US Lawmakers Demand Answers from Nicaragua About Bishop Rolando Alvarez | EWTN News Nightly

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Since 2018, the government in Nicaragua has conducted a crackdown campaign on religious institutions, most notable the Catholic Church. The dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega is targeting clergy members; case in point, Bishop Rolando Alvarez. He fought for fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua and paid a price. The bishop gained international attention when he refused exile to stay with his flock. A court sentenced him to 26 years in prison. Now, American lawmakers are demanding answers from the Ortega regime. No voice is louder on Capitol Hill than that of Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, who chairs a House Global Human Rights Subcommittee. He's written the Nicaraguan dictator demanding to know if Bishop Alvarez is alive. He says, "Repeatedly, I've asked to meet with Bishop Alvarez in prison in Nicaragua. I've written to Ortega several times, reached out, we are very concerned about his welfare, and even his whereabouts." Former US Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, says China is advising President Ortega to crackdown on the Catholic Church. The USCCB called the bishop's arrest "unjust" and in a statement demanded his immediate release. Capitol Hill Correspondent, Erik Rosales reports. ------------ EWTN News Nightly provides the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Join host Tracy Sabol, our Capitol Hill, White House and Rome Correspondents, as well as many other diverse guests daily, to get the latest from the U.S. and the Vatican on topics regarding our Catholic faith and interests. ------------- EWTN News Nightly airs on EWTN weekdays at 6pm & 9pm ET. ------------ Don't miss an episode of EWTN New Nightly. Get updates here: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/ewtn-news-nightly ------------- Sign up today to receive the EWTN News Nightly newsletter: https://www.ewtn.com/enn ------------- Follow EWTN News Nightly on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewtnnewsnightly Twitter: https://twitter.com/EWTNNewsNightly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewtnnewsnightly/ ------------- Subscribe to EWTN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/EWTN ------------- You can support the EWTN News mission: https://bit.ly/3qDR1qf