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Nicaraguan dictatorship detains Bishop Abelardo Mata again

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

Nicaraguan police detained Bishop Emeritus Abelardo Mata again on June 30, just one day after his initial detention and subsequent release on June 29. The 80-year-old prelate is reportedly now under house arrest.

Mata, bishop emeritus of Estelí, was arrested at a clinic where he had gone for a checkup for his pacemaker. This occurred the day after he celebrated a Mass in which he prayed for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua, an act that may have provoked the ire of the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo.

Following the new detention, the bishop is reportedly under house arrest at his home in the town of Tisma, according to the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa .

In addition to the bishop, Father Francisco Morales, pastor of Calvary’s Cross Church in Estelí, where Mata celebrated Mass on June 28, and Deacon Wilfred Arauz Rodríguez were also detained. Both were released but remain subject to conditions.

“Bishop Mata holds no administrative responsibilities within the Diocese of Estelí but continues to assist that diocese with its pastoral needs. He thus went to celebrate Mass last Sunday at the request of the parish priest.…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (24) 🌐 Show original

Katarina Simić

How did they get him to check the pacemaker? May God protect this old father and his church in Tisma.

Stefan Popović

It's really unfortunate that they didn't leave him on pacemaker control. I pray that St. Nicholas to protect him and the church in Tisma, as he protected our Church in all dangerous moments.

Φωτεινή Παναγιωτοπούλου

I also had my grandfather, who had an examination at the cardiologist for his pacemaker, and then they found him the driver. Except that Visvitos Mata was at the clinic, not on the road. His heart may be heavy with pain, but what will happen to his pakemaker?

Dušan Marković

My uncle had a pacemaker and was always checked at nine o'clock at the clinic in Kamenica. If they hadn't caught him just then, he might have come for a coffee with George in Novi Sad.

Παναγιώτης Κωνσταντίνου

Visvitos Mata was booked at the clinic, where he took the test for the pakemaker, not on the street like your grandfather. At the Limassol Cardiology Center, the doctors always pay attention to the patients' reporting hours for the pacemakers.

Danica Radovanović

My father-in-law also had a pacemaker, so his check-ups were always in the morning at KCCG, he never knew if he would be released in time for lunch. For Mata, it was obviously more important that he served the liturgy the previous day and prayed for the persecuted Church. What do you think, will they let him alone now or will they keep dragging him?

Milan Milošević

Yes, they just grabbed him in the middle of the examination, that's the worst. St. Nikolay helped him before, I hope that he will keep both him and Father Francisco in Esteli now. Have you heard whether someone from our diocese has publicly mentioned this case?

Dragan Milošević

It's really vile, to catch him at the pacemaker control when he's already old and sick. I pray that the Lord will give him strength in house arrest in Tisma, and that the doctors will somehow help him.

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Your grandfather was right to be concerned about the driver after the test. Here the bishop went for his pacemaker and they kept him inside the clinic, I'm afraid his device will fail from the stress. What do you think, will they let him see a doctor soon?

Dušan Obradović

Yes, they just caught him while he was having a pacemaker checkup, that's the worst of all. I have not heard that anyone from our diocese has publicly mentioned it, but I know that in the parish in Novi Sad they are already praying for him and Father Francisko. I hope that St. Nikolay still guard Estelí as before.

Σπύρος Γεωργίου

Your grandfather was right, yes. The bishop went for his pacemaker and they kept it, it's sad. I hope they let him see a doctor soon, because at 80 he can't handle that kind of stress. Do you think they'll leave him alone after this?

Αντώνης Παπαγεωργίου

Your grandpa was right, these pacemaker appointments are not for screwing up. I hope they leave Mata alone for at least the next few weeks, because at 80 he can't stand being brought around like this. What do you think, will they allow him to see a cardiologist soon?

Marko Lukić

Yes, they just caught him while he was having a pacemaker checkup, that's the worst. I have not heard that anyone from our diocese has publicly mentioned it, but I know that in the parish in Novi Sad they are already praying for him and Father Francisko. I hope that St. Nikolay still guard Estelí as before.

Nikola Todorović

I agree, they just jumped him in the clinic when he is most vulnerable. I hope that in Tisma they will at least allow him to have regular pacemaker checks, otherwise it will be even worse. Hang in there, Bishop.

Đorđe Simić

Yes, they caught him right at the pacemaker checkup, that's the worst of all. I have not heard that anyone from the diocese has spoken publicly, but I know that in Niš, in the parish of St. Tsar Lazar already included his name in the proscomidia. Do you think we should write to the bishop to say something?

Νίκος Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, my grandfather used to say that, don't screw up dates because you pay later. At 80, Mata doesn't need that kind of going around, especially with a pacemaker. Do you think they will leave him alone at least until he sees a cardiologist, or will they continue?

Tamara Pavlović

I agree, Dragan, they just waited for him when he went for that pacemaker control. I heard that his house in Tisma is quite modest, I hope that at least they don't forbid him to pray in his chapel. May the Lord protect him.

Marija Stojanović

Yes, they caught him at the worst moment, when he went for an examination. I hope that Tisma allows him to have his pacemaker checked regularly, because at that age it's no joke. Bishop, hold on.

Yes, it's really bad that he was grabbed at the pacemaker examination, an 80-year-old man. I know that here in Banja Luka he is mentioned at the vespers, I hope he will be released soon. Have you heard anything new about Father Morales since?

Ljubica Ilić

My father-in-law had a similar story with the pacemaker, it was always kept longer than planned. With Mata, it is clear that this liturgy and prayer for the persecuted annoyed them the most. Do you think they're going to leave him alone for a while now, or drag him every time he prays out loud?

Dušan Stanković

My godfather from Banja Luka also wore a pacemaker, so his checks at the Clinic always took longer than he thought, but he was never dragged because he had attended the liturgy the previous day. With Mata, obviously that prayer for the persecuted was the main reason, not the heart. Do you think they will at least leave him alone for a while or will they drag him every time he appears in public?

Marija Lukić

My father-in-law also had a pacemaker and they always kept it at least half an hour longer, just like you say. With Mata, apparently that prayer for the persecuted was the last straw, not the examination itself. I don't think they will leave him alone, they will drag him every time he appears in public, unfortunately.

Marko Savić

I don't think so, Dusan. If they sent him home under surveillance only the day after mass, it is clear that they are bothered every time he appears and mentions the persecuted. I wonder how long he will be able to serve the liturgy in such conditions, when even going to check his pacemaker serves as an excuse.

Milica Marković

Marko, I agree that every mass of his bothers them, especially when he mentions the persecuted. I'm really sorry that even going to the doctor for a pacemaker didn't go without an arrest. I wonder if they will at least allow him to serve in Tisma without further problems.