I agree that the optics aren't great, but they did say the 'funds would be used for ... his personal needs' ... given that he is 'required' by his Bishop to reside in the diocese, this qualifies as a 'personal need' ... further, before passing immediate judgement and speaking uncharitably of actions that haven't yet occurred, please keep in mind that the house purchase remains/exists an asset that can be sold in the future with the proceeds still being able to be distributed according to whatever is appropriate by the 'fund' ... more prayers, less scandalising
"the house purchase remains/exists an asset that can be sold in the future with the proceeds still being able to be distributed"
So you'd be ok with him buying a Ferrari since it could later be sold? Or one of Ed. Condo's astronaut watches?
"given that he is 'required' by his Bishop to reside in the diocese, this qualifies as a 'personal need'"
Ah, so I shouldn't be troubled that his choice of lodging is 1 acre at a cost of $290k (in a city where the average sale price was 212k per Redfin)?
Perhaps he has wealthy family dropping big bucks for him. But the fact that he is not willing to be transparent suggests otherwise. Instead, it suggests he is fleecing his followers.
sounds like you have already made your mind up, so I can't expect you to be genuinely looking for a reasonable discussion ...
however, a house being used everyday will still appreciate in value, a ferrari will not ... simple advice learnt in 'Life 101'
also, unless you contributed to the fund (which I highly doubt given your 'rage'), you have no say in what any of the funds are spent on ... and you also sound like the type of person who gives a homeless man $10 and gets upset because he bought fast food over fresh fruit and vegetables ... the cash is no longer yours
per above, this whole situation needs more prayers, less scandalising ... particularly when you don't know all of the facts and already have a distinct mistrust toward the person involved ... also, it used to be innocent 'til proven guilty, and you are definitely not his Judge
and should your suspicions be true, I'm sure God will show him the same mercy that He has shown to you and I, and the many repeat offenders (ie. sinners) like us, if he too contritely asks for forgiveness, repents, and rectifies any wrongdoing
You shouldn't be troubled one bit, unless you donated money yourself, and given your blatantly obvious anti-Altman stance seems extremely unlikely. If you didn't donate, I most respectfully must appeal to you to STFU.
I rather agree...I'm not very inclined to get on Fr. Altmann's case about the house. The housing market has been insane this year. Some friends of mine were looking to buy a house, and they had 15+ offers rejected because (1) their offer wasn't all-cash and someone else's was, (2) their offer wasn't sufficiently above list price, and/or (3) they weren't willing to buy the house as-is with no home inspection. The housing market is sick. And rather infuriating.
Really, if the cash is available, it could make more sense these days to buy in cash to secure the asset, and then to finance, since rates are low. I don't know if Fr. Altmann plans to take that route though.
I also agree it's poor optics, but Fr. Altmann's sense of optics is...very different from the typical person's.
I don't entirely disagree, but I do question the prudence of buying a 3 bedroom house on a one acre plot. Wouldn't a small condo or apartment do sufficiently?
I scratched my head about the multiple bedrooms and the acre plot also, but thinking about it...$290K isn't extravagant for a house in many places. A decent house in a D.C. suburb goes for at least $400K. Maybe he wants a home office (or chapel) for podcasting/video use, and a suitable room for a friend/family member to stay the night. That alone accounts for three bedrooms.
As for acreage, I don't care enough to look up the location of the house, but I do know acreage in some places (e.g. downtown D.C.) is much more valuable than acreage in others (e.g. spaced out suburb).
It's too bad he didn't take the opportunity to explain things like this. He could have, and so we're left to wonder. Regardless, I personally find his attitude towards his bishop and Pope Francis to be a good deal more questionable than the home purchase.
As a homeowner in the DC suburbs, I see your point on the home prices. In and of itself, the home purchase doesn't bother me, but in the context of the greater issues, it just adds to my negative perception of Father Altmann. I too am more concerned about his disobedience to and disrespect of the hierarchy and peddling of COVID conspiracy theories. That said, I was pleasantly surprised that he stayed in the diocese as instructed. Let's pray for him and Bishop Callahan and for a resolution to all of this.
