"Catholics for Cox" Event Features Controversial Priest

In a confusing setup, lapsed Catholic Dan Cox is bringing in a lapsed priest to appeal to faithful Catholics

A “Catholics for Cox” event being sponsored this Friday for the Dan Cox campaign features a controversial Catholic Priest.

The graphic advertising the event, in addition to showing Alan Keyes and Michael Peroutka as guest speakers, also includes Father James Altman.

Father James Altman was ordained as a Priest in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 2008. However, Atlman has been removed from active ministry in the Diocese for over a year by Bishop William Callahan for his overt political activity.

Among Altman’s activities included appearing in a viral YouTube video where he stated that “you cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat”, due to the party's support of abortion, and criticized both vaccinations and immigration reform.

Altman gave the opening prayer at CPAC 2021. He has also suggested that the Catholic Church be taken back “by force.”

Altman does have a few defenders, including controversial Tyler Bishop Joseph Strickland and Mel Gibson.

As a Catholic, I am not certain what the Cox campaign hopes to gain in a state that is the birthplace of Catholicism in the United States by associating with a priest who prioritizes politics over his faith, but considering that Cox himself is a lapsed Catholic I am uncertain if he sees the problem.