prayer ‘is what will save Nicaragua,’ bishop says

Jul 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

During a recent pilgrimage, Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa also called for a “crusade” of prayer in coming months. Read more

Protests in Granada, Nicaragua, April 29, 2018.

Nicaraguan bishop charges police, government persecution

May 20, 2022

By David Ramos

Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos of Matagalpa has charged that the police of President Daniel Ortega’s government harassed him by... Read more

Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Masked, armed men attack chancery in Nicaragua

Jun 28, 2018

The pastoral center of the Diocese of Matagalpa in central Nicaragua, whose bishop is currently in Rome to inform the... Read more