“Our homeland is bleeding painfully,” he said on Feb. 3, “because of the ferocious violence, because of the growing poverty and lack of respect for life, the breakdown of the family, corruption in the police force, the impact of the drug trade subculture, unstoppable migration and religious confusion.”

Cardinal Maradiaga made his comments during the celebration of the 265th anniversary of the discovery of Our Lady of Suyapa, the patroness of Honduras. President Lobo, as well as other government officials, took part in the event.

Continue news story from Catholic News Agency here.