Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Argentinian Archbishop

Archbishop Mestre resigns from La Plata, Argentina, without explanation after less than a year in the role. Vatican accepts resignation.

The resignation of Archbishop Gabriel Antonio Mestre of La Plata, Argentina, was accepted by Pope Francis, as announced by the Holy See on Monday. Archbishop Mestre had only been in his position for less than a year before stepping down. The Vatican's press statement confirmed the acceptance of his resignation without providing a specific reason for his decision.

In a statement posted on the archdiocese's Facebook page, Archbishop Mestre expressed his awareness of his own weaknesses and the challenges faced by the Church. He mentioned being summoned to Rome by the Holy See to discuss matters concerning the Diocese of Mar del Plata following his transition to the Archdiocese of La Plata. After some discussions with Pope Francis, Archbishop Mestre was asked to resign from his position.

Despite feeling a sense of peace and obedience to the Holy Father, Archbishop Mestre expressed his sadness at leaving the archdiocese where he had served for eight and a half months. He acknowledged that God has greater plans in store, even though he may not fully understand them at the moment.

Born in Mar del Plata in 1968, Archbishop Mestre was ordained as a priest in 1997 and holds a degree in theology with a specialization in sacred scripture. Prior to his role as Archbishop, he served as a parish priest, vicar general of the diocese, and professor of sacred scripture at the Mar del Plata University School of Theology.

Despite the unexpected nature of his resignation, Archbishop Mestre expressed gratitude for his time in La Plata and his dedication to serving the Church. The reasons behind his departure remain undisclosed, but his commitment to faith and obedience to the Holy Father are evident in his decision to step down.