Iglesia Católica In Nicaragua is the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, historically considered the official religion of the country. The Catholic Church arrived in Nicaragua in the 16th century with the Spanish colonization of the region, and continues to be an important institution in the country today. It is estimated that over 70% of Nicaraguans are Catholic, and the Catholic Church and its clergy are esteemed by much of the population. The Catholic Church continues to have an influential presence in Nicaragua, and can often be found providing religious and social services to the population. History The Catholic Church first arrived in Nicaragua during the 16th century with Spanish colonization. It was officially recognized by the government as the national religion in 1880, and was deeply intertwined with the political structure of the country during the ensuing decades. The Catholic Church has also had a large role in Nicaragua's history. It was an outspoken critic of the Somoza dynasty that held power in the country from the 1930s-80s, and it was often fervently anti-communist in its teachings throughout the Cold War period. The Church also came to the aid of Nicaraguans suffering from poverty and other social issues during that time. Facts - Catholic Church has long been the dominant religion in Nicaragua, with over 70% of Nicaraguans practicing the faith. - The Catholic Church in Nicaragua is divided into 15 dioceses, each headed by a bishop. - The current Archbishop of Managua is Monsignor Leopoldo Brenes Solórzano. - The Church is also known for its involvement in Nicaragua's social justice issues. Services The Catholic Church in Nicaragua provides a wide range of religious services to the people of the country. These services include weekly mass, confession, sacraments and religious education. In addition to these traditional religious services, the Church also provides extensive social services to the Nicaraguan people. These social services include a variety of health, education and welfare programs which are funded largely by the Catholic Church. Many of these programs are aimed at providing assistance to impoverished or otherwise disadvantaged members of Nicaraguan society.