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.
