Colombian cardinal washes feet of transgender prostitutes
April 07, 2026
Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio of Bogotá, Colombia, washed the feet of transgender prostitutes on Holy Thursday, according to multiple Latin American media reports.
“It was the second consecutive year that the highest-ranking Catholic official in Colombia chose to pay tribute to this group during the celebration of Holy Thursday,” reported Infobae, a leading Latin American online newspaper. Noticias UNO, a leading Colombian television news show, broadcast a report on the rite, during which the prelate offered remarks.
KCH FM, an Ecuadorian radio station, also reported on the incident.
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Further information:
- El cardenal primado se postró para lavar pies en la zona de tolerancia de Bogotá (Noticias UNO, 4/4/26)
- Cardenal colombiano lavó los pies de trabajadoras sexuales transgénero durante la conmemoración de la Semana Santa (Infobae, 4/6/26)
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Posted by: feedback -
Apr. 07, 2026 8:56 AM ET USA
He was created Cardinal in 2023 by Francis. It would be a practical exercise of synodality (dialogue, accompaniment, pastoral care etc.) to survey the Catholics in Colombia whether their Cardinal's choice of transgender (male) prostitutes for the ceremony on Holy Thursday appears to them an act of apostolic humility, or the prelate's personal kink? And, if their opinions are divided, His Eminence would do well to avoid causing the scandal in the future.
