Why did the Pope's favorite suddenly resign? More details.

 Why Pope Francis asked La Plata Archbishop Gabriel Mestre to resign: "It hurts..."

The departure of the now former Archbishop of La Plata, Gabriel Mestre, did not cease to be striking and surprising. The priest himself, who had taken office less than a year ago in place of Víctor Manuel "Tucho" Fernández, acknowledged in an open letter that it was Pope Francis himself who asked him to resign, which was finally accepted.  

(source wikipedia)

On Monday, the Vatican, in its Official Gazette, confirmed the news: "The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of La Plata (Argentina), presented by His Excellency Most Reverend Monsignor Gabriel Antonio Mestre." Of course, he did not provide further explanations as to why he was leaving the position in our city that he had assumed at the end of July 2023.  In the letter that Mestre made public, he was clear: "A few days ago, the Holy See summoned me to Rome to discuss some aspects of the Diocese of Mar del Plata after my transfer to the Archdiocese of Mar del Plata when I was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop by Pope Francis." And he explained: "In the Eternal City, after confronting some different perceptions with what happened in the Diocese of Mar del Plata from November 2023 to the present, Pope Francis asked me to resign from the see of La Plata." From this it can be deduced that the reasons for the request for the removal of the diocese of La Plata are related to his criticism of the particular situation of Mar del Plata.  

To understand the situation a little better, it is worth clarifying that the Diocese of the seaside town has experienced several resignations in recent months.  First that of Monsignor José María Baliña, appointed to the head of the Diocese and then that of his successor in the position, Monsignor Gustavo Larrázabal, in addition to the surprise transfer of Father Luis Albóniga to the Diocese of Jujuy. It would be this situation that could be key to understanding the decision taken on Monday by the Holy See.  It should be mentioned that according to the juridical order of Canon Law, bishops present their resignation to the Pontiff when they reach the age of 75, twenty more than Mestre is now now at 55 years old.

MESTRE'S LETTER: "I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY"

Gabriel Mestre published a public letter to bid farewell to the faithful of La Plata, but in it he left out the details of his departure. "Today I cease to be your pastor.  I want to tell you that I have been very happy these eight and a half months and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I have enjoyed every encounter with lay men and women of all ages, with consecrated men and women, with seminarians, deacons, priests and auxiliary bishops.  Thank you for making me feel at home!  Thank you for the gestures of delicacy and kindness in each of the visits!  Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your lives!  I was truly able to experience the diversity and depth of faith in God of many of you, committed faith that edified and enriched me more than once," he began by saying.

The Archbishop of La Plata, Gabriel Mestre, resigned at the request of Pope Francis

Then he said that "it hurts me to leave, it hurts me to leave you as pastor of this Particular Church that is on pilgrimage in La Plata, but I am sure that God has much better plans that today I cannot finish deciphering.  I trust in the Lord because Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)! I will always carry you in my heart, I will pray for you and I entrust you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the intercession of Blessed Ludovica and Blessed Eduardo Pironio, so that you may prepare for this new stage in expectation of the new pastor that the Lord will give you through dear Pope Francis."

But before that, he explained what he said: "A few days ago, the Holy See summoned me to Rome to discuss some aspects of the diocese of Mar del Plata after my transfer to the Archdiocese of Mar del Plata when I was appointed metropolitan archbishop by the Pope.

In the Eternal City, after confronting some different perceptions with what happened in the Diocese of Mar del Plata from November 2023 to the present, Pope Francis asked me to resign from the see of La Plata." In closing, he wrote: "I embrace you tightly in Jesus the Good Shepherd, with the affection and affection of always." Mestre was born in Mar del Plata and was ordained a priest on 16 May 1997 by Monsignor José María Arancedo, then Bishop of La Feliz.  He was chosen bishop of that city on July 18, 2017 by Pope Francis; and ordained bishop on 26 August 2017 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Cecilia in Mar del Plata by Monsignor Antonio Marino, Bishop emeritus of the Diocese (co[1]consecrators Monsignor José María Arancedo, Archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, and Monsignor Juan Alberto Puiggari, Archbishop of Paraná). Later, on July 28, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of La Plata.  In addition, within the Argentine Episcopal Conference, he is President of the Commission of Catechesis, Animation and Biblical Ministry.

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