We live in Altman's diocese, and it is very rural. Nothing like DC. We bought our home a few years ago with three bedrooms, on .75 acre, for 100k. It surely has increased in value some since then because of the market, but not *that* much. Granted, we live about 7 minutes from strict city limits, and in a small house, but that's the thing, modest housing, and/or housing not strictly *in town* doesn't cost as much. (And we're still about 9-13 minutes from grocery, general shopping, and parish, to be clear.)
And if he spent that much around here, I guess he just wasn't going for modest.
I have noted that while the Altman type is throwing off holy obedience to be yelling and condemning on politics and the like, they are not usually preaching on the renunciation of the self and the world....
Not specifically, and Bishop Callahan should address the Msgr. Burrill scandal. But I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with the article. Just because the bishop hasn't appropriately addressed one case doesn't mean he can't address another priest's disobedience and obstinacy.
I love this guy. He offers hope for me and for my entire family for the church that has in the words of Ronald Reagan in another context, "They left us." Sorry he is not coming to Texas!
“You didn’t laicize child molesters and you didn’t excommunicate the Joe Biden's of the world. Bring it on, I’m ready for ya. I can’t wait. I hope you do!”
General Anthony Mcauliffe could not have said it better.
I am appalled at some of these comments. The ones of us that have donated to Father Altman's fund, or the fund for Cancelled Priests, are doing so with the idea that these priests have lost their source of income and usually their housing. In Father Altman's case, he supports and houses his elderly parents. This is the main reason we donated to these priest's cause. It's not just their welfare, but the people that they are responsible for. We were expecting to help him purchase a place to live. As our Shepherds, they deserve our monetary and prayerful support.
Yes, the ones complaining are almost certainly to be found among the people who did NOT donate, ironically enough. Hypocrites crying crocodile tears on behalf of the donors, while the only thing they themselves have donated is calumny against Fr. Altman.
Oh, I will be very upfront that I did not donate. But I also don't see any hypocrisy because I'm not decrying on the part of donors. Only on the part of transparency and accountability in the Church.
There is an error in the article stating that Fr. James Altman resigned: “ Since his resignation, Altman has endorsed the recently-launched…”
I believe if you will look closer you will find that Bp. William Callahan asked Fr. Altman to resign, but Fr. Altman politely declined.
Next Bp. William Callahan ordered him to leave the post as pastor of that parish, which Fr. Altman is appealing with a canon lawyer. Perhaps more investigation is required for the context.
I am very happy he got a new home for him and his elderly parents! what is he supposed to do live in the streets? He has put himself on the line for all of us, and yes I gladly donated to his fund and I will do it again and again. Father Altman is the first priest in my life that speaks to me as a normal human being. No bs talk, So what if he bought a house? He needs it. Just like you guys need my subscription to support this website and do your journalism! We need more men like Father Altman that are not afraid to call out the pedophilia , the homosexual take over in the church. God bless him and his elderly parents!
Fr Altman is supporting and caring for his parents, both in their early 90s. Hence the three bedrooms. He obviously needs a dwelling which gives him and his parents some privacy, hence the land around the house. The funds were set up for him by others - not by himself, and the original video of his warning to Catholics who vote Democrat was put up on Youtube by two women hostile to Fr Altman in the parish. The state of the episcopacy and many clergy resembles a whole pot of frogs, happily stewing away in a bubbling bog of liberalism; they don't teach or preach Catholic doctrine, and they tolerate rampant sexual misbehavior in their own ranks. Fr Altman erupted like a sacerdotal volcano, and he hasn't stopped. Someone in the small ranks of good clerics has to blow the whistle on the corruption in the Church, and he does it with theatrical and dramatic effect. Good on him.
I just signed up here, this my first response. Look Father Altman is a great man, I sent him two separate small donations, it had a note is was for him to do what he desires. I want to not be used for parish expenses unless that is what he wants. I’m looking to hearing the latest information on his mistreatment. I for one, are sick of the spineless leaders of our church. Added to the “good” Catholics in our government, including the mass murderer Tony Fauci.
So bottom line from Padre Altman: I won't tell you if I used the donations to buy my cash purchase home.
If transparency purges corruption, then the absence of transparency suggests the same. At least if you have made yourself a public figure.
