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.