2023-07-28 13:15:00
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
July 28, 2023 / 6:15 a.m.
The Holy See Press Office reported this Friday, July 28, about the appointment of Mons. Gabriel Antonio Mestre, until now Bishop of the Argentine city of Mar del Plata, as the new Archbishop of La Plata.
Pope Francis has appointed to this 54-year-old Argentine Bishop as successor to Bishop Víctor Fernández, who from next September will officially assume the position of Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The future Cardinal, known as “Tucho” Fernández, has held this position for 5 years, since June 2018.
Bishop Gabriel Antonio Mestre was born on September 15, 1968 in Mar del Plata and was ordained a priest on May 16, 1997.
He has a degree in Theology with specialization in Sacred Scripture from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina.
On July 18, 2017, he was appointed Bishop of Mar del Plata, receiving episcopal ordination on the following August 16. He chose as his motto “Jesus Christ is our peace”.
Within the Argentine Episcopal Conference, it is also President of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis, Animation and Biblical Pastoral.
As Bishop, Mons. Mestre has shown closeness to those most in need. An example of this is the visit he made at Christmas 2017 to the city dump to bless the people who work there and to encourage hope.
The Prelate pointed out that “behind each face, each person, there are stories, some very difficult, that need to be blessed and touched by the Lord.”
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú is a Spanish journalist, correspondent for ACI Prensa in Rome and the Vatican, with four years of experience in religious information.
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