After I heard Father Altman’s video several days ago, I knew that there would be trouble. Several statements he made were imprecise, and his rhetoric was unnecessarily inflammatory. I knew many would praise him for speaking the truth and being straight forward. I believe he is foolhardy. Yes, he does say many things that are true, but there are others that are not.
I believe that oftentimes internet celebrity priests begin to loose sight of who they are. A priest is ordained to preach the Gospel and to be present to those entrusted to him. The internet and the world of social media are a strong temptation that many times lead priests astray.
I applaud Bishop Callahan’s response to Father Altman’s video, which I have pasted below. I first met Bishop Callahan in 2005 when I started seminary and he started as a seminary spiritual director. He was later ordained an auxiliary bishop and he ordained me a deacon in 2008. He is a good man, and I trust his judgement.
Many people I know and love will disagree with my impressions of Father Altman. The way he speaks on the video is not proper to a Catholic priest. Give the man a microphone and place him in a political rally. He is using his pulpit for the wrong reason.
Here the press release from the Diocese of La Crosse
Diocese of La Crosse Office for communications / public relations
September 9, 2020
Statement From Bishop Callahan Regarding Father James Altman
Fr. James Altman has become a social media phenomenon and is now a main stream media story. The amount of calls and emails we are receiving at the Diocesan offices show how divisive he is. I am being pressured by both sides for a comment; one side holds him up as a hero or a prophet, the other side condemns him and vilifies him and demands I silence him.
As I review Fr. Altman’s latest video statement of 30 August 2020, I understand the undeniable truth that motivates his message. When we approach issues that are contradictory to the Faith and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, particularly on abortion and other life issues, we should invite dialogue and heart-felt conversion to the truth. Our approach must never seek to divide, isolate and condemn.
That being said it is not only the underlying truth that needs to be evaluated but also the manner of delivery and the tone of his message. Unfortunately, the tone Fr. Altman offers comes off as angry and judgmental, lacking any charity and in a way that causes scandal both in the Church and in society. His generalization and condemnation of entire groups of people is completely inappropriate and not in keeping with our values or the life of virtue.
I am applying Gospel principles to the correction of Fr. Altman. “If your brother does something wrong to you, go to him. Talk alone to him and tell him what he has done. If he listens to you, you have kept your brother as a friend. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two others with you to talk to him.” (Mt 18:15-16). I have begun this process, not in the bright light of the public arena, but as the Gospel dictates, in private. Canon law indicates that before penalties are imposed, we need to ensure that fraternal correction, rebuke or other means of pastoral solicitude will not be sufficient to repair the scandal (can. 1341).
Most people expect a decisive move from me, one way or another. Many suggest immediate penalties that will utterly silence him; others call for complete and unwavering support of his views. Canonical penalties are not far away if my attempts at fraternal correction do not work. I pray that Fr. Altman’s heart and eyes might be open to the error of his ways and that he might take steps to correct his behavior and heal the wound he has inflicted on the Body of Christ.
Pray for me as I address this issue, and pray for Fr. Altman that he might hear and respond to my fraternal correction. Finally, please pray for the Church that we might seek the truth in charity and apply it in our daily actions.
————– Contact: Jack Felsheim Director of Communications and Public Relations 608-791-2657 jfelsheim@diolc.org
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