Father Altman was removed from the church after making divisive remarks. | YouTube
Father Altman was removed from the church after making divisive remarks. | YouTube
A priest has been removed from the ministry after engaging in controversial statements regarding the ongoing pandemic and politics.
The Diocese of La Crosse recently stated that Bishop William Patrick Callahan has removed Rev. James Altman as pastor of St. James the Less.
Bishop Callahan of La Crosse asked Father Altman to resign in May of 2021 after turmoil and protests were raised against him and the church, but Altman refused.
Vicki Burke, a local Catholic and Democrat, told WEAU that Altman’s comments were reprehensible.
“It is inconceivable to me that someone would say that a person would be condemned to hell for practicing things that I think are very much in line with what we should be doing and helping other people,” Burke said.
Father Altman posted a video on YouTube in August of 2020 in which he preached against climate change, abortion, Democrats and DACA.
“To clueless baptized Catholics out there, you cannot be a Catholic and be a Democrat. Period,” Altman stated.
On July 9, Bishop Callahan removed Father Altman from his pastoral position in the church citing canon law.
The Diocese of La Crosse released a statement regarding the video that condemned Father Altman’s opinions and generalizations.
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