Father Robert Altier, the Minneapolis priest silenced by Archbishop Harry Flynn, apparently for speaking out against “safe touch sex education” programs in that archdiocese, has spoken publicly about his silencing, although he doesn’t give specifics, to Spirit Daily
“Praised be Jesus Christ! The people who take care of the Desert Voice website informed me of your interest in the case in which I am involved with Archbishop Flynn. It is certainly fine with me if you want to write something about it, but there really does not seem to be much of a story, on the surface, to write. The fact that this thing has taken on a life of its own with no help from anyone in particular should tell you that it is really not about me at all. Rather, it is about something much larger than me.
Beyond that, I really do not have much to say other than what was said of the Apostles 2000 years ago, i.e., that they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [Acts 5:41]. All of this is part of God’s loving providence and He will bring about a greater good from this than any of us can ask or imagine. Can you think of a better way to live out the Lenten observance?
The rest of the letter after the jump…
Technorati Tags: bishops, Catholic, Minneapolis, priesthood
Thank God for Fr. Altier!
“Behold we go up to Jerusalem” Fr. Altier has a good attitude.
Dear Lord, send more Shepherds into the vineyard like Fr. Altier! It is said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. I believe that the spiritual blood shed by white martyrs is as efficacious as the physical blood shed for Christ. The Lord is working in a mighty way through the silencing of this holy man. May he inspire others to stand up bravely and speak the truth, even at the cost of being silenced. Through this incident many have learned much about these “child protection” programs that are in our dioceses, and may they rise up and take the necessary action to see that our children are not harmed more than they are helped. Thank you, Fr. Altier. You remain in our prayers.
He comes off as arrogant and suffering from a martyr complex, IMO.
Not saying he is or does, but that’s how he comes off. Why not resign yourself to the will of your Bishop and not take backhanded shots at him? (“Suffer dishonor for the Name”?)
If it’s not about you, why speak at all?
Again, not saying anything against him. Just commenting on how his words look in my eyes.
Jason,
A beloved priest has been silenced, in todays atmosphere you can imagine that his causes frustration and concern from those who know him, and even from complete strangers. Letting all concern know there is nothing scandelous going on, and giving us an insite into his souls disposition seems to me to be an attempt to calm those who might be prone to make rash comments.
Just my opinion, but it is interesting to note that St. Paul also does the same from his jail cell, writting a number of the Epistles that still give us great spiritual comfort in time of trial.
I’m with Jason on this one.
Jason, your “opinion” is loaded with contradictions.
Fr. clearly states that he is obeying his bishop. He is not releasing the letter out of “respect” for his bishop. He is being obedient as required by Canon Law. What more do you want?
Not saying anything against Him???? That is all you have done. You have treated Fr. in a very subjective negative manner. You may not have meant to do this, but this is how you came off.
Hey Jason, you make the following two statements:
1) He comes off as arrogant and suffering from a martyr complex, IMO.
2) Again, not saying anything against him.
Er……..you just did say something against him.
Jason et al.
Look at the alternative: if Fr. did not write and explain his stance then he is by his silence tacitly encouraging those who are getting agitated on his behalf without knowing the details of his correspondence with the bishop. Far from posing as a martyr he is trying to diffuse the outrage without defending himself. This is a tricky situation to navigate and I think he does it quite well. And in fact he comes out and says: it’s not about me.
But of course people who want to be contrarian can always read into “it’s not about me” the very opposite of those words’ meaning. In the end how you read his letter may be colored by your own preconceived notions.
Well said, Melanie………….
No, I didn’t say anything against him. I said his words come off a certain way. That doesn’t mean he intends them to.
I have no “preconceived notions” about Fr. Altier. Before this flap, I never heard of him. Apparantly he’s a good and holy Priest. I have no reason to doubt that. All I was questioning was the prudence of his statement. To me, a person with no “dog” in this fight, it comes off as a passive-aggresive personal vindication. And I’m sure he didn’t MEAN it to be.
Which, I guess you have a point, he has a right to do, and to encourage his flock. My real concern isn’t so much for Fr. Altier, but for the attitude we are tempted to take sometimes, “us” holy righteous folk against the big bad “evil” Bishop who is persecuting us by suppressing a Priest we love. We have no idea what transpired privately between Fr. Altier and Archbiship Flynn. Since the Archbishop has chosen to keep his reasons to himself, we should be careful about respecting that.
Praise the Lord for Fr Altier, for sure. Man o man, if we had more like him.
Of course, we’re not to read anything into it that we don’t know. But those of us with brains know that only the orthodox guys get suspended or silenced.
If he was the type to wear leotards and dance around the altar singing the lyrics to “YMCA”, he’d never have been suspended.
So it’s safe to assume that he hasn’t been silenced for anything against the Faith.
That’s not true. Bishop DiLorenzo of Richmond recently suspended a Priest for his vulgar reference to the Virgin Mary during a homily.
And?
One instance does not consistency make.
After listening weekly for some time to interviews with Fr. Altier and reading some of his daily homilies I know that he is a great teacher. His words are “swords” of the Holy Spirit. You are not left wondering about whether you are on the wide or narrow road.
In the present situation I see him as being wise as the serpent while continuing to be gentle. He’s nobody’s fool. He is using this as a teaching moment for the faithful to never just lie back when it comes to proclaiming the real Truths of the Church. Be obedient yes, but continue to refer to the Higher Authority remaining in charge, with great plans, even through the human error of those with authority who misuse it. This kind of hope he gives to those who have been following him … so they won’t be scandalized into losing that hope.
If they are going to eventually come after you for speaking the truth, then let it happen so that the light can come out into the open.