I agree that the optics aren't great, but they did say the 'funds would be used for ... his personal needs' ... given that he is 'required' by his Bishop to reside in the diocese, this qualifies as a 'personal need' ... further, before passing immediate judgement and speaking uncharitably of actions that haven't yet occurred, please keep in mind that the house purchase remains/exists an asset that can be sold in the future with the proceeds still being able to be distributed according to whatever is appropriate by the 'fund' ... more prayers, less scandalising
"the house purchase remains/exists an asset that can be sold in the future with the proceeds still being able to be distributed"
So you'd be ok with him buying a Ferrari since it could later be sold? Or one of Ed. Condo's astronaut watches?
"given that he is 'required' by his Bishop to reside in the diocese, this qualifies as a 'personal need'"
Ah, so I shouldn't be troubled that his choice of lodging is 1 acre at a cost of $290k (in a city where the average sale price was 212k per Redfin)?
Perhaps he has wealthy family dropping big bucks for him. But the fact that he is not willing to be transparent suggests otherwise. Instead, it suggests he is fleecing his followers.
sounds like you have already made your mind up, so I can't expect you to be genuinely looking for a reasonable discussion ...
however, a house being used everyday will still appreciate in value, a ferrari will not ... simple advice learnt in 'Life 101'
also, unless you contributed to the fund (which I highly doubt given your 'rage'), you have no say in what any of the funds are spent on ... and you also sound like the type of person who gives a homeless man $10 and gets upset because he bought fast food over fresh fruit and vegetables ... the cash is no longer yours
per above, this whole situation needs more prayers, less scandalising ... particularly when you don't know all of the facts and already have a distinct mistrust toward the person involved ... also, it used to be innocent 'til proven guilty, and you are definitely not his Judge
and should your suspicions be true, I'm sure God will show him the same mercy that He has shown to you and I, and the many repeat offenders (ie. sinners) like us, if he too contritely asks for forgiveness, repents, and rectifies any wrongdoing
have faith, hope, and charity
You shouldn't be troubled one bit, unless you donated money yourself, and given your blatantly obvious anti-Altman stance seems extremely unlikely. If you didn't donate, I most respectfully must appeal to you to STFU.
I rather agree...I'm not very inclined to get on Fr. Altmann's case about the house. The housing market has been insane this year. Some friends of mine were looking to buy a house, and they had 15+ offers rejected because (1) their offer wasn't all-cash and someone else's was, (2) their offer wasn't sufficiently above list price, and/or (3) they weren't willing to buy the house as-is with no home inspection. The housing market is sick. And rather infuriating.
Really, if the cash is available, it could make more sense these days to buy in cash to secure the asset, and then to finance, since rates are low. I don't know if Fr. Altmann plans to take that route though.
I also agree it's poor optics, but Fr. Altmann's sense of optics is...very different from the typical person's.
I don't entirely disagree, but I do question the prudence of buying a 3 bedroom house on a one acre plot. Wouldn't a small condo or apartment do sufficiently?
I scratched my head about the multiple bedrooms and the acre plot also, but thinking about it...$290K isn't extravagant for a house in many places. A decent house in a D.C. suburb goes for at least $400K. Maybe he wants a home office (or chapel) for podcasting/video use, and a suitable room for a friend/family member to stay the night. That alone accounts for three bedrooms.
As for acreage, I don't care enough to look up the location of the house, but I do know acreage in some places (e.g. downtown D.C.) is much more valuable than acreage in others (e.g. spaced out suburb).
It's too bad he didn't take the opportunity to explain things like this. He could have, and so we're left to wonder. Regardless, I personally find his attitude towards his bishop and Pope Francis to be a good deal more questionable than the home purchase.
As a homeowner in the DC suburbs, I see your point on the home prices. In and of itself, the home purchase doesn't bother me, but in the context of the greater issues, it just adds to my negative perception of Father Altmann. I too am more concerned about his disobedience to and disrespect of the hierarchy and peddling of COVID conspiracy theories. That said, I was pleasantly surprised that he stayed in the diocese as instructed. Let's pray for him and Bishop Callahan and for a resolution to all of this.
