The Augustinian Recollect Cardinal received from the hands of the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, the highest recognition of the country for his social and religious work, especially with the celebration of WYD.
The Augustinian Recollect Cardinal José Luis Lacunza was awarded last Friday with the order Vasco Núñez de Balboa. The president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, gave the highest recognition of the country to the bishop of David and to the bishop of Panama, the Augustinian Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa, in a simple act in the presidential palace of the herons.
Panama paid tribute in this way to the two bishops of the Augustinian family for their work in the social and religious fields. Among other things, both have been important figures in the organization of the World Youth Day (WYD) that took place last January in Panama. In addition to this, Lacunza and Ulloa are two references for the Church and society of Panama.
This is what President Varela said after presenting the two priests with this recognition “in the name of the Government of the Republic and of the Panamanian people”. “Today we distinguish with the Vasco Núñez de Balboa decoration two extraordinary priests and missionaries for their valuable service to the country and for their contributions to the Nation in the social, religious, and humanitarian fields and for their recognized public trajectories in the service of the community and the progress of our country,” said the Panamanian president.
Cardinal Lacunza assured that the Medal of Honor endorses that all his work has been for the benefit of Panama and renews his commitment to continue doing what is best for the country, according to the newspaper La Prensa.
The Vasco Núñez de Balboa order received by Monsignor José Luis Lacunza was previously given to the Order of Augustinian Recollects and to the augustinian recollect religious P. Benjamin Ayechu, founder of Colegio San Agustín and the Santa María la Antigua Catholic University (USMA).