The Catholic Church Is the Final Obstacle for Nicaragua’s Brutal Dictatorship

Daniel Ortega and his wife have waged war against the church. America should defend the country’s beleaguered believers.

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Nicaragua’s president Daniel Ortega, standing with his wife Rosario Murillo, speaks to the media upon their arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, January 28, 2015.

Randall Campos/Reuters

Last month, Nicaragua’s authoritarian regime banned the Jesuits, the Society of Jesus, from the country and illegally seized the assets of the prominent Catholic religious order. Such dramatic action against the church, its organizations, and its servants is, unfortunately, not unusual in Nicaragua today.

In February, Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega expelled 222 political prisoners to the United States. One of them refused to board the plane. Bishop Rolando Alvarez demanded to stay in Nicaragua and continue serving his flock. One day later, he was convicted of “treason,” without evidence or a trial, and sentenced to 26 years in prison.

DC

About the Author

David Curry

David Curry is the president and CEO of Global Christian Relief, a watchdog organization focused on the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.

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