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Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) – Amid a climate of growing electoral tension, Catholics and Evangelicals in Honduras have called for a march for peace to be held on August 16.
“Hearing the cries of our brothers and sisters, we invite all Hondurans of good will to march with us on August 16,” declared the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, José Vicente Nácher, together with evangelical leaders.
Since January 27, 2022, Honduras has been under the leadership of Xiomara Castro, wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, who was deposed and exiled after the 2009 coup d'état. This political context has generated concern ahead of the upcoming elections, due to the risk of prevailing distrust in institutions. Added to this is the fact that several members of the current government have been accused of alleged links to drug trafficking. Uncertainty is also growing due to the lack of consensus among the three members of the electoral tribunal, appointed by the ruling parties, to reach an agreement on the system for transmitting preliminary results for the general election.
With a view to the general elections on November 30th, "everyone, regardless of their thoughts or ideology," except for the candidates, is invited to participate in the march, Archbishop Nácher added in a press conference. The initiative will feature the presence of religious leaders from both faiths, who emphasized the importance of working together for the common good.
From a Catholic perspective, this collaboration not only strengthens ecumenical ties but also sends a clear message about the urgency of unity and dialogue in times of uncertainty. For their part, evangelical representatives emphasized that the march is an opportunity to express the Churches' commitment to the fundamental values of Honduran society. Despite doctrinal differences, they recognize that there is common ground on which they can collaborate to promote the social and spiritual well-being of the country.
The appeal has generated positive expectations among the faithful of both faiths, who see the march as an opportunity to reaffirm their faith and their commitment to Honduras. Massive participation is expected, reflecting the shared desire to build a more just and peaceful future for all Hondurans. The high turnout in the primaries on March 9, in which more than two million people voted, demonstrates a growing interest among citizens in the democratic process.
The general elections will be held on November 30 to elect the president, 128 parliamentarians, 20 members of the Central American parliament, and numerous mayors and deputy mayors. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 29/7/2025)
