Luis Héctor Villalba was born in Buenos Aires on 11 October 1934 and ordained a priest on 24 September 1960. He took a licentiate in theology and Church history at the Gregorian (1961) and served as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires — titular Bishop of Ofena — from October 1984 (consecrated 22 December by Cardinal Aramburu), becoming the archdiocese's man for catechesis. In July 1991 he became Bishop of San Martín, and on 8 July 1999 Archbishop of Tucumán in Argentina's northwest, serving until 10 June 2011.
From 2005 to 2011 he was first vice-president of the Argentine bishops' conference under then-president Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio — the man who became Pope Francis. Francis created him a cardinal on 14 February 2015, with the title of San Girolamo a Corviale. In September 2021 he presided as papal representative over the beatification of Fray Mamerto Esquiú. His motto is Apostol de Jesucristo — “apostle of Jesus Christ.”
Consequential Quotes
God is the Lord of life. Life is a gift. Man is not the owner of life. The unborn child is the poorest and most vulnerable and defenseless creature that must be defended and protected.
Marriage, maternity and the family are fundamental values. There cannot be real progress at the expense of these values.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Tucumán
Twelve years in Argentina's northwest.
Bergoglio's vice-president
First VP of Argentina's bishops under the future Pope.
Beatified Fray Esquiú
Papal representative at the beatification.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.