Papa León XIV recibe informe sobre persecución religiosa en Nicaragua

Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church

On October 2, 2025, Pope Leo XIV received the report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church?” — a comprehensive study by Nicaraguan lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina, documenting the ongoing persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua between 2018 and 2025.

The report was handed to the Holy Father by human rights defender Muriel Sáenz during the Jubilee of Migrants held at the Vatican. Along with the document, Sáenz also presented letters from victims of repression and a small gift of Nicaraguan coffee, symbolizing the faith and resilience of the Nicaraguan people.

“The Pope listened very carefully when I spoke about Nicaragua,” Sáenz said. “He showed deep concern for our Church and the suffering of its people.”

(Source: Catholic News Agency, Oct 3, 2025)

The Findings of the Report

According to Molina’s study, between April 2018 and July 2025, there have been more than 1,010 documented attacks against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. These include:

• Arbitrary imprisonment, exile, and denationalization of priests and bishops

• Confiscation of church property and closure of Catholic media outlets

• Bans on processions and public religious events, totaling over 16,500 prohibitions

• Surveillance and intimidation of clergy and lay faithful

• Profanation of temples and hate campaigns on official media channels

(Source: Zenit News, Oct 3, 2025)

A Systematic Repression

Experts and human rights organizations describe this as a systematic campaign by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo to silence the Catholic Church — historically one of the strongest moral voices in Nicaraguan society.

By controlling religious activities and criminalizing expressions of faith, the regime seeks to limit the Church’s influence in defending human rights and social justice.

*(Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS))
(Source: National Catholic Reporter, July 2025)

Faith That Perseveres

Despite fear and persecution, Nicaraguan Catholics continue to stand firm.
In small communities, priests celebrate Mass quietly, people gather to pray in secret, and the faith remains alive in the hearts of millions.

By delivering this report to Pope Leo XIV, Muriel Sáenz and Martha Patricia Molina ensured that the voice of Nicaragua’s faithful will reach the world — a call for solidarity, prayer, and action.

“When one member of the Body suffers, all suffer with it.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:26

(Photo credit: Vatican Media)