Nicaragua: 12 Jailed Catholic Priests Freed, Sent to Rome Following Agreement With Vatican

The government of Nicaragua has released a dozen Catholic priests who were detained on various charges and arranged for their transfer to Rome following diplomatic negotiations with the Vatican, according to Al Jazeera.

A government statement released late on Wednesday confirmed that the twelve priests were transported to Rome during the afternoon, culminating in what the statement described as "fruitful conversations" between representatives of the Nicaraguan government, Catholic leaders in Nicaragua, and undisclosed figures within the Vatican.

The government's announcement emphasized the shared "permanent will and commitment to find solutions."

This move is a step towards de-escalating tensions in a nation plagued by political strife.

For context, President Daniel Ortega, a longstanding leftist leader in power since 2006, has been cracking down on opposition since 2018, when social security cuts sparked widespread anti-government protests.

Ortega asserted that the Catholic Church supported the protests, which he viewed as an attempted coup.

This year, the government escalated its crackdown on Catholic clergy and church-affiliated institutions. Some priests were arrested and charged with crimes like treason.

Additionally, members of the Nicaraguan clergy reported government surveillance during religious services and physical assaults, further exacerbating tensions between the government and the Catholic Church.

Sending the 12 Catholic Priests to Rome Is 'Force Removal,' Says Nicaragua Researcher

The government did not explicitly state why the 12 priests were sent to Italy. Still, it claimed the decision would contribute to "securing and defending peace."

Nicaragua's Catholic bishops conference did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

However, an exiled Nicaraguan researcher, Martha Patricia Molina, characterized the action as a "forced removal," Reuters noted.

She accused Ortega of attempting to stifle and eliminate the church through this move.

Molina underlined that the expulsion of these priests should not be interpreted as a sign of improved relations between the government and the Vatican, warning that hostilities may persist, leading to further arrests.

Nicaragua and Vatican

The relations between the Vatican and the Nicaragua government deteriorated during the 2018 protests, which lasted for several months, causing road blockades and clashes between opposition groups and government supporters.

The violence led to over 300 deaths, according to the United Nations, per The Tico Times.

The Nicaraguan government regarded the protests as an attempted coup backed by the United States, while international actors, including the United States and the European Union, accused the government of political repression and imposed sanctions.

In a separate incident, in August, the Jesuit-run Central American University in Managua suspended its activities after the government announced the seizure of its assets, alleging terrorism.

Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, who had criticized restrictions on religious freedom under the Ortega government, was sentenced to 26 years and four months in prison on charges including spreading false news and contempt.

He refused to leave Nicaragua with other expelled prisoners and was stripped of his nationality.

The expulsion of these priests to Rome is seen in the context of ongoing hostilities and strained relations between the government and the Vatican.

Nicaragua remains a nation grappling with political discord and international censure.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Vatican confirms it has received 12 priests from Nicaragua - From ROME REPORTS in English