{"id":2636577,"date":"2026-07-28T10:28:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/elderly-roman-catholic-bishop-detained-in-nicaragua-amid-increasing-persecution\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T10:34:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:34:04","slug":"elderly-roman-catholic-bishop-detained-in-nicaragua-amid-increasing-persecution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/elderly-roman-catholic-bishop-detained-in-nicaragua-amid-increasing-persecution\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderly Roman Catholic Bishop Detained in Nicaragua Amid Increasing Persecution"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Felderly-roman-catholic-bishop-detained-in-nicaragua-amid-increasing-persecution%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636577&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An elderly Roman Catholic bishop, Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, was detained in Nicaragua amid rising government hostility toward Christians. Although he retired in 2020, he was invited to officiate a service on June 28, during which he openly addressed religious persecution in Nicaragua, mentioning leaders who had been forced into exile or placed under house arrest. Authorities reportedly recorded his homilies and prayers via spies in churches and reported them to police. Mata Guevara, who has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-claims-mass-shootings-result-from-disaffection-racism-and-misogyny-demands-gun-control\/\" title=\"Obama Claims Mass Shootings Result From \u2018Disaffection, Racism, And Misogyny,\u2019 Demands Gun Control\">health issues including<\/a> a pacemaker and cancer, was detained on June 29 and held at El Chipote Prison, then released briefly before being re-arrested on June 30. His whereabouts remain uncertain, with reports suggesting he is not at his home and is under surveillance. The U.S. State Department condemned his detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release, highlighting ongoing religious repression in Nicaragua under the rule of Daniel Ortega and rosario Murillo. The country ranks 32nd on Open Doors&#8217; list of nations persecuting Christians, with believers facing surveillance, intimidation, and imprisonment for speaking against the government.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>An elderly Roman Catholic bishop was detained over the course of two days in Nicaragua as the nation\u2019s government becomes increasingly adversarial toward Christians.<\/p>\n<p>Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, the bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Estel\u00ed, retired in 2020 but accepted an invitation to officiate a service on June 28, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/persecution.org\/2026\/07\/10\/authorities-detain-elderly-bishop-in-nicaragua\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from International Christian Concern.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDuring the service, he referred to religious persecution in Nicaragua in his prayers, mentioning recent cases of prominent religious leaders forced into exile or under house arrest,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>The report added that \u201cit is believed these statements were reported by spies in churches who recorded homilies and prayers and reported them to the National Police.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mata Guevara, who has a pacemaker and is a cancer survivor, was then detained by the National Police on the afternoon of June 29.<\/p>\n<p>He was taken to the El Chipote Maximum Security Prison in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.<\/p>\n<p>He was released at 6:45 p.m. that evening, but then arrested on the morning of June 30 and held again through 4 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>The National Catholic Reporter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncronline.org\/news\/us-condemns-detention-nicaraguan-bishop-church-awaits-proof-his-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">claimed<\/a> that Mata Guevara \u201chas given statements regarding various episodes of violation of National Laws, which the Nicaraguan people have known about at different times.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the Nicaraguan government asserted that Mata Guevara was able to return home \u2014 where he would face the threat of constant surveillance \u2014 Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial reported that his whereabouts are still unknown, per the National Catholic Reporter.<\/p>\n<p>Martha Patricia Molina, an attorney who has been exiled from Nicaragua, said via social media on July 4 that \u201cthe bishop IS NOT AT HIS HOME.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe priests who are informed about the case have confirmed this to me,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. State Department\u2019s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs condemned the detainment of Mata Guevara.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nicaraguan Bishop Abelardo Mata who has been arbitrarily detained by the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship,\u201d the agency said on July 4.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c80-year old Bishop Mata poses no threat to the regime and his health is fragile. We further condemn the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship\u2019s continued cruel religious persecution and repression.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, concurred with the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe regime must immediately provide proof that Msgr. Mata is alive, release him immediately and unconditionally, and END, once and for all, its persecution of the Nicaraguan people and its vicious attacks on religious freedom,\u201d the lawmaker said.<\/p>\n<p>Open Doors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opendoors.org\/en-US\/persecution\/countries\/nicaragua\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ranks<\/a> Nicaragua as No. 32 on their World Watch List of nations for Christian persecution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChristians in Nicaragua are increasingly being silenced under the dictatorial rule of the co-presidents Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBelievers who raise their voices against the government over issues including human rights violations have faced surveillance, intimidation and imprisonment.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An elderly Catholic bishop was detained for two days in Nicaragua amid rising government hostility toward Christians. Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, retired bishop of Estel\u00ed, was arrested after officiating a service on June 28, during which he spoke about religious persecution and exile of church leaders. Authorities reportedly recorded his homilies and prayers through spies in churches. Mata Guevara, who has health issues including a pacemaker and cancer, was taken to El Chipote Prison in Managua but released later that evening. He was re-arrested the next morning and held until late afternoon. While officials claim he returned home under surveillance, reports suggest his whereabouts remain unknown. Exiled attorney Martha Patricia Molina confirmed he is not at his residence. The U.S. State Department condemned his detention, calling for his immediate release and criticizing ongoing religious repression under the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Senators like Rick Scott echoed these calls for action to protect religious freedom in Nicaragua<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2636578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Michael-Featured-Image-1245.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33551,83324,36930,23023,43545],"class_list":["post-2636577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-catholic-church","tag-elderly-bishop","tag-human-rights","tag-nicaragua","tag-religious-persecution"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Michael-Featured-Image-1245.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636577"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636581,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636577\/revisions\/2636581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}