We live in Altman's diocese, and it is very rural. Nothing like DC. We bought our home a few years ago with three bedrooms, on .75 acre, for 100k. It surely has increased in value some since then because of the market, but not *that* much. Granted, we live about 7 minutes from strict city limits, and in a small house, but that's the thing, modest housing, and/or housing not strictly *in town* doesn't cost as much. (And we're still about 9-13 minutes from grocery, general shopping, and parish, to be clear.)
And if he spent that much around here, I guess he just wasn't going for modest.
I have noted that while the Altman type is throwing off holy obedience to be yelling and condemning on politics and the like, they are not usually preaching on the renunciation of the self and the world....
Has Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill's exploits been addressed by Bishop William Callahan yet?
Not specifically, and Bishop Callahan should address the Msgr. Burrill scandal. But I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with the article. Just because the bishop hasn't appropriately addressed one case doesn't mean he can't address another priest's disobedience and obstinacy.
I love this guy. He offers hope for me and for my entire family for the church that has in the words of Ronald Reagan in another context, "They left us." Sorry he is not coming to Texas!
“You didn’t laicize child molesters and you didn’t excommunicate the Joe Biden's of the world. Bring it on, I’m ready for ya. I can’t wait. I hope you do!”
General Anthony Mcauliffe could not have said it better.
I am appalled at some of these comments. The ones of us that have donated to Father Altman's fund, or the fund for Cancelled Priests, are doing so with the idea that these priests have lost their source of income and usually their housing. In Father Altman's case, he supports and houses his elderly parents. This is the main reason we donated to these priest's cause. It's not just their welfare, but the people that they are responsible for. We were expecting to help him purchase a place to live. As our Shepherds, they deserve our monetary and prayerful support.
Um, I'd appreciate a canonists take if these guys are / ought to be losing income. That doesn't pass the smell test under Canon 281 sec 1.
Yes, the ones complaining are almost certainly to be found among the people who did NOT donate, ironically enough. Hypocrites crying crocodile tears on behalf of the donors, while the only thing they themselves have donated is calumny against Fr. Altman.
Oh, I will be very upfront that I did not donate. But I also don't see any hypocrisy because I'm not decrying on the part of donors. Only on the part of transparency and accountability in the Church.
There is an error in the article stating that Fr. James Altman resigned: “ Since his resignation, Altman has endorsed the recently-launched…”
I believe if you will look closer you will find that Bp. William Callahan asked Fr. Altman to resign, but Fr. Altman politely declined.
Next Bp. William Callahan ordered him to leave the post as pastor of that parish, which Fr. Altman is appealing with a canon lawyer. Perhaps more investigation is required for the context.
I am very happy he got a new home for him and his elderly parents! what is he supposed to do live in the streets? He has put himself on the line for all of us, and yes I gladly donated to his fund and I will do it again and again. Father Altman is the first priest in my life that speaks to me as a normal human being. No bs talk, So what if he bought a house? He needs it. Just like you guys need my subscription to support this website and do your journalism! We need more men like Father Altman that are not afraid to call out the pedophilia , the homosexual take over in the church. God bless him and his elderly parents!
Fr Altman is supporting and caring for his parents, both in their early 90s. Hence the three bedrooms. He obviously needs a dwelling which gives him and his parents some privacy, hence the land around the house. The funds were set up for him by others - not by himself, and the original video of his warning to Catholics who vote Democrat was put up on Youtube by two women hostile to Fr Altman in the parish. The state of the episcopacy and many clergy resembles a whole pot of frogs, happily stewing away in a bubbling bog of liberalism; they don't teach or preach Catholic doctrine, and they tolerate rampant sexual misbehavior in their own ranks. Fr Altman erupted like a sacerdotal volcano, and he hasn't stopped. Someone in the small ranks of good clerics has to blow the whistle on the corruption in the Church, and he does it with theatrical and dramatic effect. Good on him.
I just signed up here, this my first response. Look Father Altman is a great man, I sent him two separate small donations, it had a note is was for him to do what he desires. I want to not be used for parish expenses unless that is what he wants. I’m looking to hearing the latest information on his mistreatment. I for one, are sick of the spineless leaders of our church. Added to the “good” Catholics in our government, including the mass murderer Tony Fauci.