Pastors Ask Police to Respect Churches in Raids
Two men accused of gang ties were arrested inside Honduran churches; pastors ask that operations be carried out at suspects' homes.
The Association of Pastors of Tegucigalpa asked the Honduran National Police this Tuesday, November 10, to respect churches during operations to arrest suspects with alleged gang ties, El Heraldo reported.
The request came from the association's president, Mario Banegas, after two men accused of belonging to criminal structures were arrested inside church buildings.
Two arrests in the middle of worship
One of the cases took place in Tatumbla, Francisco Morazán, where police arrested Douglas Flores Silva, 35, who is identified as an alleged pastor and as having ties to the Pandilla 18 (18th Street gang).
«Opening the door and guarding the house are not opposing tasks.»
The other happened on Sunday in the 19 de Marzo neighborhood of Tegucigalpa: Armando Josué Aguilar Cano, 27, known as "El Pelón," was arrested while taking part in a religious meeting.
In response, Banegas said: "Arrests inside churches, no, we ask that you respect the place." He proposed that officers carry out these procedures at the suspects' homes and not in churches, because they are places of worship.
Real restoration and feigned conversions
The pastors' leader also spoke about people who were imprisoned for crimes and now say they have repented. In his view, many have already served their sentences, been restored and now serve the community, although he acknowledged the pain of families left in mourning.
He mentioned that authorities can turn to investigations, such as phone data extractions, to determine whether someone is still involved in illicit activities. He added that those who have truly left crime behind should have the opportunity to reintegrate into society.
At the same time, he admitted that some people come to churches and fake a conversion to hide other intentions. For that reason, he called on other pastors to examine the conduct of those who arrive and to verify whether their commitment to an upright life is genuine. For him, being in the congregation for one or two years does not rule out a connection to gangs.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). That promise encourages real restoration; the prudence of leaders keeps it from being used as a shield.
The other request: look higher up too
Banegas did not speak only about gangs. He asked authorities to also punish those who, from positions of power, plundered, damaged and harmed the country, instead of focusing their efforts solely on criminal groups.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV). The prophet joins the two things that seem separate here: firmness toward crime and compassion toward the person.
For a church, opening the door and guarding the house are not opposing tasks. If someone returning from a difficult past comes to your congregation, walk with them patiently and honestly; if you serve in leadership, help make sure trust is earned through conduct and not just enthusiasm. What would you do if that person sat down next to you on Sunday?
