Bishop of Chitré
Rev. Rafael Valdivieso Miranda was born in David, Panama, on March 18, 1968. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the San José Major Seminary in Panama. He obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, and a specialization in priestly formation from the Latin American Institute of Pastoral Theology (ITEPAL) of CELAM in Bogotá. He was ordained a priest on December 16, 1995, for the clergy of the Archdiocese of Panama. Subsequently, he held the following pastoral roles: Parochial Vicar of Santa Ana Parish in Panama, Chaplain of Santo Tomás Hospital, Parish Priest of San José Parish in Chame, and formator, bursar, and professor at the San José Major Seminary in Panama; since 2011, he has served as Rector of the same San José Major Seminary.