Nicaragua is drawing international criticism, including from U.S. bishops, over alleged continuous violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua.

“As we continue to celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection during this Easter season, I reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the bishops, priests, faithful, and all men and women of goodwill in Nicaragua, who are suffering an intensification of the Nicaraguan Government’s religious persecution,” Bishop David J. Malloy, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, said in a recent release. 

“In addition to a ban on traditional Holy Week outdoor celebrations and processions, the faithful have endured consistent police harassment in churches throughout Nicaragua, confiscation of property, as well as the expulsion from the country of two women religious and a priest, the latter for calling for the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who languishes in prison after being unjustly sentenced to 26 years in prison and stripped of his citizenship in February,” Malloy continued. 

He was referencing recently reported news suggesting that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, citing security concerns, banned outdoor Holy Week celebrations and processions, including the traditional Good Friday and Easter processions. The crackdown on public displays of faith comes just months after the imprisonment of Álvarez, bishop of Matagalpa. Álvarez was sentenced to 26 years in prison, stripped of his citizenship, and fined heavily on charges of treason, spreading false news, and undermining national integrity on Feb. 10, Crux said in a report. 

It has been broadly reported that the Nicaraguan government has been carrying out abusive and obstructive surveillance, prohibiting public expressions of faith, and even expelling members of the church from the country, the USCCB statement said.

Under Ortega, Nicaraguan authorities have arrested and imprisoned several Catholic leaders, including at least one bishop and multiple priests, in recent years. While detained, it has been said that the religious leaders were tortured. The Ortega regime has also been repressing Catholic radio and television stations and has forced Catholic religious orders, such as the Missionaries of Charity, out of the country, the Catholic News Agency reported. 

“Despite these extreme hardships, the Nicaraguan faithful, in union with their bishops and priests, has resiliently borne witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection, as they attended Easter celebrations in record numbers," Malloy said. 

He urged world leaders to stand up against the repression.

”I call on the United States Government and the entire international community to continue to work for the release of Bishop Álvarez, and for a restoration of peace and the rule of law in Nicaragua. May our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States and Nicaragua, embrace her children during this difficult time, and illumine them with the light of the risen Christ,” Malloy said.