ELCA Presiding Bishop Appeals To Saca Regarding University Slaying

Mark Hanson, the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and President of the Lutheran World Federation, appealed to Salvadoran President Tony Saca to ensure a thorough investigation of the robbery at the Salvadoran Lutheran University in San Salvador and the vicious murder of the campus security guard, Manuel de Jesus Martinez. The ELCA press release states:

"We are concerned about the future safety of this entire university community, those employed there as well as faculty and students," Hanson said, asking the president of El Salvador to "direct the Policia Nacional Civil to provide increased protection to the university and the surrounding area. We are concerned that further violence could be directed toward the university, which will make it impossible to fulfill its educational mission."

In September 2004 Hanson visited the university. The ELCA "has strong relationships with both the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and the university," he said. "I was very impressed with the commitment of this relatively young university to serve the poor of El Salvador through its course offerings and scholarships for members of marginalized communities."

As noted here earlier, the police have announced the capture of two suspects and the recovery of most of the computers and other equipment stolen from the University during the crime.