The International Republican Institute (IRI) recognized the mission and life of the Nicaraguan bishop Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos. The prelate was awarded the “Liberty 2024” award for his outstanding contribution to religious freedom in the Central American country. The award was received by Father Benito Enrique Martínez Gamboa on behalf of the Catholic hierarch.
Antonio Garrastazu, director of Latin America at IRI, explained that the award to Monsignor Rolando Álvarez “represents a very important symbol for resistance and contribution to freedom of religion around the world, particularly in Nicaragua.”
Related news: Father Enrique Martínez, exiled to the US, will receive the Libertad 2024 award on behalf of Bishop Álvarez
«We are here to celebrate the life of Monsignor (Rolando) Álvarez, for his resistance, for raising the issue of the rights of freedom of the press and religion around the world and in Nicaragua, in particular… We see the issue of freedom of religion as an issue of human rights, the right of the individual to exercise his or her own faith,” he highlighted.
For his part, priest Martínez spoke a few words on behalf of Bishop Álvarez. His intervention was a clear criticism of Nicaraguan Catholic leaders. «In the name of the Church in Nicaragua, in the name of all Nicaraguans, let us not add to the list of countries, of Governments, of institutions, of Episcopal Conferences of Latin America and the world, of figures who in this difficult and bitter hour that we live “Nicaraguans have turned their eyes in another direction in a complicit and cowardly silence from which we would have liked the bishops that make up the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua to be exempt,” he questioned.
The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 15, in one of the rooms of the House of Representatives, in Washington, United States. The award was presented to Father Martínez by Senator Marco Rubio.
The IRI Freedom Prize was established in 1995 to recognize people who have fought to promote freedom and democracy in their countries and around the world.
Bishop banished to Rome
Father Enrique Martínez Gamboa, parish priest of the Santa Martha Church, of the Archdiocese of Managua, was kidnapped on the afternoon of Thursday, October 13, 2022. On January 9, 2023, he was exiled to the United States along with 221 other political prisoners.
Monsignor Álvarez was banished to the Vatican on January 14, 2024 after more than 500 days in the prisons of the dictatorship. The regime sentenced him to 26 years and four months in prison, took away his nationality and violated all of his civil and political rights.
The bishop twice resisted the exile of the dictatorship, but finally gave in to an order from Pope Francis for him to leave Nicaragua and protect his physical integrity. The prelate was one of the most uncomfortable voices for the regime, which earned him persecution, prison and exile.
