A New Church for a Community in Honduras 

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and the country is additionally burdened by a grave energy crisis and constant power cuts. Then, there are the extremes of climate, with the country sometimes facing extensive periods of drought, and at other times, torrential rainfall. Moreover, the country is used as a transit land for the drug trade going into other countries. As a result, large areas of the country are controlled by criminal gangs called “Maras.” The murder rate is one of the highest in the world. 

The population of about 11 million is mostly Christian, but fundamentalist sects, often funded in the United States, are constantly on the rise. They spread their influence wherever the Catholic Church lacks the resources to be present and effectively minister.  

The Diocese of Trujillo lies on the Caribbean coast, in the north of the country. Covering an area of over 9,000 miles, it is the largest diocese in the country and practically the size of many smaller countries. It is also poor and lacking in basic infrastructure, especially churches, chapels, and parish houses.  

We have received an appeal for help from the parish of Bonito Oriental, which is dedicated to Saint Oscar Romero. It serves a wide area with many smaller outstations and is consequently divided into several different “sectors.” In one of these sectors is the very active community of Plan de Flores. It has an old church that serves the Catholic faithful from a total of nine outlying communities and is used not only for Holy Mass, but also for catechetical sessions, prayer gatherings, and other activities.  

Over time, the number of Catholics here has grown considerably – partly the fruit of the intensive pastoral outreach and partly the result of a general growth in the local population. Of course, this is a reason to rejoice, but it is also a challenge, since the church has become far too small for the number of faithful, meaning that many of them actually have to stand outside during Sunday Mass. And the chapel is in poor condition, having been damaged by falling trees in recent storms.  

The Catholic faithful, who are already poor, have worked hard for years so they could build a new church. They made many sacrifices, and they raised enough money to start construction in 2018. But the pandemic put an end to their efforts, and the situation has remained difficult ever since. Meanwhile, in Plan de Flores alone, no fewer than 11 Protestant communities have become established. “We urgently need an evangelization outreach that will lead the local Catholics to a personal encounter with Christ,” says their parish priest, Father Hermenegildo Ramirez. 

The Catholic faithful have many young people among them and gladly participate in the life of the Church. But without a church that will accommodate them properly, where they can worship God as a community, things are hard. So we have already promised $38,101, so that they can finally complete their new church. It will have space for 600 worshippers. 

Will you join us in helping them?  

Code: 225-08-19