Nicaragua Detains Second Bishop Amid Church Crackdowns

In a further escalation of the crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, authorities have detained Bishop Isidoro Mora, who expressed solidarity with fellow bishop Rolando Alvarez, per BBC.

Alvarez is currently serving a 26-year sentence for criticizing President Daniel Ortega's government.

This marks the latest move against clerics who have spoken out against the ruling regime.

President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo have been targeting members of the Catholic Church, with arrests and expulsions becoming a common occurrence.

Earlier this year, 12 priests were among the 222 opposition figures deported from Nicaragua to the US.

In February, Bishop Alvarez, refusing exile, has been imprisoned since February 2023 on charges including conspiracy, spreading false news, obstruction of justice, and contempt for authorities.

Nicaragua Bishop Isidoro Mora Arrested

Bishop Isidoro Mora was apprehended by police and paramilitaries as he was en route to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at the parish of La Cruz de Rio Grande, according to Independent Catholic News.

Seminarians Alester Sáenz and Tony Palacio were also arrested, and their current whereabouts remain unknown.

The arrest is believed to be linked to Bishop Mora's recent homily, where he expressed the Nicaragua Bishops' continued prayers for Bishop Alvarez and the diocese of Matagalpa.

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, recently highlighted Nicaragua's departure from the rule of law, emphasizing the worsening situation for its people.

She condemned the persecution of individuals contributing to an alternative vision in the public sphere, including political leaders, indigenous members, activists, and journalists.

Sources, requesting anonymity due to potential government backlash, reported to CNN that Bishop Isidoro Mora's condition is currently unknown.

"We shut up because if we say something, we face threats. We know the world knows, but we suffer the pain," a source said, revealing the strong persecution faced by the Church in Nicaragua.

This echoes a broader trend of repression against the Catholic Church, with dozens of priests and laymen being jailed or expelled.

Nicaragua's Church Crackdowns

The arrest of Nicaragua Bishop Isidoro Mora follows the expulsion of two Costa Rican nuns in April for praying for Bishop Alvarez, constituting a troubling pattern of repression against the Catholic Church, CNN reports.

Yader Morazán, an expert in Nicaragua's judiciary system, highlighted the detention of priests and nuns and the blocking of their return, characterizing it as part of this repressive pattern.

Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 to escape persecution after the government cracked down on anti-regime protests.

A state-owned website, El19digital, announced the arrest of 11 individuals associated with Christian organizations on Monday, accusing them of money laundering.

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, who secured a fifth term in 2021, has employed a national security law to detain opposition figures, including presidential candidates, journalists, and human rights activists, citing vague national security justifications ahead of elections.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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