Correspondence between Dennis McGrath, spokesman for Archbishop Flynn, Kenneth Fisher, and Father Robert Altier
Original interview of Kenneth Fisher with the Christian Newsire.
Dennis McGrath, Spokesman for Archbishop Flynn, responds to Ken Fisher's quotes in Christian Newswire re: Fr. Altier (dated July 10, 2006).
Letter from Dennis B. McGrath
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
to: Kenneth M. Fisher, President of Concerned Roman Catholics of America (CRCOA)
www.crcoa.com
I presume I'm directing this to Kenneth M. Fisher, whose name and email address is listed on the story I'm responding to.
This story is replete with errors and major exaggerations. As the communications director for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, let me strive to correct the record and, hopefully, get your Christian Newswire to do the same if you're at all concerned about journalistic ethics and truth.
Father Robert Altier is not 'embattled' nor has he been 'unfairly silenced.' These are comparable to 'urban myths' that have been promulgated on certain Web sites and blogs.
Here are the facts: Late last year, Father Altier wrote a letter to Archbishop Flynn, as he is required to do by canon law, upon the completion of one year of doing a column on the Desert Voice site and voicing his views weekly on a Relevant Radio program.
Father had indeed frequently and inappropriately (if not disobediently) criticized the archbishop and archdiocesan leaders (and not simply on the VIRTUS child protection/education program). The archbishop responded to that request by Father Altier with a kind and non-confrontational letter directing him to take a break from his radio and web site commentaries to concentrate on his pastoral work. There was no 'silencing' or 'censuring' involved.
Kenneth Fisher's charges about the archdiocese's children and youth safe environment program are uninformed and misleading. First of all, the VIRTUS program is used in almost one hundred dioceses and has received support and praise from bishops, priests, parent and educators. And it is far from any kind of 'sex ed program.' This archdiocese chose to use only the adult component. Over 1200 adults, from the archbishop to the volunteer youth leaders, have participated. Early on it was decided not to use the VIRTUS children's program for the simple reason that it was considered too challenging to use on an occasional basis.
The programs that are recommended were chosen after careful research and consultation. All are age appropriate and all reflect the Church's teachings. No program will be implanted with children without the parents' participation first. Parents can have their children opt out of the programs. Pastors were given the opportunity to request permission to use an alternative program and those have been granted. All of which respects the rights of parents. Also, each option responds to the bishops' mandate to provide educational programs.
The fourth paragraph in that July 10 story, quoting Mr. Fisher's statement that 'Archbishop Flynn has removed Father Altier from his duties at St. Agnes Parish and made him assistant to an elderly priest at a rest home' is absolutely false. Father Altier has been at St. Agnes as associate pastor for 17 years. The average time that an associate pastor stays at a parish is just a few years; and even pastors normally move on to another assignment after 12 years. Further, Father Altier was not 'made an assistant to an elderly priest at a rest home.' He is now the chaplain at an important health center (name??) near the Twin Cities that provides everything from a birthing center to a residence for senior citizens and Alzheimer patients.
That 'elderly priest' who had been the chaplain, a Columban father, has retired. There were, in fact, so many pastoral duties for that older priest that he did not have a single day off in five years. This chaplaincy should prove to be an ideal assignment for Father Altier since he will encounter so many ways to minister to Catholics and their families in a time of need, to use his spiritual zeal to bring lapsed Catholics back to the Faith and perhaps to bring non-Catholics into the Faith. He has, in fact, expressed a good deal of happiness about his new assignment and he is serving as a sacramental minister every weekend at nearby St. Augustine parish.
The accompanying claim about the 'reassignment of clergy defenders including St. Agnes' longtime pastor' is an absolute fabrication. The pastor in question, Father George Wellsbacher (spelling?) had been at St. Agnes for XX years, is XX years old and asked for a less demanding role because St. Agnes is about to launch a major capital campaign that, at his age, would be much too taxing. The new pastor at St. Agnes is a very traditional young priest, who just returned from his studies in Rome and the new associate is a recently ordained young man whose formation began as a parishioner at St. Agnes.
Archbishop Flynn is devoted to his priests and has not and never will 'punish these good priests,' as Mr. Fisher charges. The principle of offering as many options and alternatives as the Charter or the Protection of Children and Youth would allow, were considered long before any opposition to the programs surfaced, not as any kind of compromise. To let Mr. Fisher use your news service as a communications medium to trumpet a campaign based on false and distorted information is almost unimaginable to me, a trained journalist.
