This Crisis Magazine article is excellent, written by Fr. Dwight Longenecker on two priests, two diametrically opposed approaches to the truth, and two totally different results. It was published today in Crisis Magazine and is worth a serious read. I think you know which side I support.
People don’t like to categorize people, rejecting labels like “conservative” and “liberal”, yet these terms are important and necessary since they describe two factions in the Church. The conservative wants to do just that – conserves. They believe Jesus and the Apostles left us a deposit of faith in Scripture and Tradition and we want to “conserve” that treasure intact.
The liberal, on the other hand, feels that truth is changing, adaptable and democratic. They want to “liberate” from the chains of the past and let science and secular thought influence them. They are liberal with the truth.
So, enjoy this article. We do have a de facto schism in the Church, not official with a formal split, but a schism nonetheless.
With the news that conservative priest Fr. James Altman has been asked by his bishop to resign, one is faced with the contrast between Fr. James Altman and another controversial priest, Fr. James Martin, SJ.
Both priests have somewhat of a prophetic voice in the Church—Fr. Altman from the conservative side and Fr. Martin from the liberal. Fr. Altman castigates Catholics who voted for Joe Biden. Fr. Martin openly supported Biden.
As such, the two Fr. Jameses are poster boys for the two Catholic Churches in America today. Fr. Altman for the traditional, orthodox, strict version of Catholicism; Fr. Martin for the accommodating, relativistic, and subjective version of Catholicism. Fr. Altman: doctrinal. Fr. Martin: pastoral. Fr. Altman: Rational. Fr. Martin: Sentimental.
It is interesting that both priests see themselves as standing up for the true faith and see themselves as speaking truth to power. Fr. Martin campaigns against institutional homophobia and laments the Church’s teaching on homosexuality. Fr. Altman campaigns against a Catholic hierarchy that is in bed with the abortion-loving Democratic Party.
In such situations it is all too easy for folks on one side or the other to throw the “H” words around. The enemy is branded as either a hypocrite, a heretic, or both.
Therefore, it is worth examining the two priests and looking at how they have been treated.
For the rest of the article, CLICK HERE.
Interview with Fr. Altman as he explains his bishops wants him to resign. Click here to help with Fr. Altman’s legal defense fund. Also, contact his bishop, Bishop William Callahan.
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