Important and interesting article by Archbishop Emeritus Aguer with testimonies from his life.
«Gender» issue
I am from Buenos Aires; I was auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, consecrated by Cardinal Antonio Quarracino in 1992. Later I was transferred to the Archdiocese of La Plata, and I presided over the Archdiocese for twenty years. This see comprises five districts of the province of Buenos Aires: La Plata, Berisso, Ensenada, Magdalena, and Punta Indio. I grew accustomed to traveling through these municipalities with pleasure and had an excellent relationship with almost all their mayors. When I turned 75, the age established for submitting one’s resignation, Pope Francis (who had been a colleague in Buenos Aires; he in the Flores area and I in the Belgrano area), hastened to accept my resignation in order to place in my position his friend Víctor Manuel Fernández, whom he later took to Rome and made a Cardinal.
As Archbishop Emeritus of La Plata, I resided for nearly three years in a parish on the outskirts of La Plata, led by an excellent priest. I do not recall—or do not know—why and how I came to end up in this Priests’ Home; an outstanding work of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. Here I am; I have already turned 83.
Before the unjust decision of Paul VI, which removed bishops upon reaching 75, bishops remained in their dioceses until the Lord called them to Himself. This was how it was done throughout history; according to biblical precedents, old age implied wisdom, and the elderly were consulted on the path to follow. Unfortunately, the Church adopted the proposals of liberalism and yielded to the worship of youth.
The Priests’ Home where I live is a kind of nursing home for priests. Both the food and the treatment are very good. There is only one issue I dare to object to, and it is a matter of «gender.» Almost all those dedicated to nursing are women. I have nothing against them, but I believe that, since these are men who have given their lives to the Church, the care of these men should be entrusted to men. In fact, if I am not mistaken, there are only two. One of them has been transferred to the night shift and begins his work at 10 p.m., continuing until dawn. I insist—and this is my wish—that male nurses be employed. Who said it cannot be a masculine profession? There are Homes, mostly female, and it is appropriate that they be attended by women. «To each his own,» as the saying goes.
Who can resolve this? I suppose the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, but he does not seem to take an interest in this Priests’ Home, which in reality depends on him. I have no dealings with him, nor do I know if he wishes to concern himself with me. We will have to wait for the situation to change and, in the meantime, prepare for the decisive encounter with the Lord in Heaven. Time aspires to eternity. For now, for me, the «gender» issue remains.
+ Héctor Aguer.
Archbishop Emeritus of La Plata
Buenos Aires, June 5, 2026.
Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr.
First Friday.
Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. –