Jose Luis Lacunza, an Augustinian Recollect, received last November 16 the title, doctor honoris causa from the hands of Hector Requena, Rector of the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI). The Panamanian media explained that the event was held “in that first house of higher learning.”
The award was also a recognition of his dedication to various academic and ecclesiastical fields in Panama. Lacunza has been the director of Colegio San Agustín, rector of the Universidad Catolica Santa Maria La Antigua (USMA), auxiliary bishop of Panama and bishop of Chitré. Since 1999 to the present, he has been the bishop of David.
The rectory of UNACHI, Hector Requena, conferred the medal and handed over the corresponding certificate to the bishop of David with the following citation: “By the authority of the University General Council, this recognition is given to Msgr. Lacunza for his mission in the Catholic Church and by showing his capacity to mediate in national conflicts.”
With the indigenous people
In his talk, Msgr. Lacunza thanked the recognition conferred by the UNACHI and said that such award was not for him, but for the Church: “It is an undeserved recognition for a person with so many faults and errors.” He further emphasized that his task is to work among the poor, with the poorest, that is, the indigenous people of Ngäbe Buglé region, who have been forgotten for years and they need to have their problems resolved. During the said event, which took place in the Elsa Estela Real Auditorium, among those present were the Apostolic Nuncio, Andres Carrascosa, the Archbishop of Panama, Jose Domingo Ulla, the Bishop of Penonomé, Uriah Ashley and the mayor of David, Francisco Vigil.