Human rights activists in Nicaragua expressed concern on Monday regarding the wellbeing of 80-year-old Bishop Emeritus Juan Abelardo Mata, who was recently “released” after a week of detention by the regime’s police.
Questions linger about the bishop’s alleged release, as activists noted that he was still unaccounted for as of Monday morning, prompting fears he might be forcibly removed from the country.
Mata, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, serves as the bishop emeritus of Estelí. A report from ACI Prensa stated that Mata had disclosed his detention by Nicaraguan authorities on June 29.
This arrest followed closely after Mata conducted a Mass in which he urged attendees to pray for the Catholics in Nicaragua facing persecution, specifically referencing priests who have been expelled by the ruling communists, including Monsignor Rolando Álvarez. The situation is emblematic of a long-standing campaign of repression against Christians orchestrated by dictator Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua.
On the following Saturday, after Mata’s detention, the U.S. State Department called for the bishop’s immediate release and criticized the Ortega administration for its treatment of Christians in the country.
Shortly after the State Department’s statement, Ortega’s Interior Ministry released a declaration claiming that Mata was undergoing a “necessary investigation” related to protests and family connections that supposedly conflicted with his role as a priest. They asserted that he had been “returned to his home” and was in “perfect health.”
“Bishop Emeritus Abelardo Mata has issued a statement addressing various incidents of national law violations known to the Nicaraguan public,” part of the statement read.
“Upon returning to his official residence, Bishop Mata noted that he was treated with respect and consideration by our investigative agencies,” concluded the statement.
However, Church officials and activists in Nicaragua have raised doubts about the credibility of the regime’s claims, labeling the information regarding Mata’s release as “false.”
Nicaraguan activist Martha Patricia Molina told ACI Prensa that the regime’s statement was likely a response to the demands from President Trump’s administration regarding the bishop’s welfare and religious freedom. “This should not be taken at face value. The bishop is still missing,” she insisted.
Molina, who has documented the persecution faced by Christians under the Ortega regime, recounted the last time she saw Bishop Mata, stating he shared a photo with her during the Eucharist, and mentioned that he appeared to be under surveillance.
“Some say he is at home, but there has been no verification. They claim he is safe, but we need urgent proof of his wellbeing,” she added.
Molina emphasized, “He is not well, and it’s unlikely a dictatorship would treat someone it has kidnapped with compassion.”
Exiled activist Gonzalo Carrion echoed her concerns, stating that Ortega’s government harbors resentment toward Bishop Mata for his remarks during a recent Mass. He noted that Mata has never submitted to the regime’s authority and called for verification of the bishop’s safety.
“The arbitrary nature of these actions means there aren’t clear explanations. If circumstances arise that risk the regime’s stability, they may act accordingly,” Carrion expressed.
The regime led by Ortega and co-president Rosario Murillo has been embroiled in a harsh campaign against the Nicaraguan Catholic Church, retaliating for its support of the anti-communist protests that erupted in 2018.
Persecution of Christians has escalated dramatically since 2022, with numerous arrests, instances of torture, and expulsions of church members, as well as the confiscation of church property and the closure of Catholic institutions across Nicaragua. The ruling communists have also disrupted and banned hundreds of religious events.
