MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The ruling Sandinista regime expelled the president of the Nicaraguan bishops’ conference, further decimating the country’s Catholic leadership as clergy are forced into exile. Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera of Jinotega was forced to leave Nicaragua after accusing a local Sandinista mayor of sacrilege for disturbing a celebration of Mass by blaring loud music outside the cathedral, according to Nicaraguan media. The bishop boarded a Nov. 12 flight from the country’s capital Managua to Guatemala City, independent news outlet Confidencial reported. Governments throughout Nicaragua routinely surveil priests during Mass and stage noisy events nearby — such as boxing matches outside the Cathedral in León earlier this year. Bishop Herrera is the third bishop expelled from Nicaragua in 2024. (OSV News)
