Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Gang Murders Church of God Pastor in Honduras; Stabbed for Not Paying "Protection Tax" for Safety

A Church of God pastor in the city of Choloma, Honduras, was murdered on April 10 by two young gang members who had earlier demanded a "protection tax" to keep church members safe from their attacks, the Charisma News website reports today (April 8, 2014).

Maria Francisca Sevilla, 39 -- the mother of three children -- was co-pastor with her husband, Geovanny, of a church in this third largest city of Honduras. According to reports, she was surprised in her home by her attackers when she returned from taking one of her children to an afternoon school session.

The pastoral residence is attached to the church building. She was stabbed repeatedly, fighting against her assailants and calling for help, but she died in the church doorway before help arrived.

Police learned that a year ago, gang members had extorted money from the pair, threatening to harm the children and church members if payment was not made. Apparently, the gang members expect to be paid the "protection tax" every year, and failure to pay it may result in death.

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