Panama Will Build A Statue To A Catholic Saint - Taller Than The Statue of Liberty - "Highest In The World"
"We are going to make an effigy of Santa Maria la Antigua, which will be the highest in the world." So said the president, Ricardo Martinelli, this Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the ceremony to turn over the land that belonged the former American Embassy, for the building of the new facilities for the Children's Hospital. The president said the statue will be even "taller than the Statue of Liberty," with "an equivalent height to the building of the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya." "It will be an icon of this city in the discovery 500 years ago of the South Sea and the first Catholic church on the mainland," added the President. Martinelli said this project will include the contribution of private enterprise.
He also spoke of the upcoming construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral, which will seat 10,000 parishioners, and recalled the restoration of the National Cathedral in the Old Town which is being carried out today. The church of Santa Maria La Antigua was built in the first American city on the mainland, called Santa Maria la Antigua del Darién, which was founded by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1510. According to historical records, the name was given to the city in honor of the Virgen de la Antigua, venerated in Spain, because the Spanish had promised that she helped them to defeat Chief Cémaco, they would name the town after her. (Estrella)
Editor's Comment: A statue of a Catholic Saint? Taller than the Statue of Liberty? Sure, why not. It should be built on the top of Ancon Hill, looking down on the city. And it sure will be cool to see during a lightening storm. Don't expect many donations from the Jewish businessmen in town through. Or the Muslims. Or the Hindus. Or the Buddhists. Or the Nudists. Or the non-Catholic Christians. And that's a great way for rich Catholics to spend their money - on a statue. Much better use of funds than say, giving it to poor people. That would be a waste. Sure. Great idea. I'm all for it. Have fun. Let me know how it turns out. Just so long as this idea doesn't get categorized as another goofball, shoot-from-the-hip notion that has not been properly thought through. I mean, now that it's been announced, you have to do it, right? I mean, blowing off the Saint would be a sin, right? And you go to hell for that, right? Just checking... Quick, pass me a cracker. Better to be safe than sorry. And for the record, the tallest statue in the world is in China at 128 meters tall. By comparison the Statue of Liberty is just 46 meters tall. That's gonna be one big friggin' Saint. Oh, one more thing. The BBVA bank building has 25 floors. At about 10 feet per floor that's about 250 feet, or only 76 meters or so. Need ... bigger ... Saint... And finally, since the historical records indicate Vasco Núñez de Balboa named the city after the Saint because she helped them kick some Indian ass, don't expect the Indigenous people to get behind this project, either. Yeah, good plan...
