Nicaragua sends Bishop Emeritus Mata home after U.S. demands release

Nicaragua's government announced Saturday it had released Bishop Emeritus Juan Abelardo Mata to his home, following international pressure, particularly from the United States, which had demanded his "immediate and unconditional" liberation. The 80-year-old bishop had been detained after urging his congregation to pray for the persecuted Catholic Church.

The Ministry of the Interior stated that an "indispensable investigation" into Mata's property and family connections, which they claimed were inconsistent with his priestly status, had been conducted. The ministry added that Mata had made statements about "various episodes violating national laws," though specific details were not provided. They asserted that he was treated with respect during his detention and upon his return home.

The U.S. State Department had strongly condemned Nicaragua's "continued and cruel religious persecution" under the leadership of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, urging an end to attacks on religious freedom. Mata's detention on Monday followed a June 25th mass where he specifically mentioned Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was recently stripped of his nationality and exiled, and Father Frutos Valle.

Initially, Mata was reportedly taken for investigation and then placed under surveillance at his residence. However, humanitarian organizations reported that police later returned and took him to an unknown location. Relations between the Vatican and Managua have been officially suspended since March 2023, with Pope Francis having previously described Ortega's government as a "gross dictatorship."