A Franciscan friar in Argentina sparks debate after officiating a transgender couple’s church wedding later annulled by the Archdiocese of Corrientes.
Newsroom (20/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) In late January, a quiet parish in Corrientes became the unlikely epicenter of an ecclesiastical controversy that rippled across Argentina. The marriage of Solange Ayala, 33, and Isaías Díaz Núñez, 26—both transgender—was celebrated at the Church of Nuestra Señora de Pompeya by Franciscan friar Fernando Luis Gómez. What began as a simple act of faith and love swiftly turned into a national story about doctrine, identity, and the limits of inclusion within the Catholic Church.
According to local newspaper Clarín, the parish later announced that “Brother Fernando will not be in Corrientes until the end of the month.” His absence follows outrage from parts of the Catholic community and official disciplinary action by the Archdiocese.
The Archdiocese Intervenes
Archbishop José Adolfo Larregain of Corrientes swiftly declared the marriage “canonically invalid,” citing what he called “significant canonical deficiencies.” In his decree of nullity, the archbishop stressed that the ceremony failed to meet essential requirements for the sacrament of marriage under Church law—specifically the “matter and form” required for validity.
“The omission of these conditions not only distorts the profound meaning of the sacrament,” read the Archdiocesan statement issued on February 8, “but can also generate confusion within the community of the faithful.” The statement reaffirmed that no documentation of the planned marriage had been forwarded for diocesan authorization, a crucial procedural step under Canon Law.
Father Gómez now faces formal disciplinary measures, the Archdiocese confirmed. The parish, for its part, has pledged to “reinforce its procedures” surrounding all sacramental celebrations to avoid future controversy.
The Couple’s Faith and Frustration
Ayala and Díaz Núñez, together for over five years, have been outspoken LGBTQI+ advocates. They said the decision to marry in this parish was deliberate—it carried a reputation for tolerance. The couple said they followed every procedural step and that Father Gómez was respectful of their dignity.
“We approached the friar to speak with him, and he received us warmly,” one of them explained. “He said there was nothing to object to regarding our capacity to marry because, in biological terms, we were a man and a woman.”
Like others who have transitioned, both had chosen to use their current names on the church documents, with the priest’s permission. The couple told reporters they only learned about the annulment from the media. “If it were easy to declare a marriage invalid, there would have to be divorce within the Church,” Ayala said. “And in the Church, you only marry once.”
A Church at a Crossroads
The Archdiocese defended its stance by emphasizing the theological distinction between welcoming all individuals and administering sacraments that require objective canonical conditions. Archbishop Larregain referenced Fiducia Supplicans, a declaration by Pope Francis that allows blessings for same-sex couples but insists on maintaining a clear distinction between such blessings and the rite of marriage.
“The Church must be inclusive,” the archbishop noted, “but inclusion cannot mean altering the essence of its sacraments.” His declaration underscores the theological tension many bishops face as global Catholicism grapples with how to respond to evolving understandings of gender and sexuality.
Local Reaction and Canonical Context
Canon lawyer Ricardo Lugo said the situation arose precisely because Father Gómez believed canonical law permitted the marriage—since the partners identified as man and woman. “From a civil and ecclesiastical point of view,” Lugo argued, “the requirements of both institutions had been met.” However, he revealed that “a small but vocal group” in the conservative Corrientes community had filed a formal complaint that triggered the archdiocesan review.
The case illustrates a wider cultural lag within Catholic regions far removed from the more liberal urban centers. “Corrientes is deeply traditional,” Lugo said, “so social change arrives slowly—and sometimes with resistance.”
The Long Road to Inclusion
Sergio Petroni, a longtime Catholic LGBTQ+ activist based in Buenos Aires, placed the incident within the Church’s broader struggle with modernization. “Real change in the Church takes a long time. It moves backward at times to avoid mistakes,” he said. Petroni, who left seminary life years ago, admits he still hopes the Church will one day perform same-sex or transgender marriages, though he doubts it will happen in his lifetime. “Transformation has to come from within the culture of the Church itself,” he added.
A Pause in Corrientes
For now, Father Gómez has stepped away from his duties in Corrientes, leaving the parish to manage the fallout from an event that raised questions about faith, gender, and the future of Catholic inclusivity. The couple, meanwhile, say they remain steadfast in their support for the friar and intend to seek a direct dialogue with the archbishop.
In this quiet northern province of Argentina, the story continues to echo—a test of compassion versus canon, and a reflection of a Church still learning how to reconcile eternal doctrine with human diversity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Katholisch.de and Infocatholica
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