The Bishop of Matagalpa, Msgr. Rolando José Álvarez Lagos has been being under threat from the police in Nicaragua for allegedly trying to “organize violent groups” in order to disrupt the peace and destabilize the government.
Bishop Álvarez, threatened with jail, is one of the most critical bishops against the regime for the abuses and human rights violations that are being committed.
In a press release published on 5 August, the Nicaraguan Police accused the high authorities of the Catholic Church in Matagalpa, and specifically Msgr. Álvarez, of “using the media and social networks” to try to “organize violent groups, inciting them to carry out acts of hatred against the population, causing an atmosphere of anxiety and disorder, altering the peace and harmony in the community”.
Such actions have the “purpose of destabilizing the State of Nicaragua and attacking the constitutional authorities,” the letter continues.
In this sense, the police of the Ortega regime announced that it has already “begun an investigation process, in order to determine the criminal responsibility of the people involved.”
The statement adds that “the people under investigation will remain in their homes.”
Bishop Álvarez, in addition to six priests and six lay people, has been surrounded by dozens of riot police since Wednesday, August 3, and has been held in the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa since last Friday, the day they were prevented from leaving to celebrate Mass.
The Ortega regime also ordered the violent closure of 8 Catholic radio stations from Monday,1 August.
In a video posted on social media, Bishop Álvarez said during a recent homily that he does not know “what” he may be being investigated for, but that the police must “be making their own guesses.”
“Here we are gathered and held. We are always with inner strength, peace in our hearts, and the joy that the Risen One gives us, the joy of the one who tells us courage, it is me, do not be afraid”, said the Prelate.
He also asked the faithful not to be afraid and to keep hope alive in Christ.
“Remember dear brothers, fear paralyzes, self-buried despair and hate is the death of the heart. Hate is answered with love, despair with living hope, and fear with the strength and courage that the glorious and risen Christ, the Christ of the Church, gives us,” Bishop Álvarez continued.
Finally, he said that “we entrust the six priests and the six lay faithful who are with us held in our Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa to the Most Holy Virgin.”
“We are wanting, from our poor and limited strength, to carry this cross, to renounce ourselves,” he added.