In a significant escalation of tensions between the Nicaraguan government and the Catholic Church, police have detained approximately a dozen priests over the past week, underlining a broader crackdown on religious freedom.

The arrests, some involving high-profile church figures and elderly clergy, underscore a deepening conflict with religious leaders in Nicaragua, the Christian Post reported.

The detentions center on the Diocese of Matagalpa, where the notable Bishop Rolando Álvarez, sentenced to 26 years and exiled in January, previously presided. These actions follow a troubling pattern of government antagonism toward religious officials who are seen as opposition figures.

Last week, police began arresting clergy across the region. Father Frutos Constantino Valle Salmerón, aged 79 and suffering from chronic health issues, was detained on July 26. His arrest occurred after attempting to ordain three deacons without explicit government permission, illustrating the tight control over religious activities.

Senior Clergy Member Develops Health Complications Following Detention

Complications arose following Frutos' detention; he fell ill due to his existing health conditions. Consequently, authorities transferred him to house arrest, highlighting the precarious health of some detained clergy.

Subsequently, Fathers Ulises René Vega Matamoros and Edgard Sacasa from the same diocese were taken into custody on August 1. They, alongside other religious figures detained over the following days, were moved to a seminary in Managua, which has been adapted as a holding center for many detained clergy.

Among those arrested was Father Jarvin Tórrez, another parish priest from Matagalpa, who was detained shortly after his colleagues. His detention typifies the ongoing arrests targeting the diocese's clerics.

Continued Detentions Highlight Government Control Over Religious Practices

Additional detentions continued into early August, with Father Raúl Francisco Villegas and Vicar Maron Velásquez Flores also being apprehended. These names add to a growing list of religious leaders who find themselves enveloped in the government's widening net of repression.

Each of these clergy members notably hails from Matagalpa's Diocese, which has been a significant focal point for government scrutiny. Bishop Álvarez's history as the diocese's leader and his subsequent sentencing and exile marks a severe rift between the government and the Catholic Church.

Before these events, the diocese consisted of 70 priests, including 57 nationals and 13 foreign clergy. However, due to ongoing conflict and persecution, 30 priests are now in exile, and four have passed away under distressing circumstances.

Global Human Rights Advocates Decry Leadership Detentions

The international community has taken notice of these developments, sharply criticizing the Nicaraguan government's actions. Mervyn Thomas, founding president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), expressed deep concern over these unwarranted detentions.

"The continued detention and arrests of religious leaders by the Nicaraguan government are both unwarranted and unconscionable," Thomas stated, highlighting the injustice faced by the religious community.

He further urged the international community to hold the Nicaraguan government accountable: "We emphasize to the Nicaraguan government that the ongoing crackdown on independent civil society, relentless targeting of religious leaders, and continual violations of the right to freedom of religion are unacceptable. More must be done to hold President Danie Ortega, his wife, and their regime to account for the deteriorating human rights situation in the country."

International Condemnation and Calls for Action Grow

The U.S. State Department has officially labeled Nicaragua as engaging in severe violations of religious freedom, aligning with CSW's perspective and other human rights observers. This designation comes as over 200 religious figures have either fled or been forced out of the country since the onset of these conflicts.

The overarching picture in Nicaragua is one of a deteriorating relationship between the state and the religious institutions that once played a central role in its societal fabric. As the government continues to press its advantage against perceived opposition, the plight of religious leaders and the broader implications for civil liberties remains a crucial, ongoing issue.

In conclusion, the recent arrests and house arrests of at least 13 Catholic leaders, including elderly and ill priests, in Nicaragua underscore an intensifying crackdown on the Catholic Church and its affiliates. This series of detentions reflects a broader pattern of religious freedom violations and has elicited strong condemnation from international rights groups. The global community is called upon to respond more robustly to these violations, which have led to significant exile and distress among the clergy in Nicaragua.