During the military coup d’état in Honduras on 28 June, the Jesuit radio station “Radio Progreso” was shut down by the Army. The Provincial Commission of the Social Apostolate of the Society of Jesus’s Central American province issued a statement on 7 July condemning this action, explaining that the radio station had re-opened but faces constant threats. The statement, signed by Francisco Iznardo SJ, the coordinator of the social apostolate of the Central American province, continues:

“Radio Progreso thinks that beyond the disputes between two factions of government, ‘civil society has the right to walk the streets and make its voice heard, not because the government of Miguel Zelaya has been a good one, but because a coup d’état will bring us a much worse political and social illness than what we had with the chaotic administration’ of President Zelaya and his group. The Provincial Commission of the Social Apostolate of the Society of Jesus’s Central American province shares the analysis of Radio Progreso, and considers that the path to political freedom can only be guaranteed if the various sources of public opinion can make their own contribution in the search for truth.” Read the full statement here (in English):http://www.entreculturas.org/noticias/news/jesuits_stand_on_honduras_events or here (in Spanish): http://www.alboan.org/portal/seccion.asp?N=388

This statement, as well as the position of Radio Progreso and the social apostolate in Honduras, was strongly supported by the 57 participants at the Latin American Social Apostolate meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Read their statement (in Spanish) here:http://gumilla.org/?p=news&id=12478300168934

On the Sunday following the start of the crisis, local people came to Radio Progreso’s office to pray together for a solution. They came in such large numbers to show their support that Mass had to be celebrated outside. Although the website of Radio Progreso, www.radioprogresohn.com, is currently not functioning, you can listen to Radio Progreso’s programme live through this link:http://www.edgardramos.com/radiotv/radio-progreso-honduras-internet.