Protestant Minister Prepared To Sacrifice Everything To Keep His Church Open…
Comment:
Once again, we are faced with the absolute scandal of Protestant ministers setting the example to Catholic priests and bishops (and pontiff) by putting God first, when Governments designated church-going as “non-essential”.
The above Fireside Chat is a tad longer than usual – it’s almost an hour – but there is plenty of food for thought in there. For the most part, this conversation is interesting for one reason above all others: that this very pleasant minister reveals that he (with his wife’s agreement) was ready to sacrifice absolutely everything in order to do the right thing, refusing to bow (or bend the knee) to illicit Government control over religious freedom. I was impressed by that. Are you?
I was also scandalised, though, because there is just no similar example (that I know of – maybe you can correct me on this) among the Catholic clergy, whether in the USA or here in the UK. What about you? Are YOU similarly scandalised? After all, this minister has a family to support – priests are free of such responsibility precisely in order to leave them free to give up everything for Christ and the saving of souls. How come they appear to be so much more worldly, and self-interested, than the above brave minister? Is this worldliness a disease for which there is a cure, or are the Catholic clergy right to focus on “staying safe” – i.e. steering clear of trouble with the authorities?
I know that there were priests offering “secret” Masses/Confessions and we are grateful for those compassionate priests, but is that good enough? Isn’t it time that Catholic priests remove the social distancing tape from their pews, and remove the limit on the number of people who may attend Mass and Benediction (if the latter is ever re-introduced)? In-Box Confessions? The lot? If it’s that important to you, keep the hand sanitizer at the door, but otherwise, please find the courage to get back to normal – the old normal. And take whatever consequences may come.
Comments (40)
That is a very impressive interview. The minister is very calm and not going in for drama, as sometimes happens – I’m sorry to say I see that in Fr Altman, as I think I’ve said before on here. You’d almost think he was enjoying being suspended by his bishop. I may be being unkind there, but I feel uncomfortable when I watch him on video. I think I said at the time of him saying that Catholics should not vote Democrat, over the abortion issue, that if he’d taken a more calm approach, instead of the dramatic background music and smiles, it would have been more convincing. That’s just my opinion. I didn’t mean to get into all that there but I’ll leave it now, as it took me forever to type it all, LOL!
The minister was amazing because he was very determined to do the right thing even if it meant losing everything, his house, car etc. That is definitely in the spirit of the Acts of the Apostles. I was impressed.
I took note of what he said about “ecclesia” – he was seeming to say that Our Lord wasn’t founding a Church, as such but I know that is a typical Protestant idea. Apart from that, I couldn’t find any fault in the interview, and I hope if there are any priests who see it, that it makes them feel ashamed and also makes them want to act as bravely from now on. I agree with the “get rid of the SD pew tape etc”. We need to get back to the “old normal” at church and if the clergy don’t lead that fight, how can it ever happen, it can’t.
Fidelis,
I, too, have sometimes felt that Fr Altman’s demeanour was a tad too dramatic – I disliked the “don’t vote democrat” video precisely because of the dramatic background music, and I didn’t watch Father’s recent sermon all the way through, where he revealed that he was being suspended, because I had the impression that he was quite enjoying the whole situation, seemed to be laughing a lot. I said as much to a friend on the phone a couple of days ago.
However, I’ve just caught this clip below, where he is thanking those who have contributed to a fund set up to cover his legal costs, and his demeanour is very different. I’m now thinking that I’ve probably unkindly misinterpreted his laughter. We should pray for Father Altman. Note that the video below becomes “still” for a few minutes, and then resumes with Father speaking in a room – with a copy of Windswept House by Father Malachi Martin on the bookshelf behind him, would you believe!
Fidelis are You for Real. Surely Fr Altman has enough Enemies without us Faithful Catholics piling more pressure on him. And yes he was enjoying Spiritually being suspended by Bishop Callahan as He is suffering something for Christ. And before YOU jump down my throat would YOU be willing to give up not only your own Home but the home of your Mother and Father as Fr Altman is doing. His parents stay with Him. As for Him saying that a Catholic Cannot Vote Democrat ,what other way would you have him say it. Remember Christs Words ” Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No as anything else comes from the Evil One “. If your going to Jump on anyone let it be Francis Effeminate Lackey ,Roche.
