Church in Costa Rica stripped of right to approve religion teachers
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San José, Costa Rica, Feb 8, 2010 / 02:49 pm (CNA).- Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has stripped the Church of its right to choose which religion teachers it will hire, after reversing a 1972 law stating that the teachers must be approved by the Bishops’ Conference of Costa Rica.

The 4-3 ruling was the result of challenge filed by Randall Trejos Alvarado, who argued that the requirement caused numerous teachers to lose their jobs and constituted intrusion by the bishops into the affairs of public schools.

In Costa Rica, as well as in other countries, the Church has signed agreements with the State allowing the Church to select the candidates who will teach Catholic religion, not only on the basis of intellectual formation, but also on the candidate’s moral life.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: T Fisher
Surrey,B.C.,Canada 03/10/2010 05:22 PM EST
CCC 2229 "As those first responsible for the education of their children parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental... Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise." The Catechism has much more to say on this if you wish to look further. Quite clearly the Church is not to force evangelization on any child against the wishes of it's parent, and so teaches. The Church should have the right to select those who teach it's faith, however, children should not be forced to attend religion classes against parental desires. It has to work both ways. Does Costa Rica have "opting out" as we call it here?
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Published by: Ike
Sweden 02/10/2010 08:04 AM EST
Edgardo: But it does make sense that those who teach the CATHOLIC religion should actually be Catholic, does it not?
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Published by: Edgardo
Maryland 02/08/2010 04:52 PM EST
As a Costa Rican; I a plaudit this decision. I went thru Costa Rica’s public school systems, and know; when we have to attend to the religion class. Some of us, we were not Catholic and we were trite as the enemy. By those whom teach.
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