Reactions to Rixi Moncada’s speech on the role of churches

Within an already divided political environment, the presidential hopeful Rixi Moncada, representing the ruling party in Honduras, stirred further debate by challenging the influence of religious organizations in the nation. Her remarks, delivered at a political gathering, quickly elicited responses from both religious figures and the public, who viewed her comments as an offense to the traditional contribution of ecclesiastical bodies to national affairs in 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

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 declarations were quickly dismissed by leaders of various religious groups. Pastor Marco Tulio López, from the Council of Evangelical Churches, remarked that “faith does not submit to political or economic authority” and cautioned that “what truly subjugates a nation is animosity masked as righteousness,” in an evident allusion to the stance of the candidate from the governing party.

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.

Public responses and appeals for adherence to institutional protocols

The dispute not only activated religious figures, but it also gained significant traction on social media, where numerous individuals called for acknowledgment of the freedom of worship and emphasized the importance of churches as places for community unity and dialogue during challenging periods.

Among the most widely shared opinions was that of a political analyst who, through social network X, argued: “When a candidate attacks the faith of the people, it reveals more about their intolerance than their proposal.”

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.

Strain highlights management issues

The debate concerning the comments made by Rixi Moncada highlights a larger conflict regarding the influence of established bodies, like churches, within the present political framework of Honduras. By challenging their function as societal intermediaries, the governing party could undermine structures that have traditionally helped manage disputes and promote conversation during periods of turmoil.

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.