“Unacceptable, As Well As Criminal”: NEAB Speaks Out on Pastor’s Rape Case

The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) called former president Pastor Victor Hernandez’s crimes as “unacceptable, as well as criminal” after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Hernandez was sentenced for raping a member of his congregation twice and sexually assaulting her, despite sentencing guidelines that called for a combined 22 years behind bars. High Court Justice Antoinette Moore handed down the sentence on Monday.

The rapes took place at Hernandez’s business and residence. The sexual assault happened inside his church, with the victim’s teenage daughter present.

In a statement issued Friday, the association said the conviction was “disturbing and saddening to the Church as a whole”, but insisted that the victim must remain the priority.

“The offense was unacceptable, as well as criminal,” the NEAB said. ““We fully accept the Court’s judgment and ruling and encourage the body of Christ to pray for the victim who bravely told her story.”

NEAB said the case exposed “a failure of that sacred principle of leadership in the Kingdom of God” and urged churches to establish stronger boundaries, accountability and safe spaces.

Hernandez, a former president of the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB), was removed from that position after his 2024 arraignment.