Archdiocese of Panamá
Stored: Archdiocese of Panamá
| Diocese: Archdiocese of Panamá | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Archdiocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Panamá |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Diocese of Chitré, Diocese of Colón-Kuna Yala, Diocese of David, Diocese of Penonomé, Diocese of Santiago de Veraguas, Territorial Prelature of Bocas del Toro |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | |
| Country: | Panama |
| Region: | Panamá |
| Bishop: | José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta |
| Website: | https://arquidiocesisdepanama.org/ |
| Newspaper: | |
| Catholic Percentage: | 85.0% |
| Catholic Elementary Schools: | |
| Catholic High Schools: | |
| Deaneries: | |
| Priests: | 178 |
| Existence: | 1513– |
| Predecessor Diocese: | |
| Successor Diocese: | |
| Catholic Hospitals: | |
| Rating: | 3.0 |
The Archdiocese of Panamá, a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite, is an active archdiocese encompassing parts of Panama Province and Panamá Oeste Province in the Republic of Panama. Originally erected as the Diocese of Santa María la Antigua del Darién in 1513 by Pope Leo X and elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1925, it is currently led by Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta as of 2010. As the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of Panamá, it oversees several suffragan dioceses and serves a predominantly Catholic population. A notable aspect is its historical significance as the oldest diocese on the American mainland, with the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua serving as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Panama City's historic district.
Establishment
The Diocese of Santa María la Antigua del Darién was erected on 28 August 1513 by Pope Leo X, making it the first diocese established on the American mainland.[1] The see was transferred to Panama City and renamed the Diocese of Panamá on 7 December 1520. It was elevated to an archdiocese on 29 November 1925 and became metropolitan in 1955.
History
The archdiocese has undergone several territorial adjustments, losing portions to establish new dioceses over the centuries.[2] In 2019, it hosted World Youth Day, a major international Catholic event attended by hundreds of thousands. The archdiocese is currently celebrating its centennial as an archdiocese in 2025–2026 with jubilee events.
Geography
The archdiocese covers approximately 11,957 square kilometers in central Panama, including districts in Panamá and Panamá Oeste provinces.[3] It forms the Ecclesiastical Province of Panamá.
Mother Church
The Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua in Panama City, a neoclassical structure consecrated in 1796 and designated a minor basilica, serves as the archdiocese’s mother church and is part of the UNESCO-listed historic district.[4]
Leadership
Current Bishop
José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A., has served as archbishop since 2010. An Augustinian with experience in youth ministry, he led the organization of World Youth Day 2019 in Panama.[5]
Auxiliary Bishops
The archdiocese currently has no auxiliary bishops listed.
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Juan de Quevedo, O.F.M. Obs. † | 1513–1519 | First bishop. |
| Vicente de Peraza, O.P. † | 1520–1526 | |
| Francisco de Mendavia † | 1527–1536 | |
| Tomás de Berlanga, O.P. † | 1534–1537 | |
| Pablo de Torres, O.P. † | 1546–1560 | |
| Juan de Vaca, O.F.M. † | 1561–1563 | |
| Francisco de Abrego † | 1565–1571 | |
| Manuel de Mercado, O. de M. † | 1575–1580 | |
| Bartolomé Martinez Menacho, O.F.M. Obs. † | 1580–1583 | |
| Pedro de Oviedo, O.Cist. † | 1587–1595 | |
| Antonio Calderón de León † | 1598–1621 | |
| Francisco de la Cámara y Raya, O.P. † | 1624–1633 | |
| Cristóbal Martínez de Salas, O. Praem. † | 1634–1640 | |
| Hernando de Ramírez y Sánchez, O.SS.T. † | 1641–1650 | |
| Bernardo de Izaguirre de los Reyes † | 1654–1659 | |
| Diego López de Vergara y Aguilar † | 1661–1663 | |
| Sancho Pardo Cárdenas y Figueroa † | 1664–1670 | |
| Antonio de León y Becerra † | 1671–1674 | |
| Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita † | 1675–1688 | |
| Diego Ladrón de Guevara † | 1699–1703 | |
| Juan de Argüelles, O.S.A. † | 1704–1711 | |
| Juan de Necolalde † | 1713–1724 | |
| Agustín de Arreola y Ordóñez, O.F.M. † | 1725–1730 | |
| Francisco de Orozco y Frías † | 1731–1734 | |
| Pedro Morcillo Rubio de Auñón † | 1735–1741 | |
| Diego de Salinas y Zárate, O.S.A. † | 1742–1749 | |
| Felipe Manrique de Lara y de la Rosa † | 1750–1760 | |
| Francisco Javier de Luna Victoria y Castro † | 1761–1772 | |
| Juan José de Eguiara y Eguren † | 1773–1778 | |
| José Antonio Umeres de Miranda † | 1779–1791 | |
| Remigio de la Santa y Ortega † | 1792–1800 | |
| José Telésphor Paúl y Vargas, S.J. † | 1875–1884 | |
| Ignacio Antonio Parra † | 1885–1908 | |
| Francisco Javier Junguito, S.J. † | 1909–1921 | |
| Guillermo Rojas y Arrieta, C.M. † | 1922–1933 | |
| Juan José Maíztegui y Besoitaiturria, C.M.F. † | 1933–1943 | |
| Francisco Beckmann, C.M. † | 1945–1963 | |
| Tomás Alberto Clavel Méndez † | 1964–1968 | |
| Marcos Gregorio McGrath, C.S.C. † | 1969–1994 | |
| José Dimas Cedeño Delgado | 1994–2010 | Emeritus. |
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The archdiocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating: 3.0), with standard liturgical practices and emphasis on both traditional teachings and social outreach, particularly evident in its hosting of World Youth Day and current jubilee celebrations.[7]
Statistics
The archdiocese covers 11,957 square kilometers (4,618 square miles), serves approximately 1,876,000 registered Catholics across 96 parishes, with a total population of about 2,208,000.[8]
Religious Communities
Numerous religious orders are active in the archdiocese, including Augustinians, Vincentians, and others supporting pastoral, educational, and charitable works.[9]
Parishes
| Archdiocese of Panamá |
|---|
|
|
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
| _pageName | City | MailingAddress |
|---|---|---|
| Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi (Archdiocese of Panamá) | Panamá | Casco Antiguo, Avenida B, Panamá |
| Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi (Archdiocese of Panamá) | Panamá | Casco Antiguo, Avenida B, Panamá |
| Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi of La Caleta (Archdiocese of Panamá) | Panamá City | Coco del Mar, Calle 79 Este, San Francisco, Panamá |
The Archdiocese of Panamá operates 96 parishes serving urban and rural communities in central Panama.[10]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The archdiocese supports numerous Catholic schools through its educational offices.
Community Outreach
Programs focus on family support, youth ministry, and social services.
Notable Events or Figures
The archdiocese hosted World Youth Day in 2019, drawing international attention and participation from Pope Francis.[11] It is celebrating its centennial in 2025–2026 with jubilee events.
Dynamic Content
Associated Saints
References
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Panamá". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpana.html. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Panamá". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpana.html. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Archdiocese of Panamá". https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pana0.htm. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Arquidiócesis de Panamá". https://arquidiocesisdepanama.org/. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Panamá". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpana.html. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Panamá". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dpana.html. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Arquidiócesis de Panamá". https://arquidiocesisdepanama.org/. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Archdiocese of Panamá". https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pana0.htm. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Arquidiócesis de Panamá". https://arquidiocesisdepanama.org/. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Archdiocese of Panamá". https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pana0.htm. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ "Arquidiócesis de Panamá". https://arquidiocesisdepanama.org/. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
External Links
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