Father Edwing Román, former pastor of the San Miguel Arcángel church in Masaya, joined the voices of opponents, human rights defenders, the international community and some religious priests in demanding the Nicaraguan regime release Monsignor Rolando Alvarez, Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, kidnapped by the Police.
“Where and how is he? It’s a hermeticism, they don’t have to keep it kidnapped. He is a bishop, a pastor, who has the right to remain in his pastoral mission, guiding the people of God entrusted to him, “said the priest through his Twitter account.
In turn, Román demanded the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo immediately release the bishop. “Let Monsignor Rolando Álvarez be released! We fear for his life».
The also apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí was kidnapped in the early hours of August 19, after Ortega police raided the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa, where the prelate was locked up for 16 days together with priests and laity because the dictatorship ordered that he be denied access. exit.
Related news: “Where is my brother Monsignor Rolando Álvarez?” asks Bishop of Costa Rica
This Friday, September 16, the religious celebrates 28 days of “house arrest”, as the police institution under the orders of the Ortega and Murillo dictatorship has described the arbitrary detention.
So far it is unknown where Monsignor Álvarez is being held, the only thing that the Police have reported is that he is in “home shelter” at the home of relatives.
The Ortega regime has indicated that the arbitrary detention of Álvarez was to “recover normality for the citizens and families of Matagalpa.”
Along with the priest, the Police keep five priests, two seminarians and a lay person behind bars from the Judicial Assistance Directorate (DAJ), in Managua, who accompanied the bishop for 16 days inside the Episcopal Curia that was besieged by the police and paramilitaries.
Where is Monsignor Álvarez being held?
Although it is not officially known where Monsignor Álvarez is, a source revealed to Article 66 that the priest is at the home of some relatives, near the Cargill company, on the road to Masaya.
«The house is located about 100 meters from the Cargill company, in the Los Madrigales region, it is a narrow road. There is a limit, it is the only elegant and large house in that area, there are three or four riot police, who are relieved at six in the afternoon. Every day a patrol full of police and cars with dark windows leaves, “added the informant.
Related news: Cenidh demands information on the physical condition of Monsignor Álvarez, after 40 days of confinement
Given the violation of the human rights of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, the European Parliament approved on September 15 a resolution with 538 votes in favor, 16 against and 28 abstentions in which they urge the dictator Ortega release the prelate and the priests arrested during the attacks on the Church.
Since 2018, the Ortega dictatorship has attacked the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, calling it a “coup leader” and “terrorist.” In this 20222, the religious institution has experienced the greatest repression that it would have experienced in the country. The regime keeps nine priests behind bars, two of them convicted of common crimes.
