Two more Nicaraguan priests arrested, exiled to Rome

August 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica’s at the Vatican is seen March 24, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica’s at the Vatican is seen March 24, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) (Lola Gomez)

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY CNS – The Nicaraguan government arrested two priests who were then exiled to Rome, shortly after a group of seven priests was sent to Rome earlier in the month.

The priests, identified by Vatican News as Father Leonel Balmaceda, a parish priest and seminary staff member from the Diocese of Estelí, and Father Denis Martínez, vicar of the cathedral of Matagalpa, were arrested Aug. 10 and 11. The two priests were then expelled from the country and sent to Rome, Vatican News reported.

Father Martínez belongs to the Diocese of Matagalpa, whose head, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, was arrested in August 2022 and spent more than 500 days in custody before being exiled to Rome in January along with Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna and more than a dozen priests.

The Vatican confirmed Aug. 9 that seven priests from the dioceses of Matagalpa and Estelí who were arrested at the beginning of August had been exiled to Rome.

The Nicaraguan government also announced Aug. 19 in its official newspaper its decision to outlaw 1,500 nonprofit organizations, many of them religious groups, under the pretense of failing to submit financial statements. Among the shuttered organizations listed were a local Caritas office and several Catholic religious congregations. The Nicaraguan government is expected to seize their properties.

According to an investigative report cited by Vatican News, 245 Catholic religious men and women have been forced into exile or have been expelled from the country since widespread protests began in Nicaragua in 2018.

Several priests and dozens of political prisoners were sent to the United States in October 2022 and February 2023, while other groups of priests were sent to Rome in October 2023 and January 2024.

While apparently not under any restrictions, the Nicaraguan bishops and priests in Rome have kept a low profile.



VATICAN CITY CNS – The Nicaraguan government arrested two priests who were then exiled to Rome, shortly after a group of seven priests was sent to Rome earlier in the month.

The priests, identified by Vatican News as Father Leonel Balmaceda, a parish priest and seminary staff member from the Diocese of Estelí, and Father Denis Martínez, vicar of the cathedral of Matagalpa, were arrested Aug. 10 and 11. The two priests were then expelled from the country and sent to Rome, Vatican News reported.

Father Martínez belongs to the Diocese of Matagalpa, whose head, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, was arrested in August 2022 and spent more than 500 days in custody before being exiled to Rome in January along with Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna and more than a dozen priests.

The Vatican confirmed Aug. 9 that seven priests from the dioceses of Matagalpa and Estelí who were arrested at the beginning of August had been exiled to Rome.

The Nicaraguan government also announced Aug. 19 in its official newspaper its decision to outlaw 1,500 nonprofit organizations, many of them religious groups, under the pretense of failing to submit financial statements. Among the shuttered organizations listed were a local Caritas office and several Catholic religious congregations. The Nicaraguan government is expected to seize their properties.

According to an investigative report cited by Vatican News, 245 Catholic religious men and women have been forced into exile or have been expelled from the country since widespread protests began in Nicaragua in 2018.

Several priests and dozens of political prisoners were sent to the United States in October 2022 and February 2023, while other groups of priests were sent to Rome in October 2023 and January 2024.

While apparently not under any restrictions, the Nicaraguan bishops and priests in Rome have kept a low profile.


Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Impact of MCG’s annual gala allows for essential support to continue
The 29th annual gala for the Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton, was a time for supporters ...

Catholic Charities USA’s Kerry Robinson visits Trenton
Staffers of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, ...

Cardinal Martino, former Vatican envoy to U.N. dies at 91
Cardinal Renato Martino, the former Vatican observer at the United Nations...

By seeking better life, migrants teach hope, determination, Pope says
Migrants demonstrate what hope is, and the Catholic Church...

Pope to open Holy Door at Rome prison at beginning of Jubilee 2025
Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to inaugurate the Holy Year...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.