Government Allocates Millions for Religious Organizations

So far during the Juan Carlos Varela administration, $16.7 million has been donated to religious organizations, mostly the Catholic Church.

In March 2017 the Panamanian government under the administration of president Juan Carlos Varela has allocated an additional $8.4 million for the Catholic Church.

Among the donations to the church, the transfer of land in the province of Colon valued at $1.2 million. This decision approved by the National Economic Council (CENA). This donation was made as the church will use the land to develop a cultural and educational center. The Church estimates that the center will be built within five years.

No budget has been announced for the upcoming Catholic Youth Conference and the visit of Pope Francis that will take place in 2019 just before the election.