COSTA RICA NEWS – President Luis Guillermo Solís said Thursday morning “we were all taken by surprise”, the understanding that the appointments of bishops in the Luthern Church is for a set period time, acknowledging “knowing little” about the faith that has about 55.000 followers in Costa Rica.
The President assures that “there is no lack of transparency” in dealing with the issue of the Ministerio de la Presidencia (Chief of Staff), Melvin Jiménez, a Lutheran Church bishop and the ongoing process against the naming of him to the post.
Solís said that the Iglesia Luterana de Costa Rica (ILCO) sent on October 27 to the Constitutional Court a document explaining that Jiménez’s appointment as bishop had expired before taking office on May 8.
The controversy over Jiménez’s position in a key government position was referred to the Constitutional Court after opponents questioned the legality of the appointment given that he is a church official, citing constitutional issues.
President Solís refused to replace Jiménez, saying he would only do so if ordered by the Court.
