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Víctor Manuel Fernández

Stored: Víctor Manuel Fernández, Víctor Manuel Fernández

His Eminence Víctor Manuel Fernández
Bishop of
Home diocese: Diocese of Villa de la Concepción del Río Cuarto
Other diocese 1: Archdiocese of La Plata
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 15 August 1986 by Bishop Adolfo Roque Esteban Arana
Consecration: 15 June 2013 by Archbishop Mario Aurelio Poli
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Víctor Manuel Fernández
(1962-07-18) July 18, 1962 (age 63)
Alcira Gigena, Córdoba, Argentina
Died:
Nationality: Argentine
Education: Pontifical Gregorian University
Motto: In Verbo Tuo
Role: Curial
Theology: Progressive
Region: South America
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Víctor Manuel Fernández, born (1962-07-18) July 18, 1962 (age 63), is an Argentine Catholic cardinal and Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, having served from 2023 until April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death. A theologian and close collaborator of Pope Francis, he was Archbishop of La Plata (2018–2023) and rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (2009–2018). Elevated to cardinal in 2023, he led the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis in 2025, emphasizing the dignity of labor and the poor.[1][2][3] His tenure at the Dicastery, marked by the controversial Fiducia Supplicans allowing blessings for same-sex couples, drew both praise for pastoral openness and criticism for unorthodox writings and alleged mishandling of abuse cases.[4][5]

Born in Alcira Gigena, Córdoba Province, Argentina, Fernández, nicknamed “Tucho,” played a key role in drafting the 2007 Aparecida document with then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, shaping Pope Francis’ pontificate.[6] As a progressive theologian, he advocated for synodality and inclusivity, but faced scrutiny for books like Heal Me with Your Mouth and Mystical Passion, which he later withdrew, and for his handling of a 2019 abuse case in La Plata.[7][5] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, some X posts speculate on his influence, though his polarizing reputation divides opinions.[8]

Biography

Birth and early life

Víctor Manuel Fernández was born on (1962-07-18) July 18, 1962 (age 63) in Alcira Gigena, Córdoba Province, Argentina, to Emilio Fernández, a shopkeeper, and Yolanda Martinelli.[1] Nicknamed “Tucho” after footballer Norberto Méndez, he grew up in a modest family supportive of radical leader Raúl Alfonsín.[6] He entered the Seminary of Córdoba in 1978, drawn to theology and pastoral work, influenced by the Saint Bonaventure, whose integration of knowledge and life inspired his doctoral work.[2]

His rural upbringing and exposure to Argentina’s charismatic movement shaped his vibrant, Pentecostal-style ministry, often celebrating outdoor Masses due to large crowds.[9] Fernández’s early commitment to the poor, later evident in his La Plata initiatives for food and shelter, reflected his belief in the Church’s mission to serve the marginalized.[6]

Education

Fernández studied at the Seminary of Córdoba and earned a licentiate in theology with a biblical specialization from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1988.[1] In 1990, he obtained a doctorate in theology from the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, with a thesis on the relationship between knowledge and life in Saint Bonaventure.[2] He also served as a professor and dean at the same university, appointed rector in 2009 by then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio.[6]

His academic career faced scrutiny when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) investigated his theology in the late 2000s, delaying his rector appointment until 2011.[1] Fernández described the process as disrespectful but resolved serenely, clarifying his views to the CDF.[7] His theological work, influenced by the Aparecida document, emphasized evangelization and pastoral accompaniment over rigid doctrinal enforcement.[9]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 15 August 1986 by Bishop Adolfo Roque Esteban Arana for the Diocese of Villa de la Concepción del Río Cuarto, Fernández served as director of catechesis, advisor to lay movements, and founder of the Jesús Buen Pastor College for sacred philosophy teachers (1990–1993).[1] He was a parish priest, seminary formator, and ecumenical leader, founding a diocesan institute for lay formation.[2] From 2008 to 2009, he was president of the Argentine Theological Society and dean of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina.[6]

In 2007, Fernández served as a theological advisor to Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio at the Aparecida conference, co-drafting the influential document that became a blueprint for Pope Francis’ papacy.[6] His appointment as university rector in 2009 was delayed by Vatican objections, but Bergoglio’s support secured approval in 2011.[1] Fernández’s writings, including controversial books on spirituality and sensuality, drew criticism but reflected his aim to connect theology with human experience.[7][10]

Bishop

Named titular Archbishop of Tiburnia by Pope Francis on 13 May 2013, Fernández was consecrated on 15 June 2013 by Archbishop Mario Aurelio Poli in Buenos Aires, with Bishops José María Arancedo, Eduardo Martín, Carlos Tissera, and Archbishop Andrés Stanovnik as co-consecrators.[1][11] Appointed Archbishop of La Plata on 2 June 2018, he served until 2023, focusing on evangelization and support for the poor.[1] On 1 July 2023, Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a role he held from September 2023 until April 2025, resigning after Pope Francis’ death.[12][13] Elevated to cardinal on 30 September 2023, he received the deaconry of Santi Urbano e Lorenzo a Prima Porta.[1]

