A UMNS Report
By Linda Bloom*
July 15, 2009

Thirty-six United Methodist missionaries are urging President Obama to help the democratically elected president of Honduras regain control of the country.

In a July 14 letter, the missionaries – who have served or are serving in Latin America – ask the president “to take whatever diplomatic and economic steps are necessary” to achieve that goal. A copy of the letter also was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has been in Costa Rica since being forced into exile after a June 28 military coup. According to news reports, Zelaya was at odds with Honduran lawmakers about a constitutional referendum he favored that had been ruled illegal by the country’s supreme court.

In a statement following the coup, the Rev. Edward Paup, top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, prayed for peace and stability in Honduras.

“We are distressed by the events around the removal of a democratically elected head of state,” he said. “Lawful process is the only guarantee a society has for sustaining systems of justice and fairness, which include religious liberty and opportunities for economic advancement. We join our voice with those of other church and humanitarian organizations in calling for a restoration of democratic processes in Honduras.”

Honduras is a “mission initiative” of the Board of Global Ministries, with a focus on the rural poor and 12 congregations around the country. Six missionaries currently serve in Honduras, and volunteer mission teams help build housing, provide health services and offer educational opportunities.

Better relations

In their letter to President Obama, the missionaries said they appreciated the “new and refreshing tone” that he has established in relations between the U.S. government and other countries in the hemisphere.

“Your interest in genuine partnership promises both greater economic development and more mature democratic institutions, both of which will improve the quality of life for the region’s poor majority,” they wrote.

Calling the coup “a profound challenge” to recent governments in the region that now give adequate attention to those on the margins of society, the missionaries applauded the Obama’s decision “to immediately characterize the overthrow as an illegal coup” and his support for the actions of the Organization of American States, which has called for the Zelaya’s immediate reinstatement.

“These initiatives, however, have failed to restore democracy in Honduras, and the Honduran people have paid a heavy price, suffering from media censorship and other serious restrictions to their fundamental human liberties,” the letter said.

“While we understand that diplomacy is seldom a quick fix, we nonetheless believe that a prompt resolution to this crisis is necessary in order to set a precedent throughout the region that democratically elected governments cannot be overthrown without a robust and timely regional response.”

‘In violation of Honduran law’

Although Hondurans have a “diversity of opinion” about Zelaya and his administration, the missionaries argue that “his overthrow was carried out in violation of Honduran law, and that those who today control the de facto government of Honduras have no legitimate right to do so.”

The missionaries urged President Obama “to examine any involvement of U.S. government-related agencies” that might have been involved in encouraging “the rupture of the democratic process” in Honduras.

“Given the long record of the U.S government in subverting genuine democracy throughout the region, it is important that your commitment to justice and democracy be reflected by the entire U.S. government,” the letter concluded.

We invite you to join the dialogue. Share your comments.

Post a comment

Missionaries signing the letter were Luis Aramayo, Salinas, Uruguay; Eunice Arias, Salinas, Uruguay; Nora and Wilson Boots, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Carrie Brunken, Montclair, N.J.; Martha Collier, Decatur, Ga.; Dakin Cook, New York ; Jessica Culley, Philadelphia; Judith Feaster, Shinnston, W.V.; Belinda Forbes, Managua, Nicaragua; Victoria J. Furio, Yonkers, N.Y.; Carter Garber, Decatur, Ga.; Daniel Heiner, Nindiri, Nicaragua; Howard and Peggy Heiner, Ashland, Ore.; Joyce Hill, Norwalk, Conn.; and Paul Jeffrey, Eugene, Ore.

Also, Miguel Mairena, Managua, Nicaragua; Rosy Martinez, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Janet and Roy May, San Jose, Costa Rica; Nan McCurdy, Managua, Nicaragua; Margery Jane Miller, Quincy, Ill.; Fred Morris, Nindiri, Nicaragua; Maria and Stephen Newnum, Maringá, Brazil; Jim Perdue Burke, Phoenix; Lyda Pierce, New York; Donald Reasoner, Bergenfield, N.J.;
Jorge Rodriguez, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Darla Rowley, Kingman, Ariz.; Catherine and Ron Whitlatch, Aloha, Ore.; Dan and Kathy Wilson-Fey, Forest Grove, Ore.; and Diane Wimberley de Ancieta, La Paz, Bolivia.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Related Articles

Honduran rivals see U.S. intervention as crucial

Ousted Honduran president gives ultimatum

Honduras president arrested in military coup

Resources

United Methodist Missionary Association

Board of Global Ministries

Honduras Mission Initiative

Advance Projects: Honduras