The President Javier Milei and the bishops of the Argentine Episcopal Conference exchanged letters in recent days, on Christmas Eve. First came the letter from the men of the church, followed by the President’s response.
The exchange was cordial and on good terms. And in both terminals they described the relationship between Milei and the Catholic Church as “very good” and “fluent”although lately it seems to have been marked by a certain coldness, as evidenced by the fact that the bishops have received no response to their request for an audience with the President. Traditionally, bishops personally deliver their Christmas message to the sitting president, but the ritual has not taken place for two years.
Although the conference letter did not contain specific mentions of current problems, it referred to social peace, the poor, workers and the elderly and the needs they face amid the economic situation.
“In this spirit” regarding Christmas, the bishops stated in the letter to Milei sent early last week: “We want to renew our desire for a solid social peace based on care for each individual and especially for those who live in greater fragility: the poor, the workers who support the life of the country every day, and the elderly whose wisdom and experience we must value and accompany.”.
Beyond these mentions, close to the Church, they emphasized that “all entities with which a relationship must be established”, from there with the Government through agreements, support and agreements, both with the executive in general and with the human capital or education sector in particular, among others, the “Relationship is excellent”.
“We know how they work and everything is arranged with the church.”Sources close to the latter emphasize to this newspaper. From there, they also highlighted “how the relationship has evolved since December 2023, when Milei took power.”
In his response in the conference letter, Milei thanked “sincerely for the greetings and wishes.” “I appreciate the call for reflection, social peace and commitment to the common good,” adding: “We continue to work tirelessly to create the conditions that allow all Argentines to develop in freedom, with dignity and with real opportunities for progress, paying particular attention to those who find themselves in situations of greatest vulnerability.”
The President added: “I appreciate the Church’s willingness to contribute to the comprehensive well-being of the Argentine people and I am determined to further develop this willingness through a respectful and fruitful dialogue with all institutions within the framework of the rule of law.”
The correspondence takes place every year. It is a question of a protocol and institutional nature on the part of the Church, which was followed by the President’s answer. What was assessed by sources in the sector before this newspaper.
In the latter case, it occurs at a time when the figure of the Protestant pastor emerges Dante Gebelwants to be asserted as a potential presidential candidate in 2027. A number after which the driver is entered Mario Pergoliniand a move designed to push him as a kind of “outsider” in the face of the next elections, competing with Milei in the event of a possible re-election.
Milei maintains good relationships with the evangelical sector as well as with the church and with Judaism, a religion with which he is also connected on a personal level.
The first meeting of the Bishops’ Conference took place in March 2024. At that time, Milei was accompanied by the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovellothe then head of the Foreign Ministry, Diana Mondinoand at that time also Minister of Culture, Francisco Sanchez.
Monsignor took part in the bishops’ conference Marcelo Colombo; Your couple Carlos Azpiroz Costas and the Secretary General Bochateyamong other things.
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