Bad odour of the shepherds from the Church Francis left behind

Relationship with priest Albóniga could be the key to Mestre's resignation The recent resignation of Monsignor Gabriel Mestre from the archbishopric of La Plata has generated surprise and speculation in the ecclesiastical community. It has been suggested that his decision is closely related to the banishment of Father Luis Albóniga, a close collaborator of the outgoing authority.

Father Luis Albóniga, who held the position of Vicar General of the diocese of Mar del Plata during Mestre's mandate, was later appointed as apostolic administrator after the latter's departure to La Plata. However, his abrupt departure from Mar del Plata was followed by a series of successive appointments to the archbishopric, including Monsignor José María Baliña and then Gustavo Larrazábal, neither of whom ever fully assumed the position.

After both resignations, the priest Albóniga was sent to Jujuy by Pope Francis, banishing him to carry out an exhaustive canonical investigation during his interim office after the departure of Mestre and the arrival of his failed successor. According to various sources revealed to REALPOLITIK, Albóniga would have operated in his favor to be named bishop, with the support of Mestre, and to the detriment of Baliña and Larrazábal.

In a letter published last Monday, May 27, Mestre revealed that he was summoned to Rome by Pope Francis to discuss aspects of his management in Mar del Plata. In this framework, he acknowledged having confronted divergent perceptions about his performance from November 2023 to date. It was at that moment that the Pope asked him to resign after the May 25 Te Deum.

The resignation of Monsignor Mestre leaves open numerous questions about the future of the diocese of La Plata and the course of the investigation in Mar del Plata. For this reason, the faithful expect a prompt resolution and transparency in this delicate ecclesiastical matter.

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