This is the Bishop of Siuna, Isidoro Mora, who was arrested after praying for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, the Bishop of Matagalpa, who was sentenced without trial to 26 years in prison and has been in prison since last February. The UN denounces: The country is moving further and further away from the rule of law
News from the Vatican
The Nicaraguan police arrested on Wednesday December 20th the Bishop of Siuna, Monsignor Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega. This is the second prelate imprisoned in the country after Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Bishop of Matagalpa and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, was sentenced to 26 years in prison without due process for conspiracy, spreading false news, obstruction of justice and contempt of authorities , in prison since last February after being under house arrest since August 2022.
According to reports, Monsignor Mora was stopped by police and paramilitaries “while on his way to his confirmation in the parish of La Cruz de Rio Grande.” Along with him, “seminarians Alester Sáenz and Tony Palacio were also arrested.” The whereabouts of the three men are currently unknown.
Arrested after praying for Monsignor Álvarez
According to the country's independent press, citing ecclesiastical sources, the arrest of the Bishop of Siuna was due to the sermon delivered by Monsignor Mora on December 20 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. On this occasion, the prelate reported that the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference continues to pray for Monsignor Álvarez. “We always pray together for the beloved Diocese of Matagalpa,” said Monsignor Mora, “and we pray for Monsignor Rolando and for each of you.” Then he concluded: “We are united in prayer, in communion, in faith, in love , in tenderness.”
A country that is moving further and further away from the rule of law
In recent days, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif stated that Nicaragua is “increasingly moving” away from the rule of law and, in particular, fundamental freedoms, which is exacerbating people's suffering, fueling the exodus of young people and undermining the future democratic institutions.” He then denounced that the authorities in Managua continue to persecute “those who can bring an alternative vision to the public, such as political and indigenous leaders, members of the Catholic Church, activists and journalists.” In this context – he stressed – “the restrictions on civil space remain, with repeated arbitrary detentions of people exercising their fundamental freedoms”.