What Happened
Monseñor Ulloa, described by local media as the leader of the Catholic Church in Panama, called on the faithful to embrace forgiveness and reflection in the days leading up to Semana Santa (Holy Week). He asked the community to live these final Lenten days with recollection and to seek reconciliation with God.
In published comments highlighted by TVN 2, Monseñor Ulloa warned about long-held bitterness, saying there are “gente que lleva 50 años arrastrando resentimientos” — people who carry 50 years dragging resentments — as he urged individuals to let go of those burdens.
Background
Lent and the period immediately before Holy Week are traditionally times for prayer, penance and spiritual preparation in the Catholic calendar. Clergy commonly encourage confession, reconciliation and inward reflection as part of that observance. Monseñor Ulloa’s message follows that pastoral pattern, focusing on personal and communal healing rather than specific policy or political matters.
What This Means
By emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation, Monseñor Ulloa is reinforcing a message aimed at strengthening interpersonal and spiritual ties ahead of one of the Church’s most important liturgical seasons. His reference to decades-long resentments underscores a pastoral concern for emotional and relational wounds that can persist across generations.
For congregations and community groups, such a call can prompt local parish activities — from quieter individual reflection to organized reconciliation services — and may lead families and neighbors to address persistent conflicts. While the appeal is religious in tone, its potential social effect touches on communal cohesion and personal well-being as people prepare for Holy Week observances.
Monseñor Ulloa’s invitation to reconcile with God and others came as Panama moves into the most solemn days of the Lenten calendar, a time when many look inward and reassess relationships and priorities.