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The Sacred See of Panamá

A Chronicle of Faith and Foundation: Exploring the history, structure, and leadership of this significant ecclesiastical province.

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Archdiocesan Overview

Ecclesiastical Foundation

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Panamá, originally established as the Diocese of Santa María de La Antigua del Darién on August 28, 1513, holds a significant place in the history of the Catholic Church in the Americas. Its see was later relocated to Panamá City, becoming the Diocese of Panamá on December 7, 1520, and subsequently elevated to an Archdiocese on November 29, 1925.

Geographic and Administrative Scope

Situated in the Republic of Panama, the Archdiocese serves as the ecclesiastical province for several suffragan dioceses and a territorial prelature. Its administrative center is in Panamá City, with the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception serving as its principal church.

Current Leadership

The current Metropolitan Archbishop is Jose Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A. The Holy See is represented by Pope Leo XIV. The Archdiocese also benefits from the wisdom of its Archbishop Emeritus, José Dimas Cedeño Delgado.

Historical Trajectory

Early Establishment and Relocation

Erected on August 28, 1513, the initial Diocese of Santa María de La Antigua del Darién was located along the Atrato River. The see was strategically moved to Panamá City on December 7, 1520, reflecting the growing importance of the region. This foundational period laid the groundwork for the Church's presence in the New World.

Elevation to Archdiocese

The Diocese of Panamá experienced a significant transformation when it was elevated to the status of an Archdiocese on November 29, 1925. This elevation marked a new phase of growth and influence for the Catholic Church within Panama and the broader ecclesiastical province.

Episcopal Succession

Ordinaries of Panamá

The lineage of bishops who have guided the Archdiocese is extensive, dating back to its erection as a diocese. The following individuals have served as Ordinaries:

  • Juan de Quevedo Villegas, O.F.M. (1513–1519)
  • Vicente de Peraza, O.P. (1520–1526)
  • Martin de Bejar, O.F.M. (1527–1530)
  • Vicente de Valverde, O.P. (1533–)
  • Tomás de Berlanga, O.P. (1534–1537)
  • Pablo de Torres, O.P. (1546–1560)
  • Juan de Vaca, O.S.B. (1561–1565)
  • Francisco de Abrego, O.S. (1566–1574)
  • Manuel de Mercado Aldrete, O.S.H. (1576–1580)
  • Bartolomé de Ledesma, O.P. (1580–1583)
  • Bartolomé Martinez Menacho y Mesa (1587–1593)
  • Pedro Duque de Rivera, S.J. (1594–1594)
  • Antonio Calderón de León (1598–1605)
  • Agustín de Carvajal, O.S.A. (1605–1612)
  • Francisco de la Cámara y Raya, O.P. (1612–1624)
  • Cristóbal Martínez de Salas, O. Praem. (1625–1640)
  • Hernando de Ramírez y Sánchez, O.SS.T. (1640–1652)
  • Bernardo de Izaguirre de los Reyes (1654–1660)
  • Diego López de Vergara y Aguilar (1662–)
  • Sancho Pardo Cárdenas y Figueroa (1667–1671)
  • Antonio de León y Becerra (1671–1676)
  • Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita (1677–1688)
  • Diego Ladrón de Guevara (1689–1699)
  • Juan de Argüelles, O.S.A. (1699–1711)
  • Juan José Llamas Rivas, O.C. (1714–1719)
  • Bernardo de Serrada y Villate, O.C. (1720–1725)
  • Agustín Rodríguez Delgado (1725–1731)
  • Pedro Morcillo Rubio de Suñón (1731–1741)
  • Diego de Salinas y Cabrera, O.S.A. (1741–1741)
  • Juan de Castaneda Velásquez y Salazar (1742–1749)
  • Felipe Manrique de Lara y Polanco (1749–1750)
  • Juan B. Tabarga y Durana (1750–1750)
  • Valentín Moran Menéndez, O. de M. (1750–1751)
  • Francisco Javier de Luna Victoria y Castro (1751–1758)
  • Juan Manuel Jerónimo de Romaní y Carrillo (1758–1763)
  • Miguel Moreno y Ollo (1763–1770)
  • Francisco de los Ríos y Armengol, O.P. (1770–1776)
  • José Antonio Umeres de Miranda (1777–1791)
  • Remigio de La Santa y Ortega (1792–1797)
  • Manuel Joaquín González de Acuña y Saenz (1797–1813)
  • Simón López García, C.O. (1814–1815)
  • José Higinio Durán y Martel, O. de M. (1816–1823)
  • Juan José Cabarcas González y Argüello (1835–1847)
  • Juan Francisco del Rosario Manfredo y Ballestas (1847–1850)
  • Eduardo Vásquez, O.P. (1856–1869)
  • Ignacio Antonio Parra (1870–1875)
  • José Telésforo Paúl, S.J. (1875–1884)
  • Jose Alejandro Peralta (1886–1899)
  • Francisco Javier Junguito, S.J. (1901–1911)
  • Guillermo Rojas y Arrieta, C.M. (1912–1933)
  • Juan José Maíztegui y Besoitaiturria, C.M.F. (1933–1943)
  • Francisco Beckmann, C.M.F. (1945–1963)
  • Tomas Alberto Clavel Méndez (1964–1968)
  • Marcos Gregorio McGrath, C.S.C. (1969–1994)
  • José Dimas Cedeño Delgado (1994–2010)
  • Jose Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A. (2010–present)

Coadjutor and Auxiliary Bishops

The Archdiocese has also been served by Coadjutor and Auxiliary Bishops who provided essential support:

Coadjutor Bishop:

  • Juan Francisco del Rosario Manfredo y Ballestas (1845-1847)

Auxiliary Bishops:

  • Juan José Maíztegui y Besoitaiturria, C.M.F. (1932-1933)
  • Francisco Beckmann, C.M. (1940-1945)
  • Marcos G. McGrath, C.S.C. (1961-1964)
  • Carlos Ambrosio Lewis Tullock, S.V.D. (1965-1986)
  • José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán, O.A.R. (1985-1994)
  • Oscar Mario Brown Jiménez (1985-1994)
  • Fernando Torres Durán (1996-1999)
  • José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A. (2004-2010)
  • Pablo Varela Server (2004-2019)
  • Uriah Adolphus Ashley Maclean (2015-2019)

Priests Elevated to Episcopacy

Several priests from the Archdiocese have gone on to serve as bishops in other sees:

  • José María Carrizo Villarreal (appointed Bishop of Chitré in 1963)
  • Rafael Valdivieso Miranda (appointed Bishop of Chitré in 2013)

Territorial Evolution

Historical Territorial Adjustments

Over its long history, the Archdiocese has seen significant territorial changes, with parts of its jurisdiction being organized into new dioceses and vicariates:

Year Along with To form
1534 Diocese of Cartagena
1534 Diocese of León en Nicaragua
1546 Diocese of Popayán
1925 Vicariate Apostolic of Darién
1955 Diocese of David
1962 Diocese of Chitré
1963 Diocese of Santiago de Veraguas
1993 Diocese of Penonomé

Key Statistics

Demographics and Structure

As of recent data, the Archdiocese encompasses a significant geographical area and serves a substantial Catholic population:

  • Area: 13,275 km² (5,126 sq mi)
  • Total Population: 704,117
  • Catholic Population: 633,705 (90%)
  • Parishes: 88

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Panamá Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical, religious, or ecclesiastical consultation. Always refer to official Church documents and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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