Does the Pope want authentic democratic life in Honduras?

By Ayinde
July 12, 2009

No!

The Pope has joined the U.S. in encouraging coup leaders in Honduras to continue to seek change through the route of insurrection rather than through use of the ballot box. By calling for "peaceful dialogue to ensure 'authentic democratic life' in Honduras" (July 12, 2009), the Pope is giving support to the misleaders of the coup who have claimed that their actions were about protecting democracy.

Why should there be dialogue between President Manuel Zelaya — the rightful president of Honduras — and the terrorist coup leaders in order for him to return to office?

Instead of being forthright and denounce the coup for what it is (an elitist ploy to wrestle control from a president who is following in the vein of Hugo Chavez by enacting policies that favour the disenfranchised) the Pope has maintained their traditional position of defending corrupt White elites in society.

The actions by both the Pope and the U.S. seek to embolden White elites throughout Latin America who feel that they have lost ground since left-wing leaders got elected. They now feel encouraged to continue using coups as a means of wresting power. The Pope and the U.S. are undermining democracy by continuing with their habit of supporting and encouraging White elite financial and political control by any means available. They were never about democracy.

The Catholic Church also backed the short-lived coup in Venezuela, which should have served as a reminder of its historical role in the oppression of indigenous people. For the most part, these Christian institutions remain tied to their colonial legacy of largely serving the interest of White elites.

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