Bishop Rolando José Álvarez

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks to the academic community at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome on Nov. 5, 2024.

Pope Francis at Gregorian University warns of ‘Coca-Cola spirituality’

Speaking at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, the pope told faculty and students to avoid superficial approaches to faith... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez.

Who is Rolando Álvarez, the bishop persecuted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship?

Oct 3, 2024

By Eduardo Berdejo

Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos is once again in the news after Pope Francis appointed him to participate in the second... Read more

One priest and seven deacons were ordained July 20 in the Matagalpa cathedral by the president of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference.

First ordinations take place in Nicaraguan diocese since exile of Bishop Álvarez

Jul 22, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

One priest and seven deacons were ordained July 20 by the president of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference in the Matagalpa... Read more

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

Pope Francis and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida.

Sen. Marco Rubio asks Pope Francis to call for release of bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua

Dec 15, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

In a Dec. 13 letter to Pope Francis, Rubio asked the pontiff to intercede on behalf of the 57-year-old bishop... 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

Some photographs of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez disseminated by the dictatorship of Nicaragua in November 2023.

Nicaraguan dictatorship releases new photos, video of imprisoned Bishop Álvarez

Nov 30, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In response to demands for proof that Bishop Rolando Álvarez is still alive, Nicaraguan officials released new images of the... 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

CNA

Legal group pleads for imprisoned Bishop Álvarez's rights before human rights commission

Sep 15, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez is serving a prison sentence under the regime of President Daniel Ortega for criticizing the dictatorship. 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

Central American University (UCA) of Nicaragua.

U.S. State Department spokesman condemns seizure of Jesuit university in Nicaragua

Aug 17, 2023

By Diego López Marina, CNA Staff

“The U.S. condemns the regime’s ongoing repression of religious figures and institutions,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said. Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Is Nicaragua’s Bishop Álvarez still alive? A U.S. congressman demands proof

Aug 11, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“I call on President Ortega to provide proof to the international community that Bishop Álvarez is still alive,” said Rep.... 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

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

U.S. bishops call for release of Nicaraguan Bishop Álvarez 

Jul 13, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Following failed negotiations to free Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, the U.S. bishops called for the imprisoned prelate’s release. Read more