As reported by Agenzia Fides on 12 January 2022, an indigenous Christian activist was
shot dead by gunmen while on his way to lead a Sunday church service on 9 January in San Marcos de Caiquƒn (Lempira department). He had received death-threats from local criminal groups who wanted his human rights advocacy to stop. According to La Prensa reporting on 3 March 2022, a Roman Catholic priest who had not been seen since he was travelling by car from Santa Cruz de Yojoa to San Pedro Sula on the morning of 3 March was
found dead hours later. His body lay by a bridge and had several gunshot wounds.
World Watch Research (WWR) analyst Rossana Ramirez comments: "As has been highlighted in WWR"s
Full Country Dossier on Honduras (published in March 2022), the increasing levels of violence do not just have social and political consequences, but also affect church communities. According to Open Doors"
World Watch List 2022, the situation for Christians in Honduras has worsened, with the country scoring 48 points, a rise of two points compared to the previous reporting period. Church workers are continually exposed to danger, especially when they are carrying out projects (often involving youth) in areas controlled by criminal groups. It is hoped that the authorities investigating these assassinations are not acting in collusion with organized crime, which would likely lead to impunity for the perpetrators."
