#BreakingNews 2nd Bishop Arrested in Nicaragua as Catholic Persecution Continues - Please Pray for Mons. Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega, Age 63

Catholic Persecution in Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega's police arrested a bishop
Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega, 63, is the second senior leader of the Catholic Church to be imprisoned by the Ortega regime. He is the bishop of the Diocese of Siuna, Monsignor Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega , who was arrested on Thursday, December 21, 2023, by the Nicaraguan Police. At 63 years old, Mora is the second senior leader of the Catholic Church arrested by the Daniel Ortega regime in an escalation of actions against the religious institutions.
Monsignor Isidoro Mora Ortega was intercepted on his way to the Santa Cruz parish in La Cruz de Río Grande, where he was scheduled to officiate a religious ceremony for 230 children.
His arrest occurred after leading a mass in which he highlighted the support and prayer of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN) towards Monsignor Rolando Álvarez , bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for alleged treason. and stripped of their civil rights and nationality.

In his homily, the bishop of Siuna highlighted the value of the Diocese of Matagalpa, and invited faith and perseverance despite adversity. This new arrest is part of a context of growing tension and violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua, in which 13 priests, except Bishop Álvarez, were detained and later sent to Rome after an agreement with the Vatican.

The Catholic Church in Nicaragua since 2018 has faced 667 attacks according to the study “Nicaragua, a persecuted church?” prepared by Martha Molina. Here it is highlighted that 2023 has been particularly hostile, with 205 attacks until August, exceeding the total number of the previous year. Additionally, at least 151 church members have been forced into exile or expelled from the country, including 83 nuns and 58 priests.
Ortega ordered the closure of a religious NGO linked to three Americans
On Wednesday, the Nicaraguan government canceled the legal status of ten NGOs, including an evangelical woman who, according to the police, was a “ front ” for money laundering and for whom three Americans are being investigated.
The “Puerta de la Montaña” organization and the nine NGOs failed to comply with the legislation and “did not report for periods of between one and up to 12 years their financial statements according to fiscal periods, with detailed breakdowns of income and expenses ,” said a Ministry resolution. 
Americans John and Jacob Britton Hancock, respectively president and member of Puerta de la Montaña, arrived in Nicaragua in 2013 with the financing of their compatriot Bruce Wagner, to establish themselves as an evangelical religious organization.
Among these canceled organizations are others of a religious nature such as the Apostolic Associations Acts 22:16, the Berean Restoration International Ministry, the Thompson International Bible Institute, Bridge of Hope International and Christian Church International Ministry Growing in Grace.
Nicaragua toughened the laws on NGOs after the 2018 protests, which in three months of street blockades and clashes between opponents and government supporters left more than 300 dead, according to the UN.
Among the almost 3,500 organizations closed since 2018 are several linked to the Catholic Church , such as the order of the Franciscan Friars Minor in October and the Society of Jesus in August, after confiscating the Jesuit university of Managua under accusations of "terrorism", as well as a residence for priests adjacent to the campus.

(With information from AFP) Source: Infobae