Church leader issues environmental call to 200,000 worshippers and former presidents
A strong call for environmental protection came from the the Archbishop of Panama, to some 200,000 worshipers participating in the first Sunday of Lent pilgrimage in honor of Jesus Nazarene of Atalaya.
Three former presidents were there to hear the message, Martin Torrijos, Mireya Moscoso and Ernesto Perez Balladares. Former mayor Juan Carlos Navarro was also there and Social Development Minister, Guillermo Ferrufino. The current chief magistrate, Ricardo Martinelli, a former regular participant, was not in the congregation.
The main theme of the Archbishop’s message was inspired by increasing natural disasters.
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa, said that "natural events of late invite us to a humble recognition of the damage we are causing to Nature.
"The current ecological conscience is screaming that we have to respect nature, which is the system that sustains life," he said to the cheers of thousands of participating parishioners.
At 12 noon, the procession with the image of the Nazarene traveledaround the square of the Basilica of Atalaya. The statue, drew tears and applause from thousands of parishioners packing the square of the Basilica.
