Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos

The Latest

Daniel Ortega.

Despite persecution, ‘the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,’ priest says

Jan 30, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Despite being persecuted by Daniel Ortega’s regime for years, “the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,” a priest from the... Read more

A doctor carries out a medical examination of Bishop Rolando Álvarez  on Jan. 2, 2024.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua posts photos of Bishop Álvarez after U.S. calls for his release

Jan 3, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The dictatorship on Jan. 2 released recent images of the Bishop Rolando Álvarez shortly after the United States government demanded... Read more

Cathedral of Managua, Nicaragua.

UPDATE: 4 priests arrested in 2 days by Nicaraguan dictatorship

Dec 29, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

“We can denote this last year as the year with the most attacks against the Catholic Church in the recent... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Witnesses testify to torture by Nicaraguan dictatorship at hearing on imprisoned Catholic bishop 

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Among the witnesses testifying at the hearing titled “An Urgent Appeal to Let Bishop Álvarez Go” were several Nicaraguan exiles.  Read more

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Eight priests under house arrest in Nicaragua reportedly transferred to El Chipote prison

Oct 17, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The independent Nicaraguan media La Prensa, El Confidencial confirmed the transfer through sources close to the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference. Read more

Father Yesner Cipriano Pineda Meneses (left) and Father Ramón Esteban Angulo Reyes (right), were arrested in Nicaragua the weekend of Oct. 7-8, 2023.

Two more priests arrested by Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua

Oct 10, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The arrest of two more Catholic priests in Nicaragua brings the total to six priests arrested in just eight days... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matalgalpa, Nicaragua.

Imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop nominated for European Parliament human rights award

Sep 25, 2023

By Diego López 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 Sánchez 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 Sánchez 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 Sánchez 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 Sánchez 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 Sánchez 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 López 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 Sánchez 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 Sánchez 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