Panamanian cardinal resigns after mysterious disappearance
February 15, 2024
» Continue to this story on Vatican Press Office
CWN Editor's Note: Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán of David, Panama, who drew notoriety when he disappeared from his residence on January 30 and was missing for two days.
After he was discovered, appearing disoriented, the cardinal apologized to his people, characterizing his disappearance as a “stupid prank.” The episode raised questions as to whether the Panamanian prelate, who was approaching his 80th birthday, was suffering from a deteriorating mental condition.
Cardinal Lacunza had earlier gained notoriety during the 2015 Synod on the Family when—according to the president of the Polish Episcopal Conference—he called on the Church to be “merciful like Moses” and change Catholic teaching on the indissolubility of marriage.
The Vatican announced that Msgr. Luis Enrique Saldaña, a Franciscan provincial who is a native of the David diocese, would become the new Bishop of David.
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