At least six municipalities in Honduras have banned Halloween celebrations, arguing the holiday promotes demonic practices and undermines moral values. Authorities in San Juan and La Libertad stated that permits for events featuring terror themes or occult symbols will not be issued, and shopping centers must stop selling related merchandise. The issue reached the national Congress, where opposition deputy Dunia Jiménez proposed banning Halloween activities in schools. While the government views these measures as protecting spiritual and ethical formation, critics argue the bans violate freedom of expression and the secular nature of the state.
Evangelical pastor and former professional footballer Malcon Oduber Hernández, 46, was found dead in Catacamas, Honduras, on August 27, 2026. Authorities discovered his body alongside his assistant inside a construction site in the Olancho department after they were reported missing. The National Police are investigating a double homicide, though no motive or suspects have been confirmed. A bullet-impacted Bible was found at the scene. The incident highlights the growing violence against religious leaders in rural Honduras, where community figures often face risks from criminal groups. Local media reports that Hernández was known for his leadership at La Puerta al Cielo church and his past with Atlético Olanchano.
A regional council launched a campaign to support human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative highlights emblematic cases, including a group in the Dominican Republic fighting for land dignity against eviction by a major corporation. Representatives visited the community to express solidarity with their struggle. The campaign aims to promote protection and recognition for civic actors facing violence and exclusion in the region, emphasizing the critical need for safety and justice for those defending their rights.
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Dunia Jiménez, a deputy from the Libre party in Honduras, has introduced a bill to the National Congress to prohibit Halloween celebrations in public and private schools. The proposal aims to protect students' ethical and moral formation by banning related activities, costumes, and the use of school resources for such events. Jiménez cites precedents set by local governments in Comayagua and Copán. The initiative seeks to restrict schools from organizing, funding, or promoting Halloween festivities. Its final status depends on legislative approval by the National Congress.
Amnesty International campaigner Naomi Bernaldez traveled to Honduras to deliver a collage made from fragments of over 15,000 letters of support for Juan Lopez. Lopez, an environmental activist from Tocoa, was killed in September 2024 while defending local rivers and forests against mining projects. The global Write for Rights campaign generated more than 332,000 actions in his memory. Bernaldez presented the messages to Lopez’s family and colleagues at the Legal Office for Indigenous Peoples in Tegucigalpa. The organization states that justice for Lopez has not yet been achieved and calls for an independent investigation into his killing. The gesture aimed to show that global solidarity remains with the community despite the distance.
The Honduran Catholic Church has condemned a series of violent massacres that have killed at least 60 people since January. Recent attacks include the killing of 20 rural workers in Trujillo and the murder of five police officers in Omoa. Jesuit Father Gregorio Vasquez attributes the violence to organized crime, drug trafficking, and historic land disputes. The Latin American Episcopal Council and the Diocese of Trujillo have demanded justice and protection for peasant families. Officials link the killings to conflicts over territorial control and environmental defense, citing the recent murder of activist Juan López as part of this pattern.
Authorities in Honduras have arrested Adán Fúnez, a former mayor, as one of the masterminds behind the September 2024 killing of Catholic environmental activist Juan López. The detention comes after a year and a half of investigation, offering the local Church hope that justice will be served. The arrest marks a significant development in the case of López, whose death has drawn attention from international figures, including Pope Francis, who has engaged with activists like Sister Eugenia Bonetti regarding human rights and trafficking issues. This event highlights ongoing efforts to address violence against environmental defenders in the region.
Adán Fúnez, the former mayor of Tocoa in Honduras, was arrested on May 12 for allegedly orchestrating the September 2024 killing of Catholic environmental activist Juan López. Authorities converted his temporary arrest to preventive detention, with a preliminary hearing set for August 12. López had reported Fúnez for issuing fraudulent licenses to mining groups operating in Carlos Escaleras National Park. The local Church attributes the delay in justice to political connections, including ties to Congressman Carlos Zelaya. Father Noel Ortiz of REMAM stated that three criminal structures, including corrupt officials and hitmen, must be dismantled to achieve full justice.
