The president of the Evangelical Confraternity of Honduras (CEH), Pastor Gerardo Irías, urged lawmakers across party lines on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to defend the Constitution, acknowledge their mistakes and avoid promises they cannot keep.
Irías spoke at the National Congress during the weekly meeting of the Legislative Prayer Group, attended by legislators, employees and staff, according to a report by La Tribuna.
His message is the latest call from Honduran evangelical leaders for integrity in public office. It comes as Congress has opened several channels of cooperation with churches, including regular prayer gatherings and free airtime on its television channel.
Defending the Constitution was central to his address, a point the National Congress’ official portal also stressed when announcing the gathering.
Irías pointed to the apostle Peter as an example of repentance and a willingness to change one’s conduct. He noted that Jesus’ disciple made mistakes but acknowledged his failings, and he applied that lesson to those who hold public office.
His main appeal was for lawmakers to examine their own conduct before pointing out the mistakes of others. He asked them to acknowledge what they need to correct and to avoid hasty commitments, given the public’s weariness with broken promises.
He said the same responsibility applies to fathers, mothers and employers, but he directed his warning especially at those who govern. He also urged legislators to act with authenticity and to keep their conduct consistent with what they claim to represent.
Irías said the evangelical church is willing to work alongside the legislature, but he tied that collaboration to respect for the laws and for the Word of God.
Those present included Congress President Tomás Zambrano; Yohana Estrada de Zambrano, director of Congress’ Office of Social Action and Hope; and lawmakers from the National, Liberal, Liberty and Refoundation (Libre), and Innovation and Unity–Social Democrat (PINU-SD) parties. Irías presented Bibles to the legislators during the event.
On Feb. 2, the Tegucigalpa Pastors Association issued a statement that also carried a call from the Evangelical Confraternity. It asked Congress to elect the solicitor general and deputy solicitor general with ethics, responsibility and commitment to the common good.
The statement said public trust requires decisions bound by the law and by ethical principles that hold regardless of the political context. “What was wrong yesterday is still wrong today,” it said. It also pledged that the church would pray for those who make decisions on behalf of Hondurans.
Congress and the churches
In August, Congress reported on a gathering where lawmakers from various caucuses asked for divine guidance and for parliamentary work focused on the well-being of the population.
In May, Zambrano signed agreements with representatives of the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Confraternity, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International and organizations of Honduran migrants in the United States to offer free airtime on Congress’ television channel. According to official information, the airtime would allow the broadcast of religious programs, messages of faith and content aimed at strengthening values and social unity.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
