Pronouncement
Priests of the diocese of Santa Rosa de Copán
The priests of Santa Rosa de Copán, meeting in the municipality of San Juan Intibucá on the occasion of the celebration of the priestly ordination of the deacon Francisco Rivas, knowing the news that a complaint has been filed by lawyers of Miguel Facussé against our bishop, Monseñor Luis Alfonso Santos, makes this pronouncement in the presence of public opinion in general and Catholic parishioners in particular in the following terms:
1. We are in solidarity with Monseñor Luis Alfonso Santos, the 43 parishes of the five departments in the western region, with a population of about 1.5 million inhabitants; and we are ready to accompany him in the complete process until the truth is discovered and there is an investigation of those directly involved in the violent actions against the campesinos of Bajo Aguan.
2. We ask the State to listen and head the outcry of the campesinos who cry out and affirm with their struggles that Miguel Facussé is the one responsible for the deaths in Bajo Aguan.
3. We denounce the ties and preferential treatment which the Honduran State is giving to this person while the Constitution states that we are all equal. We ask, Why is there such malicious indifference by the judicial power which does not follow up on the acts, which violate human rights, to which the campesinos of Bajo Aguan are submitted? Why isn’t there an investigation of those directly responsible for the psychological and physical attacks which campesinos have suffered in the Gulf of Fonseca, especially in the island of Zacate Grande,
4. We demand that the Honduras state apply justice especially in regard to the problems of land ownership which are the direct causes of the deaths of campesinos in Zacate Grande and Bajo Aguan, among other cases.
5. We invite all the parishioners to be attentive to defend the dignity of the people, to aid the prophetic voice and protect the life of our shepherd, Monseñor Santos who had given over his life for the poor and the defense of life in his 27 years as bishop.
“Hear this, you who walk over the poor and want to suppress the humble of the land.” (Amos 8:4)
Released in the municipality of San Juan Intibucá, May 31, 2011