Catholic bishops in several Latin American countries have issued warnings about sophisticated digital frauds using artificial intelligence to clone the voices and images of clergy members. Religious authorities stated that no bishops or priests sell commercial products online. Scammers exploit the moral credibility of religious leaders to promote fake medicines and services. Similar incidents involve prominent church figures in the region. The Conference urges the faithful to verify suspicious content through local parishes and avoid unsolicited offers. This trend highlights the ethical challenges of digital communication and the need to protect the integrity of religious identity from technological manipulation.
A senior church leader spoke at a major international conference in Brazil about the systematic killing of environmental and human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. He highlighted a campaign launched recently to protect leaders threatened for their work. The speaker cited specific murders in countries such as Mexico and Honduras, noting that a vast majority of global environmental defender killings occurred in the region in 2024. He urged for just energy transitions and transparency, describing these victims as martyrs for the common home.
Open Doors Australia delivered study Bibles and training to ten pastors in Honduras in early July. The aid addresses severe poverty and gang violence that limit access to religious materials. Pastor Armando, who serves in violent prisons, stated the resources changed his ministry approach. He now works in schools alongside prison outreach. Another leader, Isabella, noted the materials provide clarity for new converts. Although Honduras is not on the World Watch List, criminal groups like MS-13 threaten Christians. The donation aims to strengthen leaders facing harassment and death risks while expanding gospel access in high-poverty areas.
One year after the killing of Juan Antonio López, a lay Catholic and environmental defender in Honduras, the Latin American Church is pushing for accountability. López, a city counselor in Tocoa, opposed mining and local officials before his death in October 2023. Although legal proceedings have faced delays, prosecutors rejected a plea deal that would have limited convictions to direct perpetrators. The Episcopal Conference of Latin America launched a campaign to highlight threats against activists. Church leaders report increased solidarity among communities, though risks remain high for those defending the environment in the region.
The Holy See and Honduras have signed a bilateral agreement consisting of 25 articles to strengthen diplomatic relations and protect the Catholic Church's legal status. According to Vatican News, the pact guarantees religious freedom, including freedom of worship, and affirms rights to freedom of conscience and belief in line with international human rights standards. The agreement allows the Church to appoint its own clergy, establish educational and charitable organizations, and provide pastoral care in public institutions. It also protects the secrecy of the sacrament and facilitates spiritual support for military and police personnel. This accord aims to promote the common good and cultural values in Honduras.
Honduran women coffee producers from Intibucá and El Paraíso visited Germany and Romania to showcase their products and address climate impacts. Led by CDH director Adelina Vásquez, the delegation engaged with European policymakers and buyers under an EU-funded project. The trip highlighted the quality of their coffee while exposing challenges like certification and deforestation regulations. European partners expressed interest in direct trade, particularly for women-produced beans. The initiative aims to improve market access, strengthen cooperative organization, and ensure fairer distribution of benefits for Honduran communities facing climate and economic pressures.
The Latinobarometer 2025/2026 report highlights a significant shift in the religious landscape of the Dominican Republic. According to the data, 31% of the population identifies as evangelical, up from 21% in 2018, while Catholicism has declined to 45%. The study notes that evangelical churches are increasingly visible in social, educational, and economic spheres. This trend mirrors broader regional patterns across Latin America, where Catholic adherence has dropped from 80% in 1995 to 55% in 2025/2026. The findings emerge during Pope Leo XIV's visit to the region, underscoring the resurgent influence of Protestant communities compared to the traditional Catholic presence.
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The Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation, the social arm of Corporación Multi Inversiones, awarded 53 university scholarships to students in Guatemala and Honduras during its annual event. Since its inception in 2000, the program has granted 644 scholarships in partnership with several universities, including Universidad Zamorano in Honduras. The foundation reports that 95% of its 270 graduates are employed. Felipe Bosch Gutiérrez, the foundation's president, highlighted the long-term impact on talent development. The event also honored Carlos Paniagua Ferrari for his professional achievements.
