Pope worried about Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to 26 years
Managua, NicaraguaAP Pope Francis on Sunday expressed sadness and worry at the news that Bishop Rolando Alvarez, an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan Government, had been sentenced to 26 years in prison in the latest move against the Catholic Church and government opponents. Hours later in Nicaragua’s capital, Cardenal Leopoldo Brenes said someone had asked […]
Nicaraguan Catholic bishop sentenced to decades in prison, citizenship stripped
Managua, NIcaragua Reuters A Nicaraguan court sentenced Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez to more than 26 years in prison on Friday, a day after the cleric and critic of President Daniel Ortega declined to be expelled to the United States as part of a prisoner release. Alvarez, Bishop of the Matagalpa diocese, was convicted of treason, […]
Catholic priests in Nicaragua sentenced to decade behind bars
Managua, Nicaragua Reuters A Nicaraguan judge sentenced four Catholic priests to 10-year prison terms on Monday, after they were charged with “treason” and “spreading false news,” amid what rights groups call a growing clampdown on critics of President Daniel Ortega. Two Catholic seminarians studying for the priesthood were also sentenced to a decade behind bars […]
Nicaragua orders bishop to remain under house arrest
Mexico City, MexicoAP A Nicaraguan court has ordered that a Roman Catholic bishop remain under house arrest on charges of “conspiracy” and “spreading false news,” a government media site said Tuesday. The government website El 19 Digital said Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Álvarez has been formally charged with those crimes and “damaging the Nicaraguan government and […]
Pope urges dialogue over church-state crisis in Nicaragua after bishop’s arrest
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis on Sunday called for an “open and sincere” dialogue to resolve a stand-off between the Catholic Church and government in Nicaragua, following the arrest of a bishop who is a leading critic of President Daniel Ortega. Speaking to pilgrims and tourists in St Peter’s Square for his weekly blessing, Francis made […]
Nicaraguans celebrate Mass peacefully after procession ban
Mexico City, MexicoAP Hundreds of Nicaraguans attended a Mass under a heavy police presence Saturday after the government prohibited a religious procession in the capital amid tensions with the Roman Catholic Church. Church leaders announced a day earlier that the National Police had banned the planned procession for Our Lady of Fatima for reasons of […]
Nicaragua police ban Catholic procession in church crackdown
Reuters Nicaraguan police have banned a Catholic procession and pilgrimage in the capital of Managua on Saturday, citing internal security reasons, the archdiocese said on Friday as the crackdown on the church intensifies. In response, the archdiocese called for the country’s faithful to spend Friday in prayer and fasting and to attend mass at the […]
Nicaragua police investigating bishop critical of government
Mexico City, Mexico AP Nicaragua’s police said they have begun an investigation against a Roman Catholic bishop who has been an outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega’s government. They accused Bishop Rolando Álvarez, leader of the Matagalpa diocese, of allegedly “organising violent groups” and inciting them “to carry out acts of hate against the population.” […]
Nicaragua’s government shutters six church radio stations
Mexico City, MexicoAP Nicaraguan authorities ordered the closure of six radio stations belonging to the Roman Catholic Church on Monday and surrounded one with riot police, church officials said. Rev Rolando Álvarez, the Bishop of the northern province of Matagalpa, said during Mass that the he had received a letter from the tate telecommunications agency […]