7 exiled Nicaraguan priests arrive in Rome as Ortega regime continues to target church

(OSV News) -- The Vatican confirmed Aug. 9 that seven priests expelled from Nicaragua arrived in Rome Aug. 8. They had been detained in an assault on a diocese headed by an outspoken bishop as the Ortega regime continued debilitating the Catholic Church and forcing its critics into exile.

The seven priests left the country Aug. 7 and arrived in Rome the following evening, where they were received by Vatican officials, according to an Aug. 8 statement from the Nicaraguan government.

The were detained in a wave of arrests, mostly targeting the Diocese of Matagalpa, where exiled Bishop Rolando Álvarez is still the recognized church leader.

The government statement did not name the exiled priests, but Vatican News identified the churchmen as Msgr. Ulises René Vega, Msgr. Edgar Sacasa, Father Jairo Pravia, Father Victor Godoy, Father Marlon Velásquez, Father Harvin Torrez and Father Silvio José Romero.

Vatican News reported Aug. 6 that Father Tórrez, the rector of San Luis Gonzaga Major Seminary of Philosophy and parish priest of Santa María de Guadalupe Church, was taken to prison Aug. 5. According to parishioners quoted by the independent national daily La Prensa, Lesbia Rayo Balmaceda, a lay collaborator of a different parish church, was also detained.

Father Frutos Valle, 80, was arrested July 27, but was subsequently released and has returned to his parish in the Diocese of Estelí, the independent news organization 100% Noticias reported. Father Frutos serves as "ad omnia" executor in the diocese -- where Bishop Álvarez is apostolic administrator -- allowing him to administer ordinary functions of pastoral governance, but not functions reserved to the bishop.

The fates of two other priests, a friar and a lay Catholic are unknown. Father Francisco Tercero was reportedly incarcerated in the Modelo prison on accusations of a sexual offense, according to 100% Noticias. Father Raúl Villegas was a Mexican national serving in the Diocese of Matagalpa. His whereabouts, as well as Friar Ramón Morras' and Salvador de las Calabazas' are unknown.

The exiled clergy had been held in a Managua seminary, but were taken to the airport Aug. 7 and put on commercial flights to Rome, according to media reports.

On Aug. 6 the Pontifical Mission Societies USA issued an appeal to pray for Nicaraguan clergy.

"In these challenging times, it is crucial for us to unite in prayer for the Church in Nicaragua. Let us pray for the safety and strength of the priests, deacons, and all members of the clergy who are courageously upholding their faith amidst persecution," Ines San Martin, the pontifical organization's vice president of communications, wrote.

"Our prayers can offer them solace and support, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggle," she said.

The ruling Sandinista regime in Nicaragua has unleashed multiple waves of mass arrests against priests, with police and paramilitaries grabbing priests and prelates -- often from their parish churches and parish residences -- holding them incommunicado, then exiling them to the United States or the Vatican. A wave of arrests over Christmas 2023 swept up at least 12 priests in the Archdiocese of Managua. The priests were exiled to the Vatican Jan. 14, along with Bishop Álvarez -- who had been convicted on spurious conspiracy charges.

Many priests have been forced to flee Nicaragua, while others have been denied reentry after traveling abroad for work, conferences or missions activities. Independent news outlet Confidencial counts 46 priests being exiled -- with a total of more than 200 clergy residing outside the country, but unable to return.

Haydeé Castillo, Nicaraguan human rights activist issued an appeal to Pope Francis on Aug. 6, as reported by 100% Noticias: "We urge your mediation for freedom in Nicaragua. Save your church," he said to the pope.

Nicaraguan priests in exile and lay Catholics lament that Nicaraguan faithful are left without pastors, unable to attend Mass.

"The Diocese of Matagalpa practically no longer has any clergy. We've been expelled, pressured and forced to flee. Parishes are on their own," an exiled priest, familiar with the diocese, told OSV News.

The Vatican did not report on the fate of those abducted.