The dream was to create the new diocese of Danli in the department of El Paraiso and consecrate a new bishop, Monsignor José Antonio Motiño.

The grace of God was shown in the historic celebration of the 11th March 2017.

All of the bishops of Honduras were present, along with numerous priests and religious brothers and sisters from all of the departments in the country. Add to that family, friends and the public in general and around five thousand people celebrated the accomplishment of this desire dating back many years.

The words of Monsignor Canales were clear and well heard and it was a moment of great emotion when he knelt and delared these words :

« I promise before the Lord, and before all of you, the people of God who journey as pilgrims in the department of El Paraiso, that I will struggle with all my force, with all my heart, with all my being, to be the Pastor for whom you have so long waited, a Pastor after the heart of Jesus, following the example of his will, his love and his mercy. »

Before the happiness, the joy and the gratitude of the Pastor of our diocesan Church of Danli, we feel that we too have our part to play in the work, pastoral, ecclesial and social, that will certainly now take on another nature.

We feel that the Lord is great in giving us a Pastor who « knows the smell of his sheep ». This leads us to be in turn ready and willing co-workers in the service of the mission that the Lord has entrusted him to bring to pasture, to accompany and to watch over in this part of the Kingdom of God that is the land of Honduras.

The heart of each and everyone of us is filled with joy, confidence and willingness.

Sr Geraldina Escalante dj