Pope Francis Worried About Bishop Rolando Alvarez's Sentencing as Nicaragua Strips Political Opponents of Citizenship

The political repression in Nicaragua intensified after the government under dictator Daniel Ortega exiled 222 political prisoners to the United States and sentenced dissident Bishop Rolando Alvarez to 26 years in prison. Now, Pope Francis has expressed his thoughts on the case.

Pope Francis said that he is both sad and worried about the fate of the Bishop of Matagpala, as well as several other members of the diocese, as several other priests who have worked with Bishop Alvarez were also sentenced and imprisoned.

The Catholic Church is one of the biggest critics of the Ortega regime, with the dictator banning all religious processions for "safety" or "public order" reasons, as well as expelling nuns serving under Mother Teresa's order. Ortega had previously called the Roman Catholic Church a "dictatorship" and called priests and bishops "coup plotters."

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, one of the highest Church officials in Nicaragua, also addressed Bishop Alvarez's sentencing, telling the faithful, "Pray, that is our strength."

During a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Cardinal stated, "Pray that the Lord gives him strength, gives him judgment in all of his actions."

According to the Associated Press, the statements by Pope Francis and Cardinal Brenes were the first public comments Church leadership made since Nicaragua expelled several dissidents from the country. Alvarez was also offered exile but chose to stay in the country, leading him to be sentenced to 26 years in prison.

"Let them go and I'll stay and serve out their sentence," said Bishop Alvarez about his decision to stay in Nicaragua. It is noted that while the bishop chose to stay, several other imprisoned priests chose to exile to the United States.

Daniel Ortega Regime Strips Exiled Political Opponents of Their Nicaraguan Citizenship

Many of Daniel Ortega's political opponents faced harsh conditions in Nicaraguan prisons, which have become infamous for being inhumane. With 222 prisoners being freed and exiled to the United States, it can be seen as a reprieve for many of them.

However, the Associated Press reported that shortly after they were sent off to the U.S., the Ortega government voted to strip all of them of their citizenship. Matagpala Bishop Rolando Alvarez, who stayed in Nicaragua, was also stripped of his citizenship even though he was not exiled.

However, legal analysts and experts, as well as human rights groups, have called this tactic a political ploy. They also pointed out that this is unprecedented in terms of scale and impact in the Western Hemisphere and said it violated international law.

U.S. Condemns Bishop Rolando Alvarez's Imprisonment

Following Bishop Alvarez's sentencing, the United States quickly slammed the Nicaraguan government for the act before calling on the country to release one of Daniel Ortega's most vocal critics.

"We condemn this action by the government of Nicaragua and urge Bishop Alvarez's immediate release," said U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

However, Price still acknowledged that Nicaragua releasing many of its political prisoners was a step forward in the right direction, according to Al Jazeera.

READ MORE: Pope Francis Worried For Nicaragua After Bishop's Arrest

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Written by: Rick Martin

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