Amidst an already divided political scene, the presidential contender of the ruling party in Honduras, Rixi Moncada, stirred further debate by directly challenging the influence of churches within the nation. Her remarks, voiced at a party gathering, elicited swift responses from both religious figureheads and the populace, who labeled her statements as an insult to the longstanding significance of religious entities in the public sphere of Honduras.
The incident contributes to a succession of earlier conflicts between the governing party and different social groups, amidst an electoral process characterized by significant ideological differences and increasing scrutiny over the nature of the political discourse.
Assertions at the heart of the discussion
During a public address shared on social networks, Moncada mentioned that religious establishments “are quiet regarding social inequities” and “support economic interests.” These comments were seen as a direct provocation to the function of religious organizations in the Honduran political and social environment.
These statements were immediately rejected by representatives of different faiths. Pastor Marco Tulio López, of the Council of Evangelical Churches, responded that “faith does not kneel before political or economic power” and warned that “what does bring a nation to its knees is hatred disguised as justice,” in a clear reference to the position of the ruling party’s candidate.
In the Catholic sphere, the spokesman for the capital’s clergy, Father Luis Javier Mejía, also expressed his concern at what he considers to be the exploitation of religion in electoral discourse. “The Church is with the people. It always has been. But we will not allow ourselves to be used as a target for ideological campaigns,” he declared.
Citizen reactions and calls for institutional respect
The dispute not only rallied religious authorities but also proliferated significantly across social networks, where numerous individuals called for the preservation of the right to practice one’s faith freely and emphasized the importance of churches as places for community unity and dialogue during crises.
Among the most frequently expressed views was from a political analyst who, via social media platform X, stated: “If a candidate criticizes the beliefs of the populace, it shows more about their lack of tolerance than their policy.”
Facing increasing societal pressure, the Episcopal Conference along with the Evangelical Confraternity released statements urging mutual respect between religious organizations and political figures. In their messages, they stress the significance of avoiding the use of churches as focal points in electoral strategies, especially when people are seeking solutions to the country’s fundamental issues.
A political atmosphere characterized by discord
The clash between the candidate of the ruling party and religious groups is occurring amid a backdrop of escalating aggressive speeches from leaders within the Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE) party, which assumed power in 2022. Political analysts suggest that these remarks are a component of a polarizing strategy intended to bolster the support of the ruling party’s core followers, potentially sacrificing engagement with other social groups.
This dynamic has coincided with growing citizen frustration over persistent structural problems such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. For some analysts, the emphasis on ideological or symbolic debates is diverting attention from the population’s priority agendas.
Tension reveals governance challenges
The controversy surrounding Rixi Moncada’s statements reflects a broader tension over the place of traditional institutions, such as churches, in the current Honduran political cycle. By calling into question their role as social mediators, the ruling party risks weakening spaces that have historically contributed to containing conflicts and fostering dialogue in times of crisis.
In this scenario, the episode underscores the hurdles that the electoral process encounters: guaranteeing that public discourse centers on specific proposals without harming the relationships among crucial participants in institutional life. The way these challenges are handled will be critical for maintaining democratic stability on the path to the elections.
