Published on: 4 March 2024
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Rolando Álvarez Lagos served as Bishop of Matagalpa from 2011 until his arrest in 2022.
The anti-government protests of 2018 saw hundreds of priests, activists, students, and political leaders imprisoned. In the years following, arrests continue and, as a result, tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled into exile, witnessing the violent response of President Ortega’s security forces.
An outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government, especially vocal against President Ortega’s suppression of civil and religious liberties, Bishop Álvarez was placed under house arrest in 2022. After 6 months of detainment, Álvarez turned down the opportunity to join a group of 222 prisoners of conscience released into U.S. custody. The deal was brokered by the U.S. government.
In a statement, President Ortega announced that Álvarez had refused to board the flight to the United States. Because of his refusal, Álvarez’ Nicaraguan citizenship was immediately revoked. Denied a trial, he was arbitrarily sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Bishop Álvarez is currently imprisoned in the La Modelo Tipitapa Prison and has not been permitted any visitors since March.According to the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the priest’s prison cell has “inadequate hygiene and sanitation and no natural light, and he is not allowed outside – conditions that violate international human rights norms and standards.”
TIMELINE
May 2022: Announced he was beginning a hunger strike to protest police brutality.
August 4, 2022: Prevented by police from leaving his house to celebrate mass, thus placing him under house arrest.
December 13, 2022: Charged with conspiracy “for undermining national integrity and propagation of false news through information and communication technologies to the detriment of the State and Nicaraguan society.” He was ordered to remain under house arrest.
February 9, 2023: Álvarez is not part of the 222 political prisoners released into U.S. custody by the Nicaraguan government.
February 10, 2023: Scheduled to stand trial on February 16, however, government officials changed plans and declared Álvarez a traitor. He was stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship and civil rights for life and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
January 14: Released from prison and sent into exile with 18 other Roman Catholic leaders.
PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that Bishop Álvarez would stay committed to the call of Christ and stand ready to serve Him in prison. Ask the Lord to help bring about his release as soon as possible.
Pray that God would stir the heart of world leaders to draft and enact policies and procedures that would make a global difference in bringing religious freedom to countries like Nicaragua.
Pray that Christians around the world would spend time in prayer and give generously to organizations that rally around those who, like Bishop Álvarez Lagos, are suffering for Christ.
TAKE ACTION – Write a letter
Please encourage Bishop Álvarez as he begins his 26-year sentence in prison. We urge you to write letters of encouragement and hope.
Letters can be sent to: (view Sample Letters here)
Prisoner, Rolando Álvarez Lagos
La Carcel La Modelo
Calle EntenÇa 155
Tipitapa, Managua 15100
Nicaragua
Be sure to sign your letter with your first name only. (Please read our Prayer & Action Useful Tips to familiarize yourself with important safety measures when corresponding with persecuted Christians in foreign countries.)
Address the envelope as follows:
TAKE ACTION – Advocate on behalf of the prisoner
We have a strong advocate in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington D.C.
Write to the USCIRF today and encourage their diplomatic efforts on behalf of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos and others like him who have been imprisoned in Nicaragua for taking a stand in the fight for religious freedom.
Send your letter to: (view Sample Letters here)
Chair: Rabbi Abraham Cooper
Address: 732 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite A714,
Washington, D.C. 20401
