U.S. Bishops’ International Justice and Peace Chairman on the Status of Bishop Alvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua

WASHINGTON – News emerged last week on the status of Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, who has been detained by the government of Nicaragua and imprisoned since February. Upon confirmation of the facts of the bishop’s status, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued the following statement:  

“We received news last week of yet another breakdown in negotiations to free Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua—unjustly sentenced to twenty-six years in prison and stripped of his citizenship in February. I urge the United States and the international community to continue praying for the bishop and advocating for his release.

“I particularly commend the recent Interamerican Court of Human Rights’ ruling mandating the immediate release of Bishop Alvarez. The consensus from the international community is clear: the continued incarceration of Bishop Alvarez is unjust and must end as soon as possible.

“May Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Nicaragua and the United States, illumine the hearts of all decisionmakers, and may her maternal mantle protect the Church in Nicaragua.”

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