Bishop Rolando Álvarez, exiled from Nicaragua, will participate in the second and final session of the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican from October 2-27. This marks a significant shift from his low profile since arriving in Rome earlier this year.

Deported to Rome on January 14 by the Daniel Ortega regime, Bishop Álvarez of Matagalpa is among the synod participants chosen directly by Pope Francis. Known for his staunch defense of human rights and criticism of the Nicaraguan dictatorship, Álvarez has made few public appearances since his exile.

His first public images in exile were seen on January 15, when he joined other exiled priests for Mass in Rome. In June, he visited Seville and the Sanctuary of Covadonga in Spain.

Who is Bishop Rolando Álvarez?

Appointed bishop of Matagalpa in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, Álvarez, 57, has been a vocal critic of the Nicaraguan regime, especially during the 2018 civil demonstrations. His activism led to relentless persecution by the government.

In August 2022, Álvarez was confined to his episcopal house with other clergy and a layman. After nearly running out of food, police raided the house and took him to Managua. On February 10, 2023, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison for being a “traitor to the country” and incarcerated in La Modelo prison.

Álvarez refused to join over 200 political prisoners sent to the U.S. the day before his sentencing. He was eventually exiled to Rome on January 14, following Vatican mediation, along with Bishop Isidoro Mora and other clergy.