Representatives of the Honduran evangelical Church have pledged to remain in “vigilance and prayer” for democracy as the country prepares for general elections on Nov. 30. Evangelical congregations coordinated under the Association of Pastors of Tegucigalpa have mobilized across all 18 departments of the country, according to Hondudiario.
Pastor Mario Banegas, speaking on behalf of the association, said prayer must be the first step in the Church’s engagement with the electoral process. “We are praying; that is the first thing we must do,” he said.
In comments reported by Proceso Digital, Banegas added that Hondurans are yearning for genuine democracy. “We don’t see a real democracy, and I believe the people of Honduras, in all 18 departments, are asking for exactly that: democracy,” he said. “If it comes to going out into the streets again, we are ready to do so peacefully.”
He clarified that the movement is not intended to confront government institutions or political actors, but emphasized that citizens are prepared to take peaceful action to defend what they believe to be true democracy.
Participants in the pastors’ gathering underscored the need for the armed forces and the electoral process to operate within the frameworks established by the National Electoral Council (CNE). They expressed concern that many citizens do not perceive a fully functioning democratic system in Honduras.
Banegas also highlighted that evangelical believers are serving as citizen observers in the elections and urged respect for the popular will expressed at the polls. “Faith and democracy must go hand in hand in the pursuit of the common good and national stability,” he said.
In the same context, Anabel Gallardo, president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), voiced her support for CNE councilors Cossette López and Ana Paola Hall and encouraged citizens to vote in large numbers.
Through this initiative, the Honduran evangelical Church aims to position itself as an active participant in the civil and political life of the nation, promoting peace, unity, and vigilance amid growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
