The best Argentine prelate of the past few decades, Archbishop Héctor Agüer, Emeritus of La Plata, died today. The history of the Church would have been very different if he had been the one made Archbishop of Buenos Aires and Cardinal by John Paul II.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Hécton Ruben Agüer went to the seminary there, and was made auxiliary of Buenos Aires in February of 1992 -- Bergoglio was made Auxiliary months later, against the advice of the Superior General of the Jesuits. The same Bergoglio, as Francis, accepted his retirement on the very day Agüer turned 75: a rarity. And named none other than Tucho Fernández to be his successor.
Hector was a faithful and orthodox bishop, highly respectful of Tradition; we have published many of his columns here in the past few years, when, in retirement, he felt once again free to share his thoughts.
Good and faithful servant: May he rest in peace.
