Father James Altman raises $640,000 to fight his bishop's demand to resign

Ronan — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 07:53:32 +0000

The Rev. James Altman calls himself "a lowly priest" serving a blue-collar city in western Wisconsin.

But when his bishop demanded his resignation - after a series of divisive remarks about politics and the pandemic - Altman refused to oblige and has since raised more than $640,000 from his conservative supporters to defend himself.

While not unprecedented, a Catholic priest's refusal to abide by a bishop's call to resign is certainly rare.

Altman's case, which has garnered national attention and made him a celebrity of sorts among some Catholics, has further fueled the divide between them and those urging a more progressive, inclusive church.

Father James Altman raises $640,000 to fight his bishop's demand to resign

Wisconsin priest says he won't resign after controversial remarks

Ronan — Thu, 27 May 2021 07:50:13 +0000

Father James Altman, pastor of St. James the Less Parish in La Crosse, Wisconsin, told Mass attendees that Bishop William P. Callahan has asked him to resign because he is "divisive" and "ineffective."

Altman — who told his congregants that he is being singled out for preaching "the truth" about "all the evil that confronts us" — has been making headlines and stirring controversy since last fall with provocative comments from the pulpit.

The priest has criticized Catholics who are Democrats, saying they must "repent" of their support for the party or "face the fires of hell."

Wisconsin priest says he won't resign after controversial remarks

Father James Altman - CathNews New Zealand

Father James Altman raises $640,000 to fight his bishop's demand to resign

Wisconsin priest says he won't resign after controversial remarks