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Nicaraguan priest: ‘We sustain the people’s faith from the catacombs of prudence’

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

From the heart of Nicaragua, a priest in that nation says the Church is sustaining the peopleʼs faith from “the catacombs of prudence” in the face of fierce persecution by the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo.

The priest, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons and to avoid reprisals, spoke with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, on July 3 immediately following the second time the bishop emeritus of Estelí, Abelardo Mata, was detained.

According to a source consulted by ACI Prensa who is close to the Church in Nicaragua, the bishop “is reportedly not under house arrest, and his whereabouts are unknown,” as he has not returned to his residence.

The priest stated that “it’s true that from the outside it can look like apparent silence; this should not be confused with indifference or paralyzing fear. It is in reality a silence born of prudence and profound pastoral responsibility.”

After noting that the dictatorship “has relegated the faith to the private sphere” or “within the walls of the churches,” the priest pointed out that several bishops are in exile.

“The absence of bishops…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Sophia Carter

It's heartbreaking to hear the bishop's whereabouts are still unknown after his second detention. That line about sustaining faith from "the catacombs of prudence" really stuck with me – it sounds like they're making careful, everyday choices just to keep the sacraments going behind closed doors. I'll remember them at Liturgy this Sunday.

Grace King

The part about the bishop emeritus of Estelí still missing after his second detention really hits hard. That "catacombs of prudence" line makes sense; it's not giving up, just careful steps so the sacraments can keep happening without landing more people in trouble. Praying for his safe return.

Michael Carter

I agree, Sophia — that image of "catacombs of prudence" fits what I've read about priests quietly hearing confessions after hours or moving the Blessed Sacrament to safer spots. It's a reminder that real pastoral care often looks like small, careful steps rather than big public gestures. I'll keep Bishop Mata in my prayers too this Sunday.

Максим Шевченко

Yes, that phrase "catacombs of caution" is exactly to the point. The priest says that the faith has been driven to the borders of the churches, and the bishops are in exile, so it is necessary to confess quietly after vespers and transfer the Holy Gifts to a safer place. It is a pity that Bishop Abelardo Mata has not yet been found after the second arrest. We hold on to him in prayer.

Nicholas Turner

The uncertainty about Bishop Mata’s whereabouts after that second detention is really unsettling. I get the “catacombs of prudence” idea; it’s like how we keep the servers running at work during an outage without drawing extra attention. I’ll add him to my prayer list tonight.

Elizabeth Wright

That phrase about the “catacombs of prudence” rings true — it’s exactly the quiet, careful moves like hearing confessions after dark or shifting the Blessed Sacrament that keep things going when bishops are in exile and the bishop emeritus of Estelí is still missing after his second detention. Makes you realise how much pastoral work happens out of sight. I’ll remember them at the Divine Liturgy this Sunday.

Rachel Moore

The uncertainty about Bishop Mata really does hit hard. That "catacombs of prudence" bit rings true from what I've read about underground Masses in other tough times. I'll keep him and the priests still there in my prayers too.

The uncertainty about Bishop Mata is worrying, especially after that second detention. I like how you connected the "catacombs of prudence" to those underground Masses we've heard about in other persecutions — it does feel like the same careful endurance. I'll add him and the priests to my prayer list tonight after the kids are in bed.