According to Infobae, Latinobarometer data shows that evangelicals are now the majority religion in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. In Honduras, 44% identify as evangelical compared to 38% Catholic. Guatemala has 43% evangelical and 41% Catholic, while El Salvador has 42% evangelical. This marks a significant shift from 1995, when Catholicism dominated the region. The study, conducted over three decades, reveals a continental decline in Catholic identification from 80% to 55%. Evangelical presence has grown from 6% to 19% across Latin America. The report highlights that evangelicals also show higher rates of religious practice than Catholics in these nations.
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Faith Temple Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is partnering with Impact Ministries International to support operations in Honduras. The Honduran ministry provides approximately 15,000 meals daily to those in need. Tom Stamman, the CEO of Impact Ministries International, stated that the collaboration has been successful, attracting visitors from 25 countries. The organization also assists more than 200 children who have fled abuse, hunger, and trafficking. Additionally, the ministry aids trafficking survivors and provides housing for veterans within the United States. This partnership highlights cross-border efforts to address humanitarian crises and support vulnerable populations in both Central America and the Midwest.
More than 37,000 people gathered at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, for the 'Soy de Cristo en Movimiento' congress. Organized annually by the Iglesia de Cristo Ebenezer, the four-day event held in early August featured baptisms, prayers, singing, dances, and sermons. Pastor German Alonso Ponce stated the initiative originated from his mother’s long-term work with youth. The gathering, now considered the largest Christian event in the country, aims to help young people know Christ and experience transformation. Attendance figures were recently released by the organizing church.
Pro-life legislators and diplomats met in New York on September 17 and 18 to propose creating a Core Group at the United Nations. Organizers stated the initiative aims to counter the influence of the pro-LGBT bloc, which has operated since 2008. Participants, including representatives from Peru, Honduras, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic, agreed to form a steering committee. This group will draft a charter and define diplomatic steps to seek official recognition. The effort seeks to transform the Geneva Consensus Declaration into sustained multilateral coordination for nations defending life and family values.
Over 500 church leaders from 22 countries gathered in Honduras for the 17th Latin American Convention to discuss church planting strategies. According to the Lausanne Movement, representatives from eight nations signed a covenant to establish or support national collaborative gatherings. The initiative aims to form national church planting roundtables, empowering attendees to multiply new faith communities. This effort aligns with the Lausanne vision of connecting influencers to create shared strategies that impact every sphere of society through unified collaboration.
Eunice Rubio, a Honduran teacher, shares how child sponsorship changed her life. At age four, she joined the Peniel Child and Youth Development Center in Honduras, where she was sponsored by Linda and Robin. This support provided school materials and academic guidance, allowing her to continue her education without interruption. Today, Rubio teaches at Los Pinares Academy in Honduras, serving children from large families and adults who missed out on schooling. She highlights the stark contrast between her privileged background and the poverty, violence, and gang influence faced by many students. According to her account, sponsorship was essential for her academic success and personal development.
Caritas North America, comprising Development and Peace in Canada, Catholic Relief Services in the US, and Catholic Charities USA, promotes global solidarity and humanitarian action. The organization addresses conflict, climate change, and food insecurity through cross-border collaboration with Caritas Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent activities include workshops for migrants in El Salvador, advocacy for migrant rights on International Migrants Day, and a joint faith statement on the right to food launched in Rome. Additionally, delegates at COP30 in Belém criticized the final agreement as insufficient for the climate emergency, while Pope Leo XIV met with Caritas leadership at the Vatican in November 2025.
Caritas Latin America and the Caribbean is coordinating aid following major seismic events in the region. In Colombia, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck a specific area, killing over 300 people. Caritas is now shifting from emergency relief to early recovery in several affected provinces. Meanwhile, earthquakes in northern Venezuela caused widespread destruction, with media reports citing more than 3,500 deaths and thousands missing. The organization also highlights water projects in El Salvador and advocacy for migrants across the sub-regions.
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