With one week remaining before Honduras’ general elections, evangelical and Catholic churches across the country have begun nationwide prayer gatherings and public appeals for peace, transparency and broad democratic participation.
The initiatives come as voters prepare for the Nov. 30 polls amid heightened public interest and concern over the legitimacy of the electoral process. Church leaders say their goal is to help ensure a calm, violence-free election and to encourage citizens to vote “consciously” across all 18 departments.
One of the largest mobilizations was organized by evangelical churches in Tegucigalpa under the call to guarantee “a civic celebration” free of violence. Mario Banegas, president of the Tegucigalpa Pastors Association, said the church regards voting as “an expression of brotherhood.” He added, “Hondurans are brothers, and we cannot be fighting, destroying one another.”
Banegas urged a massive turnout on election day so the vote “may be a blessing to the nation.” He confirmed that another prayer gathering is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, with participation expected from churches, ministries and delegations traveling from villages, settlements and rural areas across the country.
The first major prayer day, held Nov. 22, was announced by Diario Cristiano as part of the churches’ contribution to promoting a peaceful and democratic atmosphere. La Tribuna reported that following events that occurred on Saturday, Nov. 22, the evangelical church “cries out for peace and democracy,” calling for the election to proceed without incidents that could jeopardize the legitimacy of the results.
Catholic communities have launched similar efforts. According to Once Noticias, the Catholic Church began special prayer activities this week focused on “peace and transparency” as the election approaches.
Analysts note that faith-based initiatives play an important role in Honduras’ social fabric, especially in a country with a history of post-electoral disputes. Church leaders emphasize that while they avoid direct partisan involvement, they remain committed to promoting civic responsibility grounded in Christian values.
Their message to the public is clear: turn out to vote, exercise the right responsibly, and help ensure that Nov. 30 is a peaceful election day.
Originally reported by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