FOOF,
Don’t be too hard on Fidelis. As I’ve explained in reply to her, I had the same impression initially. And I doubt very much if Fr Altman even knows about this blog, so she’s not “piling more pressure” on him. Indeed, he is getting huge support, as you will discover if you watch the short video I’ve posted.
It IS a fact, whether we like it or not, that some people do enjoy being the centre of attention and if someone is grinning from ear to ear when they are reporting that they’ve been suspended – a very serious thing to happen to anyone but especially to a priest – then people can’t be blamed to wondering what is going on… Fr Altman was already well known for his (praiseworthy) fighting spirit, so it is possible to misinterpret what is happening in his situation. I know I did, I’m now sorry to say. Us lesser mortals tend to make mistakes, FOOF, give us a break 😀
I’m sure once Fidelis sees the video I’ve posted, she will think again, as I had to do myself.
PS as for “how would you have him say don’t vote Democrat due to their abortion policy – I’d say that of COURSE he must SAY that – but without the theatrical background music. That only serves the purpose of the Enemy who can charge that opposition to abortion is purely sentimental slush. So, of course, say firmly and with conviction all that is possible to denounce abortion and promote life – but a moderate, serious tone of voice, without any background music, is much more likely to impress viewers than the over-dramatic presentation which we saw. That, of course, may not have been Father’s fault – more likely than not it was the fault of the video-maker, but whoever is responsible for it, it was a mistake, or so it seems to me and moi. We prefer a simple statement of facts, perhaps visual of a baby in the womb but no dramatics, please and thank you.
I take your point on board ED but i do not retract anything i said. This was ,is a Man who had a Very good lifestyle as a Lawyer yet gave it all up to become a Catholic Priest. In other words He never became a Priest to make a Career out of it. If i have hurt Fidelis in anyway though with my comment that was certainly not my intention.
Faith of our Fathers,
Don’t worry about hurting me, I want to apologise for making you angry. You’ve made me think again about why Fr Altman was seeming so happy and your suggestion made me think differently. It looks like I was a bit too rushed in my judgment.
Faith of our Fathers,
I didn’t think of it like that, him enjoying being suspended because he was then suffering for Christ. That does make sense, so thank you for that fraternal correction.
Disturbing the Cowardice out of nearly all [Catholic] Cino clergy from Texas etc.. where the gov. Ended the mask rule. Canada Europe and. The vatican are more USELESS THAN usual 😑 yikes
Edward,
Sadly, “cowardice” does seem to be the order of the day, in terms of the clergy response to the pandemic and Government restrictions. Tragic.
It’s quite extraordinary that the GPs who signed up to care for the sick of body are all hiding from the public while the priests who signed for the more important task of looking after the health of souls are also hiding. What unique cowards these people are, obviously not remotely committed to their vocations.
Those priests who shut down churches and provided absolutely no Mass or Sacraments to the faithful for months – I do not see how they can save their souls in eternity. They have betrayed Our Lord in probably about the worst way any priest could by abandoning His flock. I appreciate that a number of priests have tried to do what they can in very difficult circumstance, but the majority, including the Pope and the hierarchy, have simply shown themselves as non-believing naturalists. I really don’t think any of them have a spark of the true faith left in.
Athanasius,
I agree, it’s hard to see how the majority of the Catholic clergy can save their souls after placing government (unlawful) rules above the first duty of any Christian which is to worship God. No wonder one of the saints (I forget who) said that the walls of hell are paved with the skulls of bishops. I was thinking, watching the video chat, how they would feel if they saw and heard that humble minister speaking as he did. In their place, I’d be completely ashamed.
Josephine
Just like the Fr. Keevins at St. Mungo’s in Glasgow, they seem not to understand the gravity of their actions. The reason is they no longer possess the true spirit of the faith and and therefore quite arrogant in their lockdown comfort mode. They say that sometimes Almighty God punishes in a particular way those who have lost the faith by concealing from them the fact that they have lost it. Many, many prelates and clerics are on their way to Hell in a handcart today and they appear joyfully unaware of the fact. It really is scary.
Athanasius,
That was a dreadful experience of yours at St Mungo’s with that faithless priest – God help him at his judgment.
