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Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 priests arrive in Rome from prison, guests of Vatican

MEXICO CITY — Nicaragua’s government released a prominent Catholic bishop and 18 other clergy members imprisoned in a crackdown by President Daniel Ortega and handed them over to Vatican authorities who welcomed them in Rome. Bishop Rolando Álvarez and the other clergy were jailed more than a year ago, in most cases, as part of a crackdown on the opposition …

Bishop Álvarez

US condemns Nicaragua’s imprisonment of outspoken bishop

Bishop Rolando Alvarez was sentenced to 26 years in prison after refusing to join other political prisoners in exile. Bishop Rolando Alvarez, an outspoken critic of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, was sentenced to 26 years in prison last Friday over charges of “conspiracy” and “fake news”. “We condemn this action by the government of Nicaragua and urge Bishop Alvarez’s immediate …

Bishop

Pope worried about Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to 26 years

MEXICO CITY — Pope Francis on Sunday expressed sadness and worry at the news that Bishop Rolando Álvarez, an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government, had been sentenced to 26 years in prison. That concern was also echoed in Nicaragua’s capital, when Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes said someone had asked him what they could do for Álvarez. “Pray that the Lord …

Pope Francis voices concern for imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop

Pope Francis on Sunday spoke of his concern over the imprisonment of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez, who was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison in the Latin American country. The Pope's comments about Alvarez, who is a vocal critic of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, were made in his weekly blessing to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square. …

Nicaraguan bishop who refused exile gets 26 years in prison

MEXICO CITY — Roman Catholic Bishop Rolando Álvarez, an outspoken critic of Nicaragua’s government, was sentenced to 26 years in prison and stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship Friday, the latest move by President Daniel Ortega against the Catholic church and his opponents. Andrew Chesnut, a professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, said Álvarez’s sentence “constitutes the most severe …

Nicaraguan judge orders dissident bishop to stand trial

Nicaraguan police detain bishop, other priests in raid

MEXICO CITY — Nicaraguan police on Friday raided the residence of a Roman Catholic bishop critical of President Daniel Ortega’s administration, detaining him and several other priests in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the church and a government increasingly intolerant of dissent. The pre-dawn raid came after Nicaraguan authorities had accused Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Álvarez of “organizing violent groups” …

Nicaragua bishop critical of Ortega under house arrest after raid

Church and rights advocates condemn detention of Ronaldo Alvarez, who police say is under house arrest in Managua. Nicaraguan authorities have placed a Roman Catholic bishop critical of President Daniel Ortega under house arrest, after a pre-dawn police raid on Ronaldo Alvarez’s home drew condemnation from the church, rights groups and international observers. The action against Alvarez, 55, started with …