The Mexican Bishops’ Conference denounced the 26-year sentence imposed on the Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos. The religious demand that the Ortega-Murillo regime be released.
“We express our concern about what happened in Nicaragua with our brother who has been imprisoned by the authoritarian regime of President Daniel Ortega, giving him a 26-year prison sentence for raising his voice in the face of injustice. May the merciful God fill his people with strength and consolation”, refer the bishops of Mexico.
Related news: Bishops of Panama show solidarity with Monsignor Álvarez after a 26-year prison sentence
«As a church in Mexico we unite in prayer asking God the Father to convert the hearts of those who govern to live in peace and religious freedom. Freedom for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, telling the truth is not a crime!
The hierarchs cited the words offered by Pope Francis this past Sunday in support of the Nicaraguan religious leader, imprisoned by the Ortega dictatorship. “I cannot help but remember with concern the Bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, whom I love very much, sentenced to 26 years in prison,” said the pontiff.
After showing his solidarity with Bishop Álvarez, the Pope reiterated to the Ortega regime that it open up to a dialogue process. “Let us also ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, to open the hearts of political leaders and all citizens who sincerely seek peace, which is born of truth, justice, freedom and love and is achieved through through the patient practice of dialogue,” he said.
The justice of Daniel Ortega sentenced this Friday, February 10, the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, under a sentence of 26 years in prison. This after being transferred to the Jorge Navarro prison system known as “La Modelo”.
Monsignor Álvarez is the first Nicaraguan bishop imprisoned by the Sandinista dictatorship and accused of crimes of treason against the homeland, for allegedly violating Law 1055, Law of Sovereignty. This legal tool was approved to persecute opponents of the regime.
The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, the Cardinal of Honduras, Óscar Andrés Rodríguez; Pope Francis; Personalities from international politics and democratic countries have spoken out in rejection of the decision of the Nicaraguan dictatorship to sentence the Bishop of Matagalpa in an express summary trial.
