Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa has been released from prison and sent into exile along with 18 imprisoned churchmen as the Nicaraguan government expelled its most prominent critic, whose presence behind bars bore witness to the Sandinista regime descent into totalitarianism, along with its unrelenting persecution of the Catholic Church.
Vatican News confirmed on 14th January at 10:41 p.m. Rome time that, with the exception of one priest who remained in Venezuela, all released priests, including Bishop Álvarez and Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna, have arrived in Rome “in the last few hours” and are “guests of the Holy See.”
Nicaraguan independent media 100% Noticias posted a photograph on X, formerly Twitter, of the two freed bishops concelebrating Mass in Rome. Independent Nicaraguan media reported on 14th January that the churchmen had departed Nicaragua on a flight for Rome after the government reached an agreement with the Vatican for their release and exile.
Auxiliary Bishop Silvio José Báez of Managua, who left the country in 2019, also confirmed the news at his weekly Mass in Miami. “‘Get up quickly.’ The chains fell from his wrists,” Bishop Báez said on X, formerly Twitter, quoting Acts 12:7.
“With great joy, I thank God that my brother bishops, priests, and seminarians are out of prison. Justice has triumphed. The power of the prayer of God’s people has been displayed.”
Picture: Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa walks outside a Catholic church in Managua, 20th May 2022. Bishop Álvarez safely landed in Rome on 14th January, the Vatican confirmed. (OSV News photo/Maynor Valenzuela, Reuters)