The cardinal’s disappearance
On the morning of Feb. 1, the Catholic Church in Panama reported that Lacunza had been missing since Jan. 30. The cardinal was found by the police later that afternoon.
On Feb. 4, the cardinal apologized for what had happened, although he did not explain what transpired. A day later, the nation’s attorney general, Javier Caraballo, said that the bishop was being treated as a victim, so his right to “privacy” would be respected.
It is still not known precisely what happened to Lacunza or why the Catholic Church and civil authorities remain silent about it. Nor is it known what the cardinal’s “prank” may have been, as he himself described what took place.
It is not yet known whether the Vatican or Pope Francis have been formally informed about what happened to Panama’s first cardinal. ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, reached out to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni about the matter but did not receive a response by press time.
In addition, the results of the medical exam Lacunza underwent have not been made public beyond some generalities, and it has not been reported whether the cardinal suffers from any ailment.