After the death of Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, the various branches of President Javier Milei’s government and the senior leadership of the Catholic Church began to exchange messages. The communication, however, takes place within a context of a complex relationship, marked by tension, unanswered demands, financial interests and a critical social situation — one not ignored by bishops walking the streets of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in and around Argentina.
By the end of this week, the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA) — otherwise known as the Synod, the body grouping together the clergy’s senior ranks — had managed to maintain a harmonious relationship with the government, to organise ceremonies in tribute to the late Supreme Pontiff. This was channelled specifically via the Secretariat for Worship & Civilisation, headed by libertarian hardliner Nahuel Sotelo, which falls under the Foreign Ministry led by Gerardo Werthein.
The connection, established from the early hours of last Monday morning when Sotelo received news of Bergoglio’s death, was described by both sides as “correct.” Church sources say that they secured the participation of delegations from the national government, Buenos Aires Province and Buenos Aires City at the various memorial ceremonies — momentarily setting aside tensions and political differences during election season. Across provinces nationwide, local Church authorities also coordinated with government officials.
Yet this recent harmony is an improvement in what has not always been a straightforward or amicable relationship. Many bishops who work closely with impoverished communities have begun warning that social tensions could escalate, driven by stagnant wages and scarce employment opportunities, despite official data showing a significant decrease in poverty.
Nonetheless, despite this assessment, the bishops are not planning to voice public criticisms. They believe now is not the time, although they do not rule out making public statements in the future.
Church sources also note that the La Libertad Avanza administration still enjoys considerable support and believe it unwise to confront Milei’s government and become mired in a highly aggressive official backlash. ‘Are they afraid of the President?’ some sources wonder.
One member of Curas en Opción por los Pobres (“Priests for an Option for the Poor”) — the group of priests most critical of the government — summed it up bluntly. “They do not want to fall out with the government. They’re afraid,” the source told Perfil.
The group regularly delivers strong criticisms of the government’s “austerity measures” impacting soup kitchens in poor neighbourhoods.
Opposing positions
There are also public policies at stake on which the two sides find themselves at odds.
Last July and November, and increasingly behind the scenes, Church leaders has been calling for legislation to restrict online gambling, particularly to protect young people vulnerable to addiction. Two months ago, the CEA sent a clear signal by meeting with Vice-President Victoria Villarruel — who maintains a close relationship with the Church — to stress the need for clear regulatory limits.
But there has been no real possibility of alignment with the government, which remains steadfast in its convictions. The pressure has made it to Congress: the lower house Chamber of Deputies passed a bill, but the Casa Rosada is blocking progress in the Senate and is preparing an alternative proposal.
The Sedronar drug watchdog is drafting a cosmetic text concerning online illegal gambling, which will have no significant substantive changes. It fails, for instance, to impose restrictions on the growing volume of gambling advertisements or address the links between betting companies and football clubs. It merely proposes prohibitions on clandestine gambling. Should this initiative advance in Congress, it will provoke conflict with the Church.
Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party is downplaying potential tensions and betting instead on dialogue based on common ground. Since 2024, discussions have taken place on a project to boost religious tourism, for example. There are also ongoing conversations with all sectors of the Church, including the Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge García Cuerva.
The man now leading the City’s Metropolitan Cathedral has a profile that makes the Milei administration uncomfortable: he is a faithful representative of the late Jorge Bergoglio’s line. Since assuming his position in April 2023, García Cuerva has voiced criticism on sensitive issues, including the rise in poverty during the early months of Milei’s tenure. He also denounced the recent crackdown by police against a protest march by pensioners outside Congress in recent months.
Some government officials do not miss a chance to criticise the archbishop, noting that during the preceding Frente de Todos administration he “kept silent.” They allege “he is a Peronist,” but García Cuerva’s camp prefers not to respond.
The relationship between the government and the Church is not without financial issues either, though these prevent tensions from escalating further. In 2024, the government spent 132.3 million pesos on the Registro y Sostenimiento de Culto (“Registry and Support for Worship”) programme, compared to 194.4 million pesos in 2023 — a nominal reduction of 32 percent and a real terms decrease of 79 percent — figures lower than cuts made to other areas such as the Human Capital Ministry. This reduction came after negotiations with bishops to eliminate their 55,000-peso monthly stipends, although those talks had already begun under Alberto Fernández’s administration.
There is more: the department in charge of religious affairs has a larger budget of 1.899 billion pesos, of which 473.75 million (24.94 percent) has been spent. The Secretariat manages funding outlined under Laws 21,950 (salaries for bishops), 22,430 (lifetime pensions for priests), 22,950 (seminarian support), 22,162 (support for priests working in border areas) and 21,540 (stipends for specific ecclesiastical hierarchies).
However, another sensitive issue falls under the remit of Minister Sandra Pettovello, particularly the increases to the Universal Child Allowance benefit and the Tarjeta Alimentar food card, which have helped contain the severity of the social crisis.
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