Free the Bishops

In this special episode of 'Free the Bishops,' hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum commemorate the 6th anniversary of civic protests in Nicaragua against the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship. Former political prisoner and freedom advocate Roger Alfredo Martínez joins the discussion, reflecting on the courage of Nicaraguans and the ongoing fight for justice and freedom in the country. Learn more about the crisis of persecution in Nicaragua at our website, freethebishops.org

Painful silence shrouds the religious sisters who've been expelled from Nicaragua. Global Sisters Report journalist Rhina Guidos shares her report on the unending exodus with co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum. You can learn more about the religious persecution in Nicaragua at freethebishops.org

Is the Vatican's silence helpful in the face of persecution in Nicaragua? Latin America expert and guest Caroline Cowen wonders aloud if we've seen everything the Ortega regime has in store for the Church. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they discuss this and more! To learn more about the religious persecution in Nicaragua visit freethebishops.org

In December 2023, eleven pastors affiliated with the Mountain Gateway missions in Nicaragua were arrested and imprisoned on dubious charges. In addition, the Ortega regime issued arrest warrants for three leaders of the ministry in the USA. Join hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they review the persecution against Mountain Gateway's mission and the efforts of US senators to secure the release of those detained. To learn more about the ongoing religious persecution in Nicaragua, visit freethebishops.org

Hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum explore the suppression of the traditional Nicaraguan pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Jesus del Rescate (Jesus, Lord of Ransom), highlighting the historical significance, societal implications, and ongoing challenges to religious freedom under the Ortega-Murillo regime. Learn more about the ongoing religious persecution in Nicaragua at freethebishops.org

In this episode, co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum delve into Nicaragua's ongoing religious persecution, discussing a recent ⁠investigative article by La Prensa⁠ that explores the enforced silence within the Church. They spotlight the expulsion and exile of bishops and priests, the global implications, and the urgent need for international action to address the regime's gaining of the upper hand in Nicaragua's oppressive climate. Learn more about the ongoing religious persecution in Nicaragua at freethebishops.org

Explore the layers of cynicism in Rosario Murillo's birthday greetings to Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes as co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum dissect Murillo's veiled messages amid Nicaragua's anti-Catholic persecution in this compelling episode. Thanks to the independent Nicaraguan media outlet 100% Noticias for providing the audio clip of Murillo's radio address, translated by Carmelite Quotes. Learn more about the religious repression in Nicaragua on our website, freethebishops.org

Explore the tumultuous aftermath of the Ortega-Murillo regime's banishment of 19 Catholic bishops and clergy members in Nicaragua. Hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum dissect the impact on the Archdiocese of Managua, challenges in clergy reassignments, and the unsettling silence of the banished priests, offering a comprehensive analysis of the crisis within Nicaragua's Catholic Church. The source for this discussion is media outlet Divergentes. Check out freethebishops.org to learn more about the anti-Catholic persecution in Nicaragua.

Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they lead a special episode praying the Holy Rosary for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua. Hear meditations on the Joyful Mysteries by the exiled Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, Silvio José Báez, o.c.d. Find more resources for prayer and advocacy at freethebishops.org

In this impactful episode, noted human rights defender Bianca Jagger joins Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum to delve into the deeply concerning findings of the latest UN human rights report. It exposes in detail the egregious human rights abuses in Nicaragua, shedding light on the suppression of critical voices against the government and prompting a call for global awareness and action. Learn more about this critical report from the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua and visit our website freethebishops.org for more details and news.

Dr. Ryan C. Berg delves into his recent CSIS report, "Exporting Autocracy: China’s Role in Democratic Backsliding in Latin America and the Caribbean" in a chat with co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum. Reflecting on repression in China and Nicaragua, Dr. Berg expresses, "I fear very deeply for what a deeper Chinese-Nicaragua partnership would look like in terms of religious freedom, given what we've seen in China thus far." See more of Dr. Berg's quote on our website, freethebishops.org

Former Nicaraguan political prisoner Roger Alfredo Martínez joins Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum to share firsthand accounts of water bearer Doña Coquito's extraordinary selflessness, offering a unique perspective on how her acts of kindness became a symbol of hope and resilience during Nicaragua's April 2018 protests. Learn more about Doña Coquito in Episode 37 and read more about the struggle for human rights and religious freedom in Nicaragua on freethebishops.org

Doña Coquito was the iconic Nicaraguan grandmother who, through her unwavering compassion during the 2018 civic protests, became a symbol of resilience and a beacon of hope for justice and freedom in Nicaragua. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum in this heartfelt episode as they pay tribute to this indomitable senior citizen and pray for the repose of her soul. To learn more about the protests and religious persecution in Nicaragua, visit freethebishops.org

Carmelite Quotes talks with veteran Vatican journalist Christopher R. Altieri about China, Vatican, and Nicaragua relations, discussing the tricky diplomatic situations, how the Church navigates tough choices, and what it means for persecuted Catholics in Nicaragua. Stay informed and connected at freethebishops.org

Recently media outlet Semana published an interview with Felix Maradiaga, a Nicaraguan pro-democracy activist and human rights defender. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they discuss Maradiaga's insights into Ortega's repression of the Church and society. Learn more about the crisis on freethebishops.org

Discover the intricate dynamics of China's growing influence in Nicaragua and its implications for religious freedom as co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum welcome Tony Garrastazu from the International Republican Institute in Washington DC to discuss religious freedom, economic partnerships, geopolitical strategies, and expert insights. Check out freethebishops.org to learn more about the crisis of religious freedom in Nicaragua.

Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they delve into the chilling effect of Daniel Ortega's crackdown on the Church. This gripping discussion unravels the silenced voices, surveillance, and challenges, offering a poignant prayer for resilience and justice in the face of adversity and providing crucial insights into the current state of religious freedom in Nicaragua. Learn more about the repression mentioned in this episode from the Associated Press and freethebishops.org

Free the Bishops is a podcast shedding light on the critical issue of anti-Catholic persecution in Nicaragua, providing a platform for in-depth discussions on the struggles faced by exiled Nicaraguan bishops and clergy and the faithful working for religious freedom. Subscribe for compelling insights and join the mission to stand against oppression at freethebishops.org.

Host Carmelite Quotes teams up with Latin American affairs expert Caroline Cowen to shed light on the release of 222 political prisoners from Nicaragua, who were sent to the USA on 9 February 2023. You can discover their bittersweet journey to freedom in this insightful video by Race and Equality. And, don't forget to check out freethebishops.org for the latest news about the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On February 9, 2023, 222 political prisoners were released from Nicaraguan prisons and sent to the USA. Join your hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they mark this anniversary and offer the Holy Rosary for all exiles from Nicaragua, featuring meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries by Auxiliary Bishop Silvio José Báez, OCD of the Managua Archdiocese. Visit the Free the Bishops podcast website

Explore the life of Bishop Silvio José Báez, the Auxiliary Bishop of Managua and the third Nicaraguan bishop in exile. Join your host Carmelite Quotes as she delves into the compelling life and ministry of Bishop Báez, from his academic achievements to daunting pastoral challenges in Nicaragua, all of which reveal a story of resilience and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.

A powerful letter from men and women religious of the Catholic underground movement in Nicaragua was just published to encourage the suffering Church there. Join co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they delve into its substance and discuss this inspiring message from the Church in the catacombs. You can read the letter in the original Spanish at Religión Digital.

"My heart is very deeply united with the faithful in Nicaragua," guest Mike Lewis assured us. Join Carmelite Quotes, Rosary Mum, and Mike Lewis from wherepeteris.com as Mike dives into Pope Francis' long track record in dealing with dictatorships worldwide, first as a Jesuit superior in Argentina and now from the Vatican. What can that track record teach us about today's papal diplomacy concerning the crisis in Nicaragua?

On January 29, a shocking incident unfolded in a Managua parish chapel. Sadly, another Tabernacle was vandalized, consecrated hosts were stolen, and the sanctity of the space was violated. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they delve into the disturbing trend of violence and desecration. Download the English version of Martha Patricia Molina's research on attacks against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

Join host Carmelite Quotes and editorial cartoonist Pedro X. Molina for a lively discussion on the crisis facing Catholics in Nicaragua. From the banishment of bishops and priests to Miss Universe, Nicaragua's Sheyniss Palacios, both Carmelite Quotes and Molina offer astute observations on current events. You can follow Pedro Molina's editorial cartoons in Spanish at Confidencial and in English at GoComics.

Human rights defender Bianca Jagger highlights the alarming persecution of the Catholic Church by the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship in Nicaragua. This ongoing purge is causing a spiritual vacuum in the country. Tune in and join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum for an insightful discussion of these troubling developments as they present Bianca Jagger's interview with Simon Caldwell, which was published by OSV News on January 23, 2024.

Fear, the oppressor's weapon of choice, is a powerful tool used to dominate others. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum in an enlightening discussion on the paralyzing fear that plagues Nicaraguan society today, as explained in the article "Nicaragua: Life in the Catacombs", published by El Pais English edition, 21 January 2024.

Did you know that Nicaraguan VP Rosario Murillo refers to Catholic bishops and clergy as Servants of Satan? Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they comment on Murillo's daily talkathon and lead us in prayer for the restoration of religious freedom in Nicaragua. Thanks to Confidencial and Martha Patricia Molina for their investigative efforts, which provide the background for this episode.

