Panama’s first cardinal: I’m astonished at my appointment

Last updated on: January 20, 2015 at 11:33 pm by CNA Daily News

Panama’s first cardinal: I’m astonished at my appointment 2015-01-20T23:33:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Panama City, Panama, Jan 20, 2015 / 04:33 pm (CNA).- Among the new cardinals Pope Francis will create in the February consistory is Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan of the Diocese of David, Panama, who will become the first cardinal from that country.

Bishop Lacunza spoke with CNA and shared his experience upon learning of the appointment.

The Panamanian bishop said that when he first received news he would be made a cardinal, he was “surprised and astonished because I was not expecting it and I had no idea it was coming. Astonished because I feel that it is something I don't deserve and I will try to carry it out as best I can.”

Bishop Lacunza was born in Pamplona, Spain, in 1944. In 1963 he entered the novitiate of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, professing solemn vows in 1967. He was ordained a priest of the mendicant order in 1969, and was sent to Panama in 1971, where he has served since.

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Panama in 1985, and received Panamanian citizenship the same year. He was then made Bishop of Chitre in 1994, and has served as Bishop of David since his transfer there in 1999.

Bishop Lacunza is known for mediating conflicts among indigenous groups and development groups such as mining corporations, according to his order.

“I am sure that when Pope Francis thought of me for a cardinal, he thought of me as a bishop of the Panamanian Church, a bishop who works in Panama and hopes to continue working in Panama,” he told CNA.

Bishop Lacunza said the reality in Panama is not very different from the rest of Latin America and the world, where there is much inconsistency between faith and daily life, something the Panamanian bishops have highlighted on numerous occasions.

“One cannot help but be astonished that the majority of Panamanians, 80 to 85 percent, say they are Catholics, and another 10 to 15 percent say they are Christians, and that Panama is a society of so much inequality, where more than 30 percent of the population lives in poverty, with spectacular levels of growth, which shows there is no equity and an equitable distribution of the treasure generated by the country.”

“That continues to be a major complaint for our faith,” he said.

Regarding his new service to the Church as a cardinal, Bishop Lacunza does not see his life changing very much and hopes to continue being the Bishop of David. He is currently waiting for the Holy Father to specify the areas to which he can contribute.

“I think the cardinalate is not only a position to be exercised in Rome but is also a responsibility towards what is cooked up in Rome, as we say in Spanish: that it be served up and digested in the areas where one live and works.”

Bishop Lacunza later referred to the fact that this is the first time in history that a Pope has decided to select a cardinal from Panama.

“The explication that I see is that the Pope has taken into account this country that has just celebrated 500 years of existence and is the door through which the Gospel was brought to the American continent, as the first diocese on solid ground in America was established here.”

Panamanians have received the news of his selection with joy and satisfaction, he noted.

“If they have welcomed the news with pride, they should walk with me now in prayer so that I can fulfill this duty and mission entrusted to me by the Pope,” he added.

Bishop Lacunza is one of 20 men who will be made cardinal at the Feb. 14 consistory. Of these, 15 will be under the age of 75, and thus eligible to vote in the next conclave.

Americas

Previous Post

January 20, 2015

'Given the new situation, a papal trip to Cuba would be hoped for'

Next Post

January 21, 2015 How one CEO sees unrealized potential in special needs kids

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I made a rash vow that cost me my only child after a military victory. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Samson Barak Gideon Jephthah