The Argentine Episcopal Conference elected the new authorities this week who will command the destinies of the local Church until 2027. The new president will be the current archbishop of Mendoza, Monsignor Marcelo Daniel Colombo, aligned with the Pope Francis.
Within the framework of its 125th Plenary Assembly, which takes place at the “El Cenáculo” Retreat House, in Pilar, and which began on Monday and will last until this Friday, the Argentine Episcopal Conference announced the renewal of its Executive Commission for the 2024-2027 triennium.
The new authorities of the Argentine Church
With the vote of 98 bishops from all over the country, the new hierarchical scheme of the vernacular Church was formed as follows.
- President: Monsignor Marcelo Daniel Colomboarchbishop of Mendoza.
- 1st Vice President: Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossiarchbishop of Córdoba.
- 2nd Vice President: Monsignor César Daniel Fernándezbishop of Jujuy.
- Secretary General: Monsignor Raúl Pizarroauxiliary bishop of San Isidro.
After hearing the news, Colombo shared a message on his social networks. “There is a team! With Cardinal Ángel Rossi, Archbishop of Córdoba, Mons. César Fernández, Bishop of Jujuy and Mons. Raúl Pizarro, Auxiliary Bishop of San Isidro, we were elected by our brother bishops from all over the country, to join the Commission Executive of the Episcopate”wrote.
And he concluded: “Let us together ask God to serve the pilgrim people of God in Argentina with a generous heart.”
The deliberations were led by Monsignor Oscar Vicente Ojeabishop of San Isidro and president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, together with the members of the Executive Commission that make up Monsignor Marcelo Daniel Colomboarchbishop of Mendoza and first vice president; Monsignor Carlos Alfonso Azpiroz Costa OP, archbishop of Bahía Blanca and second vice president; and monsignor Alberto Germán Bochatey OSAapostolic administrator of La Plata and general secretary of the Episcopate.
In the opening homily, Monsignor Ojea recalled that “Pope Francis has spoken to us at length in Laudato Si’ about the paradigm of care with respect to creation.”
“In recent years, as a result of abuses of different types, we have been talking a lot about this attitude. Attention and care are the embodiments of charity. Whoever loves cares, pays attention. Saint Augustine said ‘Where there is love, there are eyes.’ That attention is what we must have as shepherds who watch over their flock,” said.
On the other hand, the priest indicated that “The transparency that the Church asks of us today is a help to fulfill our mission, not a control that oppresses or overwhelms us” and that, on the contrary, “it is a great help that facilitates our ministry and improves it.” “Care is a prophecy in the midst of neglect and discard in a world where life is not valued in so many aspects,” he explained.
Agenda
This Wednesday, meanwhile, the days of renewal of authorities, which had begun on Tuesday, ended. Presidents and members of 20 Commissions, 2 Episcopal Councils and 4 Delegations were also elected.
Likewise, the election of the regional delegates that make up the Permanent Commission was carried out. In total, the 125th Plenary Assembly will elect, for the next triennium, a total of 115 positions.
In addition, the presentation and voting of the organization’s budget will take place on Thursday. The bishops will receive, from the participants in the second Synodal Assembly, a report on what they worked on in Rome last October, during the Synod and will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the planning of the Jubilee Year.
On Friday, November 15, the work will close with a Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Lujan at 12:00 p.m.
Source: Ambito
