The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Atalaya, 250 km from the
city of Panama, was the traditional appointment destination for devotees
of Jesus of Nazareth, which every year on March 5 gathers thousands of
faithful. The Archbishop of Panama, His Exc. Mgr. José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A celebrated the great feast and the Mass and spoke about the situation in the country, especially the scourge of corruption.
"Who pays for corruption? The poor, hospitals without medicine, patients without assistance or spiritual care, children without education and catechesis", said Mgr. Ulloa. "No one is exempt from liability, neither the Church, nor the rich or the poor", he said according to the text sent to Fides.
During the Mass, he wanted to consecrate the Country and World Youth Day 2019 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
"Today, after 34 years, we commemorate the visit of John Paul II in Panama, and we also have the joy to have with us one of the 13 copies of the image of Our Lady of Fatima, which are on a pilgrimage around the world, to commemorate the centenary of her appearances in the Cova de Iria, Portugal, and Panama is one of those privileged countries".
"But there is an even greater sin - said Mgr. Ulloa - indifference. This is another of the evils that we have to fight. Because indifference paralyzes us, it does not allow us to move forward".