_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "Rixi Moncada")
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 episode adds to a series of previous tensions between the ruling party and various social actors, amid an electoral process marked by strong ideological divisions and growing questions about the conduct of the political debate.
Statements at the center of the debate
In a statement shared on online platforms, Moncada mentioned that churches “do not speak out against social injustices” and are “aligned with economic power.” These remarks were seen as a direct confrontation to the influence of religious organizations within the political and social framework of Honduras.
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.
Within the Catholic context, Father Luis Javier Mejía, serving as the spokesperson for the capital’s clergy, raised his worries about what he views as the misuse of religion in political dialogue. “The Church stands with the community. It has always done so. Nonetheless, we refuse to become a tool for ideological agendas,” he stated.
Public responses and demands for respect towards institutions
The controversy not only mobilized religious leaders, but also spread strongly on social media, where multiple voices demanded respect for the right to freedom of worship and the role of churches as spaces for community cohesion and mediation in times of crisis.
Among the most commonly shared views was the perspective of a political commentator who, via social network X, stated: “When a candidate criticizes the beliefs of the people, it reflects more on their narrow-mindedness than on their platform.”
Faced with growing social pressure, both the Episcopal Conference and the Evangelical Confraternity issued statements calling for mutual respect between religious institutions and political actors. In these statements, they emphasize the importance of not turning churches into targets for electoral strategies at a time when citizens are demanding proposals to address the country’s structural problems.
An electoral climate marked by confrontation
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 ongoing situation has matched the increasing dissatisfaction among citizens regarding enduring structural issues like poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. According to various analysts, the focus on ideological or symbolic discussions is distracting from the public’s primary concerns.
Pressure uncovers issues in management
The debate over the remarks made by Rixi Moncada highlights a wider conflict concerning the role of conventional establishments, like churches, in Honduras’ present political scene. By challenging their function as social intermediaries, the governing party may undermine areas that have traditionally helped in managing disputes and promoting discussion during crises.
In this context, the episode highlights the challenges facing the electoral process: ensuring that public debate focuses on concrete proposals without damaging the links between key actors in institutional life. How these tensions are managed will be decisive for democratic stability on the road to the polls.