Nineteen clergymen, including Bishop Rolando Alvarez, were expelled while two seminarians were detained.
Bishop Rolando Alvarez’s exile was said to bring relief to one family member. (Photo: Diocese of Raleigh)
Bishop Rolando Alvarez And Other Clergymen’s Expulsion
Nicaragua expelled 19 clergymen, including Bishop Rolando Alvarez, a critic of President Daniel Ortega. The expelled group also included Bishop Isidoro Mora along with Bishop Rolando Alvarez, 15 priests, and two seminarians who were detained.
Despite Bishop Rolando Alvarez’s expulsion, Nicaragua thanked the Vatican and Catholic Church members for facilitating their trip. Bishop Rolando Alvarez had criticized the government’s response to protests in 2018 and was convicted of treason earlier this year.
According to a published article by The Wall Street Journal, one family member expressed relief at Bishop Rolando Alvarez’s exile. The government has not provided any specific reasons for the arrests of Bishop Rolando Alvarez and other clergymen.
But Ortega has accused church leaders of attempting to overthrow his government since previous protests.
Bishop Rolando Alvarez’s Condition Remains Unclear
In a published article by UCA News, the priests were sent into exile and were allowed to board a flight to Rome on October 18, following an agreement between Nicaragua and the Vatican.
The Vatican Secretary of State will receive the exiled priests, and the Nicaraguan government claims that this move aims to preserve peace and support the Catholic community.
However, Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, who is imprisoned and serving a 26-year sentence, was not among those released. His situation remains unclear.
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