Religious persecution
The Latest
Nicaraguan dictatorship shuts down more nonprofit Catholic organizations, evangelical churches
The closure of the organizations was announced Aug. 29 through the official government newspaper La Gaceta. Read more
Dictatorship in Nicaragua eliminates priests’ retirement fund
In yet another move to undermine the Catholic Church, the Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua has eliminated and confiscated a retirement... Read more
Nicaraguan dictatorship eliminates tax exemptions for Catholic and evangelical churches
Lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina considers the measure a “fiscal blow” that will end up “financially suffocating the Church.” Read more
Aug. 22 marks International Day of Victims of Religious Persecution
Every Aug. 22 the International Day of Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is commemorated. Read more
![“We cannot remain silent while this dictator closes [1,500] NGOs, suffocating civil society and violating the rights of thousands of citizens,” said Felix Maradiaga, shown here during an interview with AFP in Managua on Feb. 11, 2021.](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/gettyimages-1231270030.jpg?w=220&h=165)
Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua shuts down 1,500 nonprofits and exiles two more priests
The dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega has canceled the legal status of 1,500 non-profit organizations, including Caritas of Granada. Read more
870 attacks against the Catholic Church reported in Nicaragua since 2018
On Aug. 13, the human rights watchdog group “Nicaragua Never Again” presented its fourth bulletin on religious freedom covering April... Read more
Experts explain why dictatorship in Nicaragua abducts and exiles priests
The campaign against the Catholic Church dates back to 2018, when Church leaders expressed support for the people who were... Read more
Dictatorship in Nicaragua arrests two more priests and two laywomen
The priests and laywomen are from Estelí and Matagalpa, both dioceses officially led by Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who has been... Read more
Dictatorship in Nicaragua: 7 priests left the country and arrived ‘safely’ at the Vatican
Rosario Murillo, vice president of Nicaragua, announced that seven priests left the Central American country and have arrived “safely” at... Read more
Paris 2024: 7 arrested ‘at gunpoint’ for calling for an end to attacks against Christians
The seven were aboard a bus protesting the attack against the faith of Christians that was featured during the opening... Read more
At least 9 priests abducted by Nicaraguan dictatorship in last 2 weeks
These priests “remain under total surveillance” by the National Police, lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina reported. Read more
Prominent priest reportedly abducted by dictatorship in Nicaragua
In a July 29 statement to ACI Prensa, lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina said that Father Frutos Constantino Valle... Read more
Radio María in Nicaragua shut down by country’s dictatorship
The decision was detailed in a ministerial agreement signed by the ministry of the interior and published July 9 in... Read more
Philippine cardinal condemns chapel bombing as ‘horrendous sacrilegious act’
A Catholic cardinal condemned the grenade attack on a village chapel during a Bible service that left two wounded in... Read more
Spanish archbishop slams government’s obsession with the Catholic Church
Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes of Oviedo, Spain, delivered a fiery response to the government’s plan to address abuses committed within... Read more
Nicaragua dictatorship sentences 11 Christian leaders to prison, fines them $880 million
The trial took place in wake of the leaders’ success in bringing together thousands of people to pray in public... Read more
French government cracks down on priest who said homosexual relations are sinful
The French government has initiated a series of legal measures against Father Matthieu Raffray for calling homosexual relations sinful. Read more
More Holy Week processions prohibited in Cuba
The regime of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Cuba has prohibited several Holy Week processions in different cities of the country. Read more
Government restrictions on religion reach ‘peak levels’ in latest Pew global survey
Overall, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Algeria topped the report’s list of countries with “very high” government restrictions. Read more
Nicaraguan dictatorship trying to totally eradicate the faith, lawyer charges
With Holy Week just a few days away, Catholics in Nicaragua are preparing for religious celebrations in the midst of... Read more
