Bishop David J. Malloy, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, recently released a statement condemning the continuous repression of religious freedom in Nicaragua.

“As we continue to celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection during this Easter season, I reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the bishops, priests, faithful, and all men and women of goodwill in Nicaragua, who are suffering an intensification of the Nicaraguan Government’s religious persecution,” Malloy said. 

"I call on the United States Government and the entire international community to continue to work for the release of Bishop (Rolando) Álvarez, and for a restoration of peace and the rule of law in Nicaragua. May our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States and Nicaragua, embrace her children during this difficult time, and illumine them with the light of the risen Christ,” he added.

Reports have surfaced charging President Daniel Ortega with banning outdoor Holy Week celebrations and processions, including the traditional Good Friday and Easter processions, in Nicaragua. Ortega cited security concerns as the reason for the ban. 

The squashing of those events came on. the heels of Álvarez, a bishop in Matagalpa, being sentenced to 26 years in prison, stripped of his citizenship, and fined heavily on charges of treason, spreading false news, and undermining national integrity in February, according to Crux. 

“In addition to a ban on traditional Holy Week outdoor celebrations and processions, the faithful have endured consistent police harassment in churches throughout Nicaragua, confiscation of property, as well as the expulsion from the country of two women religious and a priest, the latter for calling for the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who languishes in prison after being unjustly sentenced to 26 years in prison and stripped of his citizenship in February,” Malloy said. 

Reports can be found detailing the carrying out of abusive and obstructive surveillance, prohibiting public expressions of faith, and even expelling members of the church from the country, the USCCB said.

Under the reign of Ortega, the Nicaraguan government in recent years has arrested and imprisoned several Catholic leaders, including at least one bishop and multiple priests. It is surmised that those religious leaders were tortured while they were detained. The Ortega regime has also been repressing Catholic radio and television stations and has forced Catholic religious orders, such as the Missionaries of Charity, to leave the country, the Catholic News Agency reported. 

“Despite these extreme hardships, the Nicaraguan faithful, in union with their bishops and priests, has resiliently borne witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection, as they attended Easter celebrations in record numbers," Malloy said.