Nicaraguan Opposition Denounces 'Continuous Persecution' of Catholic Church

Nicaraguan opposition organizations have issued a strong condemnation of the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo government's "continuous persecution" against the Catholic Church and those who advocate for freedom and human dignity. The groups stated that the recent actions against Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, the emeritus bishop of Estelí, exemplify the pervasive climate of repression and intolerance in Nicaragua.

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The civil society and the democratic opposition of Nicaragua condemn in the strongest terms the continuous persecution that the Sandinista dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo exercises against the Catholic Church and against those who raise their voice in defense of freedom, truth, and human dignity.

Bishop Mata was reportedly detained by police on June 25, allegedly in retaliation for a mass he held earlier that week. During the service, he had asked the faithful to pray for the persecuted Catholic Church and specifically mentioned Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was previously stripped of his nationality and exiled, and Father Frutos Valle. The octogenarian bishop was allegedly taken for an investigation and later released under surveillance at his residence in Tisma, Masaya.

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The recent events against Monsignor Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, emeritus bishop of Estelí (north), constitute a new example of the climate of repression and intolerance that Nicaragua is experiencing.

The opposition coalition, which includes the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, the National Unity, and the Democratic Union Renovator (Unamos), emphasized that the incident involving Bishop Mata is not isolated. They described it as part of a systematic policy of intimidation and harassment targeting bishops, priests, religious individuals, and laypeople committed to their faith and the defense of public liberties. The opposition groups have alerted both Nicaragua and the international community that the persecution of the Catholic Church persists, with threats against its leaders intended to sow fear and silence dissent.

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What happened to Monsignor Mata cannot be understood as an isolated event. It is part of a systematic policy of intimidation, harassment, and persecution directed against bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople committed to their faith and the defense of public liberties.

Official explanations from the National Police regarding Bishop Mata's detention or any potential judicial proceedings are still pending. Relations between the Vatican and Managua are officially suspended amid significant animosity. In March 2023, the late Pope Francis characterized Ortega's government as a "gross dictatorship." This followed the conviction of Bishop Rolando Álvarez for "treason against the homeland" and his subsequent exile and denationalization. President Ortega has also dissolved and expropriated properties of the Society of Jesus, the religious order to which Pope Francis belonged, and has referred to the Church as a "mafia" and anti-democratic. According to a report by the NGO Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más, at least 261 religious figures, including the president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, Carlos Herrera, have been expelled from the country as a result of this religious persecution.

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We denounce to Nicaragua and to the world that the persecution against the Catholic Church continues and that the threats against its pastors seek to sow fear and silence critical voices.