What is the Catholic Church’s position about the political turmoil in Honduras?

Card. Oscar Andres Rodriguez. Photos: El Heraldo, Honduras

In an interview published by the Wall Street Journal, on November 16, the Cardinal of Honduras, Oscar Andres Rodriguez shared some of the difficulties the Catholic Church is going through since earlier this year when the whole political commotion of the constitutional removal of the president, rose up in that part of the world.

Due to the misleading Mass Media coverage, which has played an essential role in accusing the church leadership as golpistas, Card. Rodriguez explains the Church’s position in the whole turmoil. As explained by him, the church has not become involved in the political process surrounding Mr. Zelaya's fate, and for good reason.

"There are many people who are zelayistas in good faith because he was promising a lot of things to the poor."

Now, understanding the whole picture from this point of view then, yes, the Catholic Church has found itself necessarily involved. For the Church has a mission; to bring about unity through reconciliation.

Even though Card. Rodriguez is a respected national figure and his words carry weight, his moral duty with regards to the faithful hasn't been so easy to carry on. The reason, very simply as he himself states it:

"In Latin America, when you have money, you can buy justice." Such corruption is what led to "the implosion" of political parties in Venezuela," he says.

To the surprise of the rest of the world, however, Honduras did not believe in the message of the messiah, Chávez. Card. Rodriguez confirms that supporters of Mr. Zelaya, (the corrupt ex-president), have put pressure on the church, but despite "constant death threats" he says, he has not changed his position.