José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán was born in Pamplona, Spain, on 24 February 1944. He entered the Augustinian Recollects' novitiate in 1963, made solemn vows in 1967, and was ordained a priest on 13 July 1969. He was sent to Panama in 1971 — and has been there ever since. He was rector of the Colegio San Agustín and, from 1985, rector of the Catholic University of Panama, and took Panamanian citizenship the year he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Panama (1985; consecrated January 1986).
In 1994 he became Bishop of Chitré, and on 2 July 1999 Bishop of David, near the Costa Rican border, serving until 2024. He presided over Panama's bishops' conference twice and mediated conflicts between indigenous groups and mining companies. Pope Francis created him a cardinal on 14 February 2015, with the title of San Giuseppe da Copertino — the first cardinal from Panama. His motto is Praesumus si prosumus — “we have authority if we serve.”
Consequential Quotes
Surprised and astonished because I was not expecting it and I had no idea it was coming. Astonished because I feel that it is something I don't deserve and I will try to carry it out as best I can.
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishop of David
Twenty-five years on Panama's western frontier.
Rector of the Catholic University of Panama
Led Panama's Catholic university before becoming a bishop.
Mediator in Chiriquí
Mediated between indigenous communities and mining interests.
Controversies
The 'disappearance' (2024)
In January-February 2024 Lacunza vanished for two days from his home in David, prompting a police search and a prosecutor's investigation; he was found safe. He apologised to the diocese, calling the episode “a stupid prank.” No crime was involved.