BA archbishop warns of unemployment, social paralysis with Milei in front row

Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva called on the government to end Argentina’s  “social paralysis,” in reference to a lack of jobs and opportunities, and to tend to those most vulnerable during a religious service on Monday with President Javier Milei in attendance.  García Cuerva made these comments during the homily of the traditional Te Deum service at the Buenos Aires Cathedral for the anniversary of the 1810 May Revolution. The ceremony, which is typically attended by members of the national and local government, saw Milei sitting alone in the front row center of the cathedral. In his homily, the bishop once again criticized the government for its austerity measures without directly mentioning them. He also insisted that politicians need to put their differences aside in the name of unity to help the country prosper. The archbishop went on to warn that “the shadow of social dismemberment” is looming over Argentina if the privileged and the political class continue to put their individual interests above those of the rest of the country.  The archbishop had already made similar comments in past Te Deum services since Milei became president. Scandals and infighting García Cuerva’s comments come as the national administration is engulfed by the scandal sparked by illicit enrichment accusations against Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni. The allegations are currently being investigated by the judiciary. Tension within ruling party La Libertad Avanza has peaked in recent weeks, as senator and former security minister Patricia Bullrich has questioned Adorni for not handing over his assets’ statement. Presidential advisor Santiago Caputo, on the other hand, publicly accused Lower House head Martín Menem of making posts against him on X. You may also be interested in: Three challenges Milei faces as infighting pushes LLA to boiling point In an attempt to show unity, Milei attended the religious ceremony accompanied by his sister, Presidency Secretary Karina Milei, as well as Santiago Caputo, Adorni, Martín Menem, and most of his ministers. Although Bullrich arrived separately and sat several rows behind them, Milei hugged her while leaving the cathedral. Vice President Victoria Villarruel was not invited to the service, as she and Milei have been at odds for the past few years. Despite García Cuerva’s comments, made with Milei sitting alone in the center of the cathedral, the president and the archbishop hugged amicably after the service ended. García Cuerva’s social criticism During his homily, the archbishop compared Argentina and its inhabitants to a paralyzed man whose four friends took to Jesus to be healed in the Bible, warning about the dangers of letting individualism win over communal interests. “If we bet on an Argentina where not everyone is sitting at the table, where only a few benefit, the social fabric is destroyed, the gaps widen, and we end up being a society on the path to confrontation,” he said. While García Cuerva asked for his words not to be taken out of context in order to avoid feeding “fragmentation,” his comments on the need to include everyone seemed to reference some government decisions over the past year. Perhaps the most noteworthy instance was Milei’s refusal to comply with Congress-approved laws that granted more funding for disabled people, pensioners, and children’s hospitals. “No one is disposable; we are all important, starting with the elderly, children, the sick, people with disabilities, teens and young people affected by drugs, the informal and precarious workers, and so many more,” the prelate said. García Cuerva said many people “have been feeling paralyzed” in their lives for years.  “It is not a matter of finding who is responsible but rather becoming aware that we have the huge responsibility of helping cure so many personal, familial, and social paralysis.” The bishop ended with a reference to the May 25, 1810 national holiday, stating that the “founding dream” of the first national government assembled on that day called for unity. “Let’s make it a reality.”