The new bishop of the Diocese of San Isidro de El General, Gabriel Enrique Montero, expressed concern over the apathy that Costa Ricans have with politics.
Montero, who was appointed on Tuesday by Pope Francis, replacing Guillermo Loría, asked the presidential candidates to “learn the lesson” and govern for the people instead of “for themselves or their friends”.
Montero, who belongs to the Francisan Order, will be ordained in office at a date that has yet to be defined. The announcement was made at a ceremony in the Nunciatura Apostolica in Rohrmoser.
In a statement by the Vatican, Il Santo Padre Francesco (Pope Francis) accepted the resignation of Mons. Guillermo Loría Garita, as he reached his 75th birthday.
Montero, a native of Moravia (San José), who is 68 years old and the youngest of 12 children, completed his philosophical studies in San José’s Central Seminary and theology in the Higher Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies in Mexico. He obtained a degree in Sacred Scripture in Mexco and a Master’s Degree in Franciscan Studies in New York.
Montero entered the Franciscan order in 1965 and was ordained as a priest on August 16, 1973.