Tell Bishop CallahanStop the extremist priest who called for Pope Francis's murder

Posted: Oct. 13, 2023

The infamous partisan bully Father James Altman is back -- and he's calling for Pope Francis to be killed.

Two years ago, Fr. Altman's bishop removed him from parish ministry for spreading anti-vaccine lies, preaching homophobic and racist sermons, and telling Catholics that they can't vote for Democrats.

Since then, Fr. Altman has developed a cult following -- and in a new social-media sermon, he's now calling for the murder of Pope Francis. In the shocking video, Fr. Altman preaches, "Tie the great millstone around [the pope]'s neck and throw him into the deep blue Mediterranean Sea."

This isn't the first time Fr. Altman has publicly attacked the validity of Pope Francis's papacy, but it is an escalation, and it comes at a particularly important moment in church history. Pope Francis is leading Catholics through a historically inclusive synod -- a global dialogue on the future of the church. This is a time for cooperation and love, not unholy hatred and division.

It was a good first step when Fr. Altman's bishop removed him from parish ministry in the Diocese of La Crosse. Now the church urgently needs to laicize him altogether. Add your name to say that for the good the Body of Christ, the Church cannot allow the vicious, anti-Francis Fr. Altman to continue celebrating the Sacraments, wearing the collar, or teaching in any Catholic organization, church, or school.

Sign the petition:

Dear Bishop Callahan,

Like you, we deeply appreciate the pastoral and loving example of Pope Francis, and support his historic and inclusive synodal process. It is against this backdrop and with heavy hearts that as your fellow Catholics and ecumenical Christian siblings, we urgently ask you to take all available steps to begin the laicization of Father James Altman.

We acknowledge that permanently barring a priest from celebrating the Sacraments, wearing a collar, or teaching in Catholic settings is an extraordinary step. Such measures are now necessary, as Fr. Altman has not only ignored your prior exhortations to behave in a pastoral manner but is now actively calling for Pope Francis's death in an online sermon called "Throw Bergoglio into the Deep Blue Sea." His reckless video follows numerous in-person remarks rejecting the validity of the current papacy, undermining the synod, and fragmenting the Church.

We were deeply grateful when you restricted Fr. Altman from parish ministry. Now for the good of the Church and the Gospel, we ask you to write to the Vatican and request his laicization.

Thank you.

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