Duval Times

Recent information indicates that Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos has been a victim of torture while unjustly detained by the criminal and illegitimate regime of Ortega-Murillo in Nicaragua. Bishop Álvarez is a pillar of faith for the Catholic community in Nicaragua due to his unwavering defense of the Catholic Church. Earlier this year, the regime gave Bishop Álvarez the option to forcibly exile himself abroad and renounce his Nicaraguan nationality, but he refused to leave his homeland.

In response to this situation, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to Pope Francis urging His Holiness to call for the immediate release of Bishop Álvarez. Rubio writes, "Humbly, I ask that you intercede for the release of Bishop Álvarez and the right to religious freedom for all Catholics in Nicaragua. I strive to follow your advice to take refuge in the Word of God and pray for those in Nicaragua who are persecuted for their faith."

The full text of the letter in Spanish can be found below:

Your Holiness,

I address you with humility for the grace and hope that our church invokes. With this spirit, I respectfully write to you in my capacity as a U.S. senator and as a person of faith to express my deepest concern for the unjust treatment that Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos is receiving in Nicaragua. Your Holiness, allow me to convey with all my respect and concern the inhumane treatment that Bishop Álvarez is enduring and my sincere wish that you intensify your efforts to achieve his immediate and unconditional release.

Since his ordination in 1994, Bishop Álvarez has been a faithful shepherd of the Catholic faith and the essential dignity of every human life in Nicaragua. Bishop Álvarez has used his ministry to demand respect for the fundamental human rights granted by God in his country, which led the Ortega regime to see the Catholic Church as a threat to its illegitimate government. The regime has taken steps to prevent faithful communities from celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, has censored Catholic radio stations, and has detained Bishop Álvarez.

Earlier this year, the regime offered Bishop Álvarez the opportunity to join the 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who were forced into exile in the United States if he accepted to renounce his Nicaraguan citizenship. It is a testament to the resilience of Catholics worldwide that Bishop Álvarez rejected this offer to bravely continue supporting those Nicaraguans who remain unjustly detained. I appreciate your own words of support for Bishop Álvarez after the Angelus in August 2022, where you expressed your "concern and pain for the situation that has developed in Nicaragua."

I am saddened that the situation in Nicaragua has not improved. In February 2023, Bishop Álvarez was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison on fictitious charges of alleged treason. Since then, evidence has emerged suggesting that Bishop Álvarez has suffered torture at the hands of the Ortega regime. Humbly, I ask that you intercede for the release of Bishop Álvarez and the right to religious freedom for all Catholics in Nicaragua. I strive to follow your advice to take refuge in the Word of God and pray for those in Nicaragua who are persecuted for their faith.

Your Holiness, I pray for you and the Holy See in your deliberations. I thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to hear my concerns.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio

The article above reports that Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos has been subjected to torture while unjustly detained by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua. Bishop Álvarez is known for his unwavering defense of the Catholic Church and refusal to leave his homeland despite pressure from the regime. In response to this situation, Senator Marco Rubio has written a letter to Pope Francis, urging him to call for the immediate release of Bishop Álvarez and the protection of religious freedom for all Catholics in Nicaragua.

Rubio's letter emphasizes Bishop Álvarez's dedication to the Catholic faith and his advocacy for human rights in Nicaragua. It highlights the Ortega regime's attempts to suppress the Catholic Church and prevent the celebration of religious rituals. The letter also mentions that earlier this year, the regime offered Bishop Álvarez the opportunity to go into exile in the United States, but he refused, choosing instead to continue supporting fellow Nicaraguans who are unjustly detained.

Rubio expresses his concern for the inhumane treatment Bishop Álvarez is enduring and calls on Pope Francis to intensify efforts for his release. The senator also mentions that evidence has emerged suggesting that Bishop Álvarez has been subjected to torture. Rubio concludes his letter by expressing his admiration for the Pope's support for Bishop Álvarez in the past and reiterating his request for intervention.

The article does not provide any additional information about the situation in Nicaragua or the response of Pope Francis. It solely focuses on Rubio's letter and his appeal to the Pope.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-insta-al-papa-francisco-a-pedir-liberacion-inmediata-del-obispo-alvarez/