Mexico City – Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez, who is a sharp critic of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison. Bishop, who was arrested and placed under house arrest last August on charges of treason for criticizing the government, refused to be put on a flight to the US along with 222 other prisoners. Following this, the Nicaraguan citizenship of the jailed Bishop of Modale was revoked. 4 priests arrested along with the bishop and 3 priest students have been sentenced to 10 years in prison each.
The government seized radio and TV stations owned by the Diocese of Matagalpa, where Alvarez was bishop. Nicaragua expelled the Vatican ambassador and members of Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity last year.
Pope Francis said during his weekly public visit in St. Peter’s Square that he was “deeply saddened” by the jailing of Bishop Alvarez.
English Summary: Nicaraguan Catholic bishop sentenced to decades in prison