Yes, spiritual blindness is, indeed, a punishment from God. We can only pray that those so afflicted will have their eyes opened in time to repent before they leave this earth.
Editor
Yes, I think it was his supreme confidence in his judgement to refuse Mass and the Sacraments to those without masks that troubled me most. I reminded him of his judgement before Our Lord and he just shrugged his shoulders and said “I’ll take that chance”. It really was a case of a priest lost to the spirit of Our Lord and a love of souls. The problem is he’s in the majority now, right up to the Pope. Who could ever have imagined such universal loss of faith in the clergy just 50 years ago?
Athanasius Two of the biggest problems is that their are- 1 -to many so called career Clergymen and -2- They just do not Fear Almighty God. Am most certainly no scholar but i have ( i hope ) learned much from my experiences in life and am much wiser now. I know that i am because as the Psalmist says ” The fear of The Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom ” and i most certainly fear God. Also as most are career Clergymen they have as far as lots of them are concerned ,especially the Bishops ,living literally off of the Fat of the Land ,given up Nothing,to follow Christ. I most certainly know, and you and many on here know also . You cannot give away what you have not got. Of course here am talking about the Catholic Faith.
FOOF
You’re absolutely right about career clergy, they’re the scourge of the Church. The really worrying part of it is that so few have spoken out on this scandalous Pontificate and these evil church lockdowns that it has to be assumed that most are now career clergy, bishops and Cardinals included. It goes right along with the clerical resignations at age 75 and the new advertising of the priesthood as a career choice on buses and billboards. That’s the kind of thing we expect from a corporate company, not from the Church of God.
Josephine,
That statement about the walls of Hell being paved with the skulls of bishops, appears in various forms (sometimes it’s the floors of Hell…) and is attributed to a number of saints, including St Athanasius and St John Chrysostom to whom is attributed a slightly lengthier version: ““The road to Hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path.” It’s at this point that I wish to make public the fact that I’m more than happy with the Church’s decision never to ordain women 😀
That great saints appear to have been lining up to get this specific belief about the population of Hell on the record, doesn’t speak well of the body of the clergy down the centuries!
Thankfully, we have the example of many edifying lives of many wonderful saints to remind us that God’s grace is there for us, and for the clergy, if we all but accept it.
Athanasius,
Chilling as your words are about the possible-through-to-likely eternal destination of our weak shepherds, I fear you are right.
This apparently sudden weakness, however, is no such thing; it is a result of having lost the Faith a long time ago. More on that in the July newsletter!
I love trailers – don’t you?
https://carhumor.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/car-humor-funny-joke-road-street-drive-driver-camper-honey-you-can-come-out.jpg
Editor
Yes, you’re absolutely right and absolutely spot on with that cartoon!
I totally agree with everyone here – especially Edward Mulrenan who says the Vatican are more useless than usual through this pandemic. They definitely are.
The minister in the video is very good. That took some courage just to be prepared to lose everything as he was, plus wife has to be given credit as well. They’re obviously very good people.
Lily,
Yes, the Vatican IS useless – without a shadow of a doubt – more useless than usual and that is saying something 😀
I totally agree about the courage of the minister to be prepared to sacrifice everything, rather than place God into the “non-essential” category. God bless him for his generosity.
I too agree that the minister in this video is very good. As Lily says, he was prepare to lose everything, and his wife also had the backbone to stand with her husband in this matter. The sad thing is that here in Scotland the Bishops and priests knuckled under to the secular government.
Heaven knows how many died without receiving any of the Sacraments.
I like this minister’s zeal very much, although he gets the meaning of the word “ecclesia” wrong (Upon this rock I will build my public square? Really?)
I would love to ask him a tricky question though: if he really believes the religion he practices, shouldn’t he try to convert Dennis Prager?
RCA Victor,
What makes you think he doesn’t try to convert Dennis Prager? He did quote from the New Testament a lot. He could hardly go all out openly trying to convert him in true Evangelical Protestant style on TV! There are ways and means and I imagine that Rob will do whatever he can, in his own way and through his own lights, to preach Christ to Dennis. What I’d like to see are some Catholics trying to convert Dennis, LOL!
