Elímar Carvajal

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Elímar Gerardo Carvajal Durán (born 6 May 1976) is a Costa Rican Roman Catholic prelate who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Puntarenas since 2026. Appointed by Pope Leo XIV on 20 June 2026, he became the youngest serving Catholic bishop in Costa Rica at the time of his appointment.[1][2]

Early life and education

Carvajal Durán was born on 6 May 1976 in Grecia, in the Diocese of Alajuela. He studied philosophy and theology at the National Seminary Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Costa Rica. He later earned a Licentiate in Marriage and Family Sciences from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Valencia, Spain, and obtained a diploma in Participatory Pastoral Planning from CEBITEPAL of CELAM.[1]

Priestly ministry

Carvajal Durán was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Alajuela on 1 November 2003 by Bishop José Rafael Barquero Arce.[3]

His pastoral assignments have included:

  • Vice-parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Grecia (2003–2005);
  • Vice-parish priest of San Guzmán, Orotina (2006–2007);
  • Parish priest of Sagrada Familia, Invu Las Cañas (2008–2011);
  • Parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Grecia (2011–2019);
  • Forane vicar of the Vicaría Monseñor Monestel;
  • Vice-parish priest of the Vicaría Monseñor Monestel; and
  • Diocesan Vicar for Pastoral Ministry from 2022 until his episcopal appointment.[1]

Episcopal ministry

On 20 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Óscar Gerardo Fernández Guillén and appointed Carvajal Durán as Bishop of Puntarenas.[1] His appointment was widely noted because, at the age of 50, he became the youngest Catholic bishop serving in Costa Rica.[2][4]

He received episcopal consecration on 6 August 2026. The principal consecrator was Bishop Óscar Gerardo Fernández Guillén.[3]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4]"Resignations and Appointments, 20.06.2026". Holy See Press Office. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  2. 2.[2.2]"El papa León XIV designa como obispo en Costa Rica a Elímar Carvajal, quien se convierte en el prelado más joven". Infobae. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  3. 3.[3.2]"Father Elímar Gerardo Carvajal Durán". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  4. 4."Papa León XIV nombra a Elímar Carvajal Durán obispo de Puntarenas, el obispo más joven de Costa Rica". ACI Prensa. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.