Abelardo Mata

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara

S.D.B.
Bishop Emeritus of Estelí
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseManagua
DioceseEstelí
Appointed6 March 1990
Term ended6 July 2021
PredecessorRubén López Ardón
SuccessorRolando José Álvarez Lagos
Previous postsTitular Bishop of Coeliana and Auxiliary Bishop of Managua (1988–1990)
Orders
Ordination15 August 1976
Consecration19 March 1988
by Miguel Obando Bravo
Personal details
Born (1946-06-23) 23 June 1946
Managua, Nicaragua
Alma materPontifical Biblical Institute
MottoOmnia omnibus factus
Coat of arms
Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara's coat of arms

Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, S.D.B. (born 23 June 1946) is a Nicaraguan Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Estelí from 1990 until his retirement in 2021. Previously, he was auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Managua and titular bishop of Coeliana since 1988 until 1990.[1]

Early life

Mata Guevara was born in Managua and entered the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1965, making his religious profession the following year, on 8 December 1966.[1] He studied theology in Guatemala and biblical studies in Rome, at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, before being ordained a priest on 15 August 1976. He later served in pastoral, educational and formation ministries within the Salesian congregation.[2]

Episcopal ministry

On 13 February 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed Mata Guevara auxiliary bishop of Managua and titular bishop of Coeliana. He received episcopal consecration on 19 March 1988 from Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo. On 6 March 1990 he was appointed Bishop of Estelí.[1]

During his episcopate he served in several offices of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, including secretary general and vice president.[2]

Public activity

In 2013 Mata Guevara criticized Law 779 on violence against women, arguing that parts of the legislation undermined family unity, remarks that generated public controversy.[3]

During the 2018 Nicaraguan protests he became one of the country's most outspoken Catholic bishops. On 15 July 2018, the vehicle in which he was travelling was attacked by armed Pro-Ortega paramilitaries, although he was unharmed.[4]

Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 6 July 2021 after he reached the canonical retirement age.[5][6]

In 2026, media outlets reported that Mata Guevara had been placed under house arrest amid the Nicaraguan government's continuing restrictions on members of the Catholic Church.[7][8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cheney, David M. "Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, S.D.B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Monseñor Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara SDB". Catedral de Estelí (in Spanish). 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Mata sigue críticas a Ley 779". Radio La Primerísima (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Atacado el vehículo en el que viajaba el obispo nicaragüense Abelardo Mata". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 15 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Rinunce e nomine, 06.07.2021". Holy See Press Office (in Italian). 6 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Papa Francisco acepta renuncia de obispo de Nicaragua por límite de edad". ACI Prensa (in Spanish). 6 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Retired Nicaraguan bishop detained". The Pillar. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Casa por cárcel para monseñor Abelardo Mata en Estelí". 100% Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 July 2026.
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