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Vatican City

Updated Thursday, February 15, 2024-13:39

  • Church The Spanish cardinal José Luis Lacunza, disappeared in Panama

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation as bishop of the diocese of David (Panama) of the Spanish cardinal José Luis Lacunza, who described his disappearance for two days in that country as a "stupid prank", which led to the mobilization of the authorities for his search, the Vatican reported today.

"The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of David (Panama) presented by Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán" and appointed in his place the

Reverend Enrique Saldaña Guerra

"until now

Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Central America

and the Caribbean", is indicated in the daily bulletin of the Holy See.

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International.

Spanish Cardinal José Luis Lacunza describes his two-day disappearance in Panama as a "stupid prank"

  • Editorial: EFE Panama City

Spanish Cardinal José Luis Lacunza describes his two-day disappearance in Panama as a "stupid prank"

Spain.

They find the Spanish cardinal José Luis Lacunza, missing in Panama for two days

  • Editorial: EFE Panama City

They find the Spanish cardinal José Luis Lacunza, missing in Panama for two days

Lacunza, who will turn 80 next week, was found on February 2 "disoriented" but in "good health" in the district of Boquete, an area located about 39 kilometers from the city of David, as reported at the time. the Police, whose agents found him in his car.

"It was a stupid prank, because I didn't do it when I was 15 years old and I have done it

now when I am going to turn 80. What an outrage! The older I am, the more stupid,"

Lacunza expressed to parishioners at a mass held days after the event.

"Before finishing (the mass)

I want to offer you an apology and ask for forgiveness

for the displeasure that I caused you in recent days. I know that you had a bad time, some of you shed abundant tears, I don't deserve them, I tell you sincerely, but I appreciate them. , especially your prayers," he added, without giving further details.

An Augustinian Recollect, Lacunza was born in Pamplona (northern Spain) on February 24, 1944, although

he has lived most of his life as a religious in Panama

. He was named cardinal on February 14, 2015 by Pope Francis.

The new bishop of David (Panama) is

Luis Enrique Saldaña Guerra, 57 years old

, a native of that same town and until now provincial minister of the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Central America and the Caribbean, in Guatemala.