The Catholic internet has been ablaze with the announcement that Father Altman has been kicked to the curb by Bishop Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse. Complicit Clergy has the official decree on their site. Read it and notice a few things. First, he's not completely suspended. He is able to offer private Mass, but only his parents would be allowed to attend. So far, they haven't kicked him out of the rectory. UPDATE! I heard he has 30 days in the rectory before he and his parents must vacate - but he is still required to reside in the diocese. Well, that's nice I suppose, but when you consider that his 90-year old parents live with him in the rectory, even for Callahan it would be rather underhanded to kick them to the curb. Callahan didn't order him to complete silence, either. He just can't preach.
Item 7 speaks of addressing "the issues that caused the issuance of this decree". Okay! So what are these alleged "issues"? Why won't the bishop explain just what they are? Could it be because those "issues" do not justify the restriction of Father Altman's priestly vocation?
Father Altman isn't taking this lying down. He shouldn't, and neither should we. I post now his reactions as shared with LifeSiteNews. Below the video I'll have more discussion, along with actions to take.
As Father Altman noted, the bishop didn't give him his notice of dismissal himself. I recall when Father Guarnizo was ejected from my parish nine years ago, at least Bishop Knestout lowered the boom in person, showing just some shreds of decency. Father Altman didn't get that. Neither did his parishioners, for Callahan had a letter read to the parish, instead of an in-person explanation. Here is a recording of that reading. Again we hear the sniveling about "division". So what? Truth is "divisive" only if there are those who rebel against it. Aside from the de facto enshrining of "unity" as the "idol-de-jour", that letter was nothing but a bunch of fluffy-puff stuff.
Many things can only be done by local residents: cutting off donations, prayers and protests outside diocesan offices and the bishop's residence. Whenever he appears in public, someone should be there to challenge him - respectfully but plainly and loud enough to be heard, recording it - regarding his despicable actions towards Father Altman.
Other things can - and must - be done by those of us living in other areas. Here is contact information from the diocesan website. We need to fill their email and regular mail boxes, melt their fax and phone lines, and to do so on a long-term basis. Most of us have cell plans that encompass the entire country as a "home area" so there is no "long-distance" reason not to call repeatedly. Because I suspect that other bishops - particularly progressive bishops - may have added some impetus to Bishop Callahan's dismissal of Father Altman, I suggest we hold their feet to the fire, too - especially financially.
On a Facebook page dedicated to Father Altman and his plight is a suggestion that we all wear or carry white roses to Mass on August 15th to raise awareness of the situation. I support that idea, PROVIDED that all who wear or carry a white rose be prepared to explain the significance of this white rose to people who will wonder why you are doing so. Remember that archdiocesan Catholic news outlets will most likely be striving to keep this matter quiet, so many good Catholics may well not be aware of this situation.
Father Altman has made it clear that he will not quietly fade away. Neither should we.
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Father Altman SHOULD "quiet!y fade away"......and land in the loving embrace of the SSPX, where he will experience the True Faith.
ReplyDeleteHe serves his 90 year old parents as well. I just listened to the reading of the letter. What an embarrassment by Bishop Callahan! And, additionally, THIS IS THE SCANDAL!!! Not Father Altman for all he did was speak truth--and there is his crime: to speak boldly the truth. The criminal bishops/cardinals do not want the truth spoken for it is them who are guilty of SCANDAL, PERSECUTING PRIESTS AND CONTINUING TO HARM THE BRIDE OF CHRIST AND HIS BODY! I pray they convert, repent, and with contrite hearts, right the countless wrongs they have committed. I especially pray that the Bishop provide for Fr. Altman and his parents a residence that will serve them while this scandal is dealt with [by reinstating Fr. Altman as Pastor]. How totally contemptible and evil are the actions of these scandalous Bishops/Cardinals.
ReplyDeleteIf there is any hope for OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH Father Altman, and all the other unjustly accused and harassed pastors that were featured on the groundbreaking Church Militant episode, to create some much needed momentum and inspire loyal TRUE CATHOLICS to financially support these Passionate Pastors, that have integrity, and ZEAL for OUR CHURCH, will truimph! They are all in tremendous need of their Canon legal fees, and this truly is a horrible reflection upon Francis, that he did not intervene makes on e further question his commitment to leading a biblically sound Catholic Church! To me it is clearly evident that so-called Pope Francis has his own Marxist agenda, and is championing a one world religion, which is terrifying! These corrupt Bishops and Cardinals have been embezzling and misappropriating funds for their own greedy, and lustful, wicked habits! First things first lets fight to get Godly Pastors back in the church and these Gay predators OUT, they are poisoning the church! Time to trap the rats, Callahan,Dolan,Mahoney,Gomez, it is a huge list they should be CUT OUT and not allowed to lead mass, give last rites, they are a abomination to Our Mother Church! Let us fight like hell to restore Father Altman and all the decent Pastors that have enough courage to stand on Biblical ground and honor their vows to Christ! We cannot let these Miter Monsters keep stealing our joy and the funds of OUR CHURCH! The rats will soon be caught, and they shall be humiliated those that dishonored their vows to God, and Our Holy Mothy, and Christ, Our Savior! I salute Father Altman , and every chaste Pastor in America, and sadly they are not very many!These Pastors give me hope, because I am deeply ASHAMED of the GAY FRIENDLY PASTORS, MARTiN has a very terrifying agenda, to NORMALIZE Homosexual behavior , and have it supported within the Catholic church, this is heresy! Let us fight for our Godly Pastors, and donate to their Canon lawyer legal fees ad pray the Rosary for them! Amen!
ReplyDeleteThe following is a transcript of my letter to Bishop Callahan: Dear Bishop Callahan: With all possible, if any, respect, I write this letter to you, not in hopes that you will admit and change your Evil ways, but in my own way, to tell how much your cowardly response to the laity, showed me just how far gone you are.
ReplyDeleteSatan has got his hooks into you, deeply, I really never heard of you until this egregious issue arose; so I don't know if you have always been a pawn of Evil, or something or someone (Satan), changed you along the way. It takes courage to admit when one is wrong, so I will pray for to be touched by our Lord Jesus Christ and, somehow, someway you openly admit and repent if you truly want healing in your Diocese; or is there no saving yourself because you cannot see!?! As Romans 1 : 28-32 tells us, I will pray for you and, then forget you and leave you to your own demise. In Faith, John Binns