Discover this shocking reality: more than 30% of parishes in Matagalpa Diocese have no priests. Join hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they explore the distressing situation facing the Church in Nicaragua, where persecution and loss have taken a toll on clergy numbers. Plus, don't miss the conclusion of our powerful Novena to St. Thérèse, praying for the needs of Catholics in Nicaragua. Find all the Novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they delve into the Vatican's difficult negotiations with the Nicaraguan dictatorship to secure the release of bishops and clergy. Did the Vatican participate in human rights violations? Discover the truth behind these crucial events and listen to their insightful review. And join in the prayers for Day 8 of the St. Thérèse Novena for the needs of the Church in Nicaragua. Find all the Novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Discover the alarming indicators of deepening repression in Nicaragua as Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum delve into the country's adoption of the Chinese model of anti-Catholic persecution. Tune in to their insightful discussion and join them for Day 7 of the St. Thérèse Novena. You can find all of the Novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Nicaragua is a country that finds itself at a crossroads, importing China's method of subjugating the Catholic Church through force. Join co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum for a thought-provoking conversation with Latin America expert Caroline Cowen about the repression. And don't miss the prayers for Day 6 of our Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. You can find all of the novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they delve into the psychological and emotional hurdles encountered by the bishops, priests, and seminarians recently released from prison in Nicaragua. Mental health expert Roger Alfredo Martinez, another former political prisoner, sheds light on the complex emotions these men of faith will experience during their transition from incarceration to liberation at the Vatican. Rosary Mum leads us on Day 5 of our Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Find all of the Novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

On January 14, we received both good and bad news. The bishops and clergy have been freed from captivity in Nicaragua, which is a relief. However, they have been expelled from the country, which is unfortunate. Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they discuss this development and come together in prayer for religious freedom. Follow the links to our novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Join co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they review details from the Human Rights Watch World Report 2024 concerning Nicaragua and the oppression of the Ortega regime. Novena prayers continue to St. Thérèse of Lisieux for the captive priests, bishops, and seminarians, and the conversion of the hearts of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Follow the links to the novena prayers on the Carmelite Quotes website.

Join co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they discuss the frightening news from Nicaragua; all the captive clergy have been moved to La Modelo prison, one of the worst in Latin America. Prayers continue on Day 2 of a Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Join Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they share the highlights from Aleteia about the 2023 summary report of anti-Catholic persecution from Aid to the Church in Need. Novena prayers to St. Thérèse begin, too!

Join co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum for a conversation about the joint nomination of Nicaraguan bishops Rolando Álvarez and Silvio José Báez for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Join hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum for an overview of the Catholic Church's struggles in Nicaragua over the last 50 years. In particular, they discuss a recent article by Nicaraguan journalist Houston Castillo that was published by Voice of America.

Co-hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum share the full list of bishops, priests and seminarians who are held captive in Nicaragua. They also share Pope Francis's latest remarks about the persecution.

Join your hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they share an inspiring Epiphany homily from Bishop Silvio José Báez, O.C.D. and reflect on his visit to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Los Angeles, California on January 6, 2024.

Join hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they pray the Chaplet of St. Michael to intercede for the imprisoned bishops and clergy who are unjustly detained in Nicaragua

Host Carmelite Quotes chats with guest Muriel Gomez Saenz about staged photos of the imprisoned Nicaraguan bishop, Rolando José Álvarez from Matagalpa Diocese. Despite the regime's best efforts to stage a media show, no one is fooled.

Join hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they dive into Pope Francis' powerful call for prayer and dialogue to address the anti-Catholic persecution in Nicaragua.

As the Sandinista dictatorship of Daniel Ortega continues its vicious manhunt, abducting priests from parishes around Nicaragua, the Managua Archdiocese's Auxiliary Bishop recorded a powerful video message to his priests, the faithful, and to government and religious leaders worldwide. Bishop Silvio José Báez, O.C.D., exiled from Nicaragua by order of the Holy See in April 2019, kindly shared the authorized English translation of his message. Listen as program host Carmelite Quotes and co-host Rosary Mum bring you the bishop's message and lead us all in prayer.

Several priests were apprehended by Nicaraguan police and paramilitaries throughout the evening of Friday, December 29, 2023 and into the early hours of Saturday morning, December 30. Join program hosts Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum as they provide an update on the capture of priests, as confirmed by religious persecution researcher Martha Patricia Molina.

Podcast host Carmelite Quotes and a team of volunteers review the Nicaraguan priests from 3 dioceses who have been apprehended since December 22, 2023. Also, the team talks about where to find credible information about the rapidly escalating persecution.

Carmelite Quotes and Rosary Mum are joined by journalist David Agren to discuss the new legislation in Nicaragua that empowers the national police and Ministry of the Interior to carry out precautionary arrests of those who are real or perceived opponents of the regime. One of the first arrests took place early on December 28, 2023, when the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Managua was arrested, Monsignor Carlos Avilés. Listen as David shares his experiences with this brave priest and discusses future threats that await the Church in 2024.

On Christmas Eve 2023, six lay employees from Caritas in the Diocese of Estelí were sentenced to six years each for false charges of money laundering. Rosary Mum and Carmelite Quotes discuss this development and also talk about the arrests of priests in Nicaragua simply for mentioning the name of a bishop in the Eucharistic prayer. Join us as we talk about the persecution of Nicaraguan Catholics and pray for the people.

Learn about the Catholic Bishops in Nicaragua who have been detained by the Ortega-Murillo government. Rosary Mum and Carmelite Quotes bring you up to date on the developments.