Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega has banned traditional public processions of the Way of the Cross during the Lenten season. The move escalates his crackdown on the country’s Catholic Church and political opponents. The Nicaraguan government has prohibited the processions from being held in public venues, with the ritual to be conducted only inside churches on Read more
A Nicaraguan Catholic bishop was sentenced to 26 years in prison and had his citizenship revoked by a court in the Central American country. The sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez (pictured) occurred just a day after President Daniel Ortega criticised the bishop for refusing to leave the country with other political prisoners. Bishop Álvarez, of Read more
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega blasted Catholic leaders as a “gang of murderers,” in comments amping up persecution of the church and scorning Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Central American country. In a fiery address, Ortega took aim at Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops for promoting democracy as an exit from the country’s political crisis, alleging Read more
The Vatican is under pressure to make a statement about the arrest of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez (pictured) following his incarceration on August 19. Despite requests from several journalists, the Vatican has kept silent on the detainment of Matagalpa’s bishop. Álvarez is known for criticising President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Read more
Human rights activist Bianca Jagger (pictured) has called on Pope Francis to condemn the Nicaraguan government’s targeted attacks on the Catholic Church. Jagger is among the thousands of Nicaraguan Catholics in constant vigil for detained Bishop José Álvarez who has been under house arrest in northern Nicaragua with 11 companions since 4 August. “I feel Read more
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 praying and fasting and attend Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Read more