Fernández’s tenure as Prefect was transformative, issuing Fiducia Supplicans (2023) to allow blessings for same-sex couples, sparking global debate, with African bishops rejecting it.[4][14] He also approved transgender godparents and baptisms and issued Dignitas Infinita (2024) on human dignity, rejecting gender ideology.[15] His handling of a 2019 abuse case involving Father Eduardo Lorenzo in La Plata drew criticism from groups like BishopAccountability.org, though he acknowledged errors without admitting legal fault.[16][5] In 2025, he led the sixth Novendiales Mass, emphasizing Pope Francis’ love for work and the poor.[3][17] X posts speculate on his conclave influence, citing his progressive theology.[8]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Tiburnia Titular Archbishop 13 May 2013 Present Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2023
La Plata Archbishop 2 June 2018 1 July 2023 Resigned to become Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

Significant events

  • Entered the Seminary of Córdoba in 1978.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Villa de la Concepción del Río Cuarto by Bishop Adolfo Roque Esteban Arana on 15 August 1986.[1]
  • Served as director of catechesis and founder of the Jesús Buen Pastor College in Río Cuarto from 1989 to 1993.[1]
  • Co-drafted the Aparecida document as theological advisor to Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2007.[6]
  • Appointed rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2009, approved in 2011 after CDF investigation.[1]
  • Named titular Archbishop of Tiburnia by Pope Francis on 13 May 2013, consecrated on 15 June 2013.[1]
  • Appointed Archbishop of La Plata on 2 June 2018, enthroned on 16 June 2018.[1]
  • Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on 1 July 2023, serving from September 2023 to April 2025.[12][13]
  • Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023, with the deaconry of Santi Urbano e Lorenzo a Prima Porta.[1]
  • Issued Fiducia Supplicans on 18 December 2023, allowing blessings for same-sex couples, prompting global debate.[4][14]
  • Published Dignitas Infinita in April 2024, affirming Church teaching on human dignity and rejecting gender ideology.[15]
  • Led the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on 1 May 2025, emphasizing the dignity of labor and the poor.[3][17]
  • Resigned as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[13]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • Heal Me with Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing, 1995 (withdrawn; described as catechesis for teens).[7]
  • Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality, 1998 (withdrawn; written for young couples, later deemed misinterpretable).[7]
  • The Healing Force of Mysticism, post-1998 (noted as a more serious theological work).[7]
  • The Transforming Force of Mysticism, post-1998 (noted as a more serious theological work).[7]
  • El Programa del Papa Francisco: ¿Adonde nos quiere llevar?, 2014 (outlining Pope Francis’ vision; not available in English).[1]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 "Víctor Manuel Fernández". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADctor_Manuel_Fern%C3%A1ndez. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "FERNÁNDEZ Card. Víctor Manuel". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_fernandez.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "At Novendiales Mass, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández recalls Pope Francis’ love of work". 2025-05-01. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/at-novendiales-mass-cardinal-victor-manuel-fernandez-recalls-pope-francis-love-of-work. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Cardinal Fernández: Fiducia Supplicans seeks to express something beautiful and Christian". 2023-12-18. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/cardinal-fernandez-fiducia-supplicans-expresses-beauty-christian.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Montagna, Diane (2023-07-02). "@dianemontagna: Fernández’s handling of abuse cases in La Plata raises concerns". https://t.co/9zZshN4U31. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/victor-manuel-fernandez. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Cardinal Fernández says he did not intend to publish controversial books". 2023-07-05. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256589/cardinal-fernandez-says-he-did-not-intend-to-publish-controversial-books. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Inside The Vatican (2025-04-30). "@insidethevatican: Fernández’s progressive theology could shape conclave debates". https://t.co/8q0EYMb5dN. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Quién es el cardenal Víctor Manuel Fernández, proprefecto del Dicasterio para la Vida Consagrada". 2025-01-05. https://www.religiondigital.org/el_papa_de_la_semana/angel-fernandez-artime-proprefecto-dicasterio-vida-consagrada_0_2719228058.html. 
  10. ↑ Catholic Herald (2023-07-03). "@catholicherald: Fernández’s explicit books spark debate over his suitability as cardinal". https://t.co/9zZshN4U31. 
  11. ↑ "Víctor Manuel Cardinal Fernández". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfernvic.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Appointment of Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith". 2023-07-01. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/01/0486/01095.html. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Cardinal Fernández resigns as Prefect following Pope Francis’ death". 2025-04-21. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-fernandez-resigns-as-prefect-following-pope-francis-death. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "African bishops reject Vatican’s same-sex blessings". 2023-12-20. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-bishops-reject-vaticans-call-same-sex-blessings-2023-12-20/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Dignitas Infinita: Declaration on Human Dignity". 2024-04-08. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/dicastery_for_doctrine_of_faith/documents/rc_ddf_2024-04-08_dignitas-infinita_en.html. 
  16. ↑ "Cardinal Fernández’s handling of Lorenzo case questioned". 2023-07-10. https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2023/07/cardinal-fernandez-handling-of-lorenzo-case/. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Catholic News Service (2025-05-01). "@CatholicNewsSvc: Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández celebrates sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis". https://t.co/IcVI7DCCGV. 
    • Cargo Note**: The infobox field `home_diocese` is likely defined as a "Page" type in the

Stored: Víctor Manuel Fernández, Víctor Manuel Fernández

Víctor Manuel Fernández
Bishop of
Home diocese:
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:
Consecration:
Rank:
Created cardinal:
Personal details
Born:

Died:
Nationality: [[]]
Education:
Motto:
Role:
Theology:
Region:
Rite:
Conclave Eligibility: 
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