Second Nicaraguan Bishop Arrested After Voicing Support for Imprisoned Bishop Rolando Álvarez

Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna, Nicaragua, was arrested on December 20 while traveling to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation in La Cruz de Río Grande. The detention occurred as he was accompanied by two seminarians, according to Mosaico CSI, an independent Nicaraguan news organization. The arrest followed a homily in which Bishop Mora expressed spiritual support for Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who has been imprisoned since August 2022.

Bishop Mora’s remarks at a Mass in Matagalpa referenced the collective prayers of the Nicaraguan bishops’ conference for Bishop Álvarez. The bishop’s words emphasized unity in faith and love, highlighting the ongoing spiritual solidarity among church leaders. The motives for his arrest remain unspecified, though the timing suggests a direct connection to his public expression of support for a fellow clergyman facing government persecution.

Bishop Rolando Álvarez has been held in detention for over 500 days following a predawn raid on his diocesan curia. His imprisonment stemmed from charges of spreading false information and conspiracy, which were levied after he criticized President Daniel Ortega and denounced human rights abuses. Despite a 26-year prison sentence imposed in February 2023, Álvarez has refused to leave the country, defying efforts by the Sandinista regime to exile him.

Since 2018, at least 176 Catholic priests and religious have been exiled or barred from returning to Nicaragua. Reports indicate that police and paramilitary forces have increasingly conducted “courtesy visits” to intimidate clergy, while religious celebrations, including feast days for patron saints, have been prohibited. These actions reflect a broader pattern of state repression against the Catholic Church.

The Nicaraguan bishops’ conference has remained largely silent on Bishop Álvarez’s detention and the broader persecution of church leaders. Previously, the conference sought to mediate between protesters and the government during the 2018 unrest, advocating for President Ortega’s removal. However, the bishops later distanced themselves from the protests, abandoning their earlier role as mediators.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by religious leaders in Nicaragua, where dissent is met with legal and physical reprisals. The arrest of Bishop Mora and the continued imprisonment of Bishop Álvarez exemplify the state’s efforts to suppress religious freedom and control dissent within the Church. The Church’s role in advocating for justice and human dignity remains a critical concern amid these developments.

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