The Bishops of Costa Rica called on supporters and critics of the free trade agreement between that country and the United Sates to work together to inform the public on the issue without bias and politicization.

Bishop Angel Sancasimiro of Quesada said, “Before approving the agreement, Costa Ricans should feel certain about what it means for the near future and how they should face it.”

The bishops adopted this stance after hearing from trade experts, politicians and the chief negotiators of the treaty, which in the case of Costa Rica, would mean the country would have to partially open the telecommunications and insurance markets.