And in that regard, I have no memory or record of ever being contacted by Christian Newswire for balance and a chance to respond to these untrue charges.
I fear your July 10 report has done its damage and has added to the web of untruths and ill founded conspiracy theories about Father Altier and Archbishop Flynn that already exist. My hope is that this won't happen on your newswire again. I am copying the editor of The Catholic Spirit, our award-winning archdiocesan newspaper, because he received your publication. Unlike [Christian Newswire], however, the Spirit, while not perfect, always strives for truth and accuracy.
Dennis B. McGrath
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
SUBSEQUENT CORRECTION FROM MR. MCGRATH
A few missing pieces of information in the email message I just sent you.
Father George Welzbacher, the pastor of St. Agnes, who just took another pastor ship, had been pastor there for five years; however, he had been a weekend Mass celebrant for many years prior to taking over. During those years, he taught at St. Thomas University in St. Paul. He is now 80 years of age. 'Welzbacher' is the correct spelling of his name. The new pastor at St. Agnes, whom I referred to in my email, is Father John Ubel.
Sorry for the gaps in the earlier email, but I wrote this late Friday and forgot to proofread it this morning before sending it.
Father Robert Altier responds to Dennis McGrath's letter to Kenneth Fisher.
Dennis McGrath
Chancery
226 Summit Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55102-2197
Dear Mr. McGrath,
Praised be Jesus Christ! I am writing to you in response to a letter that you wrote to Mr. Kenneth Fisher on July 17, 2006 and which was, in turn, forwarded to me. In this letter you state, regarding Mr. Fisher, that "his story is replete with errors and major exaggerations. As the communications director for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, let me strive to correct the record and, hopefully, get your Catholic Newswire to do the same if you're at all concerned about journalistic ethics and truth." Toward the end of the letter you further state "to let Mr. Fisher use your news service as a communications medium to trumpet a campaign based on false and distorted information is almost unimaginable to me, as a trained journalist."
These are rather interesting statements considering that your own letter contains very few pieces of factual data but is, indeed, replete with misinformation and a great deal of false and distorted information of its own (and this is not the first time). This strikes me as being "almost unimaginable" coming from one who claims to be a trained journalist and even more because you represent the Archdiocese and the Archbishop. If this were merely a matter of false and distorted information I would have ignored it and remained silent, as I have in the past. But there is something much more serious contained in your letter which has prompted me to write you. This would fall under your statement about getting the record straight and concern about journalistic ethics and truth.
In your letter you state that I have "indeed frequently and inappropriately (if not disobediently) criticized the Archbishop and Archdiocesan leaders (and not simply on the VIRTUS child protection/education program)." While it is true that I have not always agreed with certain decisions that have been made, I have never, to my recollection, made public statements that are critical of the Archbishop and I have never been disobedient to anything he has ever asked. A clear distinction needs to be made here. We have a right and, at times, an obligation to make judgments on actions, including decisions. To criticize such actions or decisions does not constitute criticism of the person per se. I have made a promise of respect and obedience to the Archbishop and I have maintained this promise. To disagree with a decision is neither an act of disrespect for the person of the Archbishop nor is it an act of disobedience. These charges made in your letter are not only fabrications of your own, but they constitute slander and calumny which are both serious sins. I am requesting that you either produce some evidence to back up your remarks or "strive to correct the record" by recanting these statements in the same medium or media in which they were made.
Mr. McGrath, considering your position as the Director of Communications for the Archdiocese, and considering that you make it clear at the beginning of your letter that you are acting in that capacity, your statements have to be taken not as personal opinion, but as the official position of the Archdiocese. This is quite tragic (but does indeed speak volumes) and it is truly unimaginable coming from a trained journalist who is concerned about journalistic ethics and truth. Since you are speaking on behalf of the Archbishop and your statements are to reflect his own official position, I am sending a copy of this letter to the Archbishop. I am also sending a copy to Mr. Fisher because your original letter was addressed to him. Trusting in your desire to correct the record and uphold only the highest standards of ethics and truth, I will look forward to your rectification of this unfortunate situation.
In our Lord and our Lady,
Fr. Robert J. Altier
Cc: Archbishop Flynn
Mr. Kenneth Fisher