Two of the three Panamanian bishops who currently minister abroad could be considered by the Holy See to succeed Archbishop José Dimas Cedeño, who last August presented his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI on the grounds of age, according to sources close to the Panamanian Episcopal Conference.
The three prelates mentioned: Jesuit Julio César Terán Dutari, appointed bishop of the city of Ibarra in Ecuador; Mario Alberto Molina Palma, bishop of El Quiché, Guatemala; and Rómulo Emiliani Sánchez, who exercises the episcopate in San Pedro Sula, Honduras; were all appointed by the late Pope John Paul II.
Terán Dutari is 75 years old and may have reached the end of his career, as per the Code of Canon Law, whereas Emiliani Sánchez and Molina Palma are approaching 60 years of age. Sánchez has 20 years of episcopate experience under his belt, while Molina Palma has three.
The possibility that either of these candidates could be selected is due to Pope Benedict XVI's tendency to appoint bishops native to the country in question. At the same time, others say his affinity for conservative organizations that have been loyal to his pontificate, such as Opus Dei, also holds weight.
Although the name of Cedeño's successor has not yet been decided, the replacement process is likely to be accelerated as the 75-year-old bishop is increasingly experiencing health issues.
Meanwhile, within the conference, two additional candidates have been identified. José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan, current bishop of David, is 64 years old, with 22 years of experience as a bishop. Auxiliary bishop and conference secretary José Domingo Ulloa, is 52, but possesses only four years in the bishopric.
In Episcopal circles, Lacunza has hinted that he has no interest in being promoted, and that he currently has enough responsibilities. However, for many, he is the ideal candidate because of his management and leadership experience.
In the case of Ulloa, he was mentioned as the "sentimental favorite" for his sensitivity and generous spirit, as well as for the fact that he is native to Panama, versus Lacunzo who is of Spanish origin.
However, there are those who argue that his lack of experience renders him unfit as of yet to carry the weight of the Archdiocese.
The successor to José Dimas Cedeño could be appointed after the elections in May. The final decision will ultimately lie in the hands of Pope Benedict XVI. On the pending agenda for whomever shall be designated, are the sex and reproductive health education project (currently held up in the Assembly), and the issues of government corruption, loss of family values, rising crime and insecurity, the proliferation of Protestant sects, and the high cost of living.
