Nicaraguan National Police confirms transfer of Monsignor Álvarez and other priests to Managua

Concern over the arrest of priests in Nicaragua 2:27 (CNN Spanish) — Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, along with 7 other priests and seminarians who had been held in the curia since 16 days ago, they were transferred to Managua during an operation carried out this Friday morning, as part of the investigation process that is being followed, the Nicaraguan National Police reported in a statement published on their social networks. Without detailing the reason for the arrest, the Police assures that the religious persisted in “destabilizing and provocative” activities. Earlier, the Diocese of Matagalpa had reported on its Facebook account that the Police entered the episcopal curia, where Álvarez and other priests and seminarians were. “The people who remained in the curia-house were transferred, with respect and observance of their rights, to the city of Managua, for legal inquiries,” the statement said. According to the police statement, the Bishop of Matagalpa is under house arrest and the other religious were taken to the Directorate of Judicial Assistance in Managua. “The Bishop remains in house protection in this capital city and has been able to meet with his relatives this morning. The other people who were transferred to Managua continue to carry out the respective procedures in the Directorate of Judicial Assistance, the statement detailed. The Police reported that Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes was able to visit Alvarez “and they talked extensively.” CNN tried to get a comment from the Archdiocese of Managua, but we are still waiting for a response to our calls. The Police also reported that “in the house-curia of Matagalpa, the vicar Monsignor Oscar Escoto remains as an ecclesial authority and without any police or mobility restrictions.”