Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge García Cuerva delivered a series of reflections on Argentina’s social, political and economic situation on Wednesday as he marked the July 9 national holiday with a pointed ‘Te Deum’ homily.
In a message centred on dialogue, unity and solidarity, García Cuerva criticised intolerance, "cruelty towards the weakest," corruption and individualism – comments that some political onlookers saw as a pointed rebuke of the government of President Javier Milei.
The Catholic leader called for people to "build bridges where some want to erect walls" and concluded his address with a quote from national football team captain Lionel Messi to underline the value of teamwork.
García Cuerva delivered his remarks as President Milei watched on in the first row of the audience at the Buenos Aires City Metropolitan Cathedral, delivering a sermon filled with strong references to Argentina's social and political realities.
Against division
The archbishop, who has repeatedly denied having any party-political affiliation and insists his mission is to build bridges and accompany the most vulnerable sectors of society, studiously avoided mentioning any political leaders by name during his homily.
But in one of the central passages of his sermon, the cleric warned against those who "take advantage of opportunities to divide us" and criticised those who remain "hidden away, throughout every era, in caves of corruption," amid deepening inequality. They are "making the poor poorer and, scandalously, themselves ever richer," condemned the religious leader.
"Let us ask God together to free us from indifference and insensitivity towards those who suffer," García Cuerva said, adding: "Let us give thanks for those who continue to believe in fraternity, who are moved by the suffering of others, committed to the small but great acts of solidarity and love for one's neighbour, despite criticism and cruel comments that only deepen wounds without resolving anything."
"Social wounds require the temperance of dialogue, social justice and non-negotiable honesty," he continued, adding that "this is not about seeming to be something, but about demonstrating transparency. It is not about this or that political party or whichever government happens to be in office, but about being honest."
Throughout the sermon, García Cuerva urged Argentines to put divisions aside and build consensus.
"On this July 9, let us commit ourselves to walking together towards the comprehensive development that our people so deeply long for, building bridges where some want to erect walls," he said.
Messi reference
At one point, the archbishop even turned to football, quoting national team skipper Messi and his words after the country's triumph at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. García Cuerva recalled the importance of building "a collective dream" and highlighted the idea that "the group comes before individuals,” comparing the footballer’s statements to wider society.
President Milei had returned to Buenos Aires in the early hours of the morning after concluding Independence Day events in Tucumán. He walked from Government House to the Metropolitan Cathedral, where he was greeted at the entrance by García Cuerva and other Church leaders.
Among those attending the service were Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri and several of Milei’s Cabinet ministers, led by Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli, Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei, Senator Patricia Bullrich and top presidential adviser Santiago Caputo
Milei ally attacks
Following the homily, La Libertad Avanza national deputy Lilia Lemoine strongly criticised García Cuerva.
In a post on social media platform X, the lawmaker attacked García Cuerva's message, in which he had called for national unity and warned against corruption and the lack of transparency.
"Cuerva's speeches are hypocritical and boring. Such an important role for the Catholic faith occupied by someone who tries to convey empathy and justice but ends up sounding arrogant and hollow," she wrote.
She later expanded on her criticism, adding: "I can't remember sermons as demotivating as these, and I went to Mass every week for 13 consecutive years.”
“The first time I thought, 'Fine, he had a bad day.' The second time: 'OK, he's a Peronist, I understand his frustration.' Now there are no excuses. He does not represent the values I was taught in the Church,” claimed the national deputy, who found fame as a prominent professional cosplayer and make-up artist and image consultant for President Milei.
Quotes from García Cuerva's homily
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"The parable of the Good Samaritan is an icon that reveals the fundamental choice we must make if we are to rebuild this homeland that we both love and that causes us pain."
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"In the face of suffering, in the face of so many wounds, the only way forward is to be like the Good Samaritan."
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"Every other choice leaves us either on the side of the robbers or among those who simply walk past without showing compassion for the wounded traveller."
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"At times, Argentine society also walks dangerous roads, not because of geography, but because they lead nowhere good."
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"The road of intolerance, of constant confrontation, of disparaging others because they think differently or are different, the road of cruelty towards the weakest."
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"Some take advantage of opportunities to divide us, setting us against one another and stealing our hope of moving forward together."
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"Hidden away throughout every era in caves of corruption, making the poor poorer while they themselves become scandalously richer."
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"This is not about belonging to one political party or another, or whichever government happens to be in office. It is about whether we are honest and transparent, whether we truly are what we appear to be, now and always."
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"The robbers have also travelled the roads of our history, stealing dreams from young people, stealing opportunities for progress from working families and stripping the most vulnerable of their dignity."
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"The people want a better life and are far removed from the endless arguments conducted in their name by political leaders, arguments that bear little relation to reality."
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"Let us ask God together to free us from indifference and insensitivity towards those who suffer."
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