Bishop takes rare step of removing firebrand priest

MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin bishop has taken the unusual step of removing a priest from the ministry after he made a series of divisive remarks about politics and the pandemic.

The Diocese of La Crosse said in a statement Friday that Bishop William Patrick Callahan has issued a decree immediately removing the Rev. James Altman as pastor of St. James the Less, a parish in the city of La Crosse, about 140 miles southeast of Minneapolis. The decree will remain in effect for an undetermined length of time, the statement said.

The bishop “and his diocesan representatives have spent over a year, prayerfully and fraternally, working toward a resolution related to ongoing public and ecclesial concerns of the ministry of Fr. James Altman,” the statement said. “The obligation of a Bishop is to ensure that all who serve the faithful are able to do so while unifying and building the Body of Christ.”

Diocese officials didn’t release the decree.

Altman told conservative news outlet LifeSiteNews.com that he’s not surprised the Catholic hierarchy is trying to silence him.

“Unfortunately for the corrupt hierarchy, I will not be silenced by any arbitrary decree, nor will I be cowed by any action against my priestly faculties,” he said.

Altman rose to prominence ahead of the 2020 presidential election with a fiery YouTube video in which he said Catholics can’t be Democrats and that anyone who supports Democrats will burn in hell.

He also has sharply criticized COVID19 vaccination efforts and pandemicrelated restrictions on church gatherings as “Naziesque controls.” His orthodox approach to Mass and sermons has driven some parish members to leave St. James but has galvanized others.

Callahan asked him to resign in May. Altman announced Callahan’s request to his parishioners during Mass, drawing audible “Nos” from the crowd, a YouTube video of the ceremony shows.

Altman refused to step down, saying the Catholic hierarchy wants him gone because he speaks the truth and calling U.S. bishops “cowards” and a “brood of vipers” in online videos.

Altman can appeal Callahan’s decree to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, which can uphold or change Callahan’s decision.