RCA Victor,
I’m inclined to agree with Josephine – I mean, I’m all for converting folks, don’t get me wrong, but a line has to be drawn somewhere…
https://awkward.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/church-4-500×375.jpg
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
J & E,
I made that comment because of the mutual admiration society that was being played out on camera. It struck me that despite their shared moral and ethical high ground, both their religions are fatally defective, since they both reject the one true religion founded by Truth Himself. So…is their friendship built on a foundation of sand?
But you’re right, I suppose the minister wouldn’t try to convert him on his own show.
RCA Victor,
I don’t know if it’s a real mutual admiration society – did you notice near the end when the minister asked if Dennis would “sit down” with his son, that Dennis did not say “yes”? I felt sorry for the minister – that was a bit of a slap in the face, IMHO.
Laura,
I did hear the minister asking if his 19 year old son could meet with Dennis, but I didn’t notice him refusing or not replying. That would be a disappointment, I agree.
Lily,
I got that wrong! Sorry. I went back into listen to that part of the conversation and when the minister said his son was a Dennis fan, Dennis asked what age he was and the minister said 19, at which Dennis said O we can have a cigar together.
I had missed that the first time. I have been meaning to double check and then correct my original comment. Sorry!
Editor,
Great sign – LOL!
God bless Dr. Prager and Pastor McCoy. I will pray for them both.
Would that bishops and church leaders in these isles have an ounce of their
prophecy and courage! This clip merits widespread circulation.
Oliver G. Stoops,
The sad thing is, the bishops and priests in the UK don’t seem to have any courage at all, they just caved in to the restrictions and continue to do so. I wonder how they see their vocation – it’s not at all clear what makes them different from any social worker or other “do-gooder” who helps people in one way or another.
Did the lay faithful continue to assist at public Masses during the time of the European black death? I would like to know if anyone has the answer to this. Bubonic plague, as far as I am aware, was vastly more deadly than Covid, but I suspect people continued to receive the sacraments. In Spring 2020, Confession and Holy Communion were stopped, or at least, I couldn’t access them. After a couple of months, I found a priest willing to hear my confession outside. Except for persecution times, this seems unprecedented in the history of the Church. The positive side to this is that it was the thing that finally convinced some Novus Ordo Catholics of the crisis in the Church.
Miles
There have been many deadly plagues throughout Christian history, including the Black Death, and the churches never closed to the public. In fact, the priests put their own lives at risk, often dying as a result, to go and minister to the sick. As our priest pointed out today, on March 19th last year, the very feast of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, it was the bishops who closed the churches by decree, not the government. They closed the churches down before the government even mandated it. No one will convince me that these bishops have the faith, or indeed the priests who so happily closed their churches without a whimper of opposition. They’re servants of the world now, not servants of God. Hence the recent Pastoral Letter of the Bishop on Pentecost Sunday lamenting the damage to the enviornment and other human things without a word about the Holy Ghost. These are all clear indications of loss of faith.
Athanasius,
All very true, except the priests who criticised the bishops for complying with the Government’s unlawful closure of churches, also complied. There was no need for any priest who is not under the jurisdiction of the hierarchy to go along with the scandal.
Editor
Yes, you’re right, a number of priests outwith the hierarchy’s control did willingly and scandalously close the churches. That would have been more understandable if they had offered clandestine masses, confessions, etc., but they didn’t do even that little. It’s been a real eye opener in a number of ways.
Athanasius,
Yes I remember. I turned up for the feast of Saint Joseph at a diocesan parish and I was told it was cancelled, which surprised me because this was a few days before the government decreed the first lockdown.
Miles
How significant is it that the Catholic hierarchy picked that day of all days to shut down the House of God to the faithful? Looks to me like it was planned for that particular day. Incidentally, it was on the very same day that the UK government downgraded COVID-19 to a non-life-threatening illness, then all Hell literally let loose against the people in general and Christians in particular with the hierarchy playing the part of Judas Iscariot.
Athanasius,
That’s very interesting timing: our last Mass in 2020 before lockdown (for 2 months, at any rate) was on the Feast of St. Joseph.
RCAVictor
You were lucky, our bishops wouldn’t even honour St. Joseph with a Mass before closing the doors. Still, the date of the closures across the board is very significant, pseaks volumes about the spirit ruling our bishops!
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