We’ve been promising coverage from the recent protest of orthodox Catholics in San Antonio for about a week now. Be sure to scroll down past for some current statistics on the border crisis in Kinney County, if you have no interest Catholicism, and the current orthodox revolt that is currently brewing in the Church.
Please find a reprint of our most recent article below, published in the Kinney County Post this week— detailing a rally last weekend outside the Archdiocese in San Antonio:
Orthodox Parishioners Rally to Reinstate Father Clay Hunt
About 250 people were on hand, mostly from San Antonio, but also some from Del Rio-- protesting in front of the San Antonio Archdiocese. Some held signs, spelling out their disagreement with the Archbishop's recent actions on controversial subjects like new abortion laws in Texas, as well as Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller's past actions against Brackettville native Father Clay Hunt. Passersby on busy Woodlawn Avenue in West San Antonio frequently honked their horns in either counter-protest or support, it was not clear which.
Father Clay Hunt was not on hand for the protest, he's recently been permitted to resume his work ministering to Texas prisoners, though we are told he is not allowed to hear confessions, which means he cannot righteously give communion.
Addressing the faithful in his place, was Father James Altman from La Crosse, Wisconsin. Altman, a former attorney, has shot to national prominence in some circles for his stand against Covid-19 restrictions on worship. His stand has also resulted in his persecution by church hierarchy, say critics of the American Church.
Father James Altman, Nov. 13, 2021 San Antonio, Woodlawn Ave. Outside the Archdiocese
Father Altman had much to say, frequently veering into disrespectful territory by constantly referring to the Archbishop by the nickname "Gussy" instead of his full-name and title "Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller."
"We're here today because Archbishop Gustavo canceled Father Clay," said Altman. "Too many of the faithful have not stood up and said enough is enough."
"Listen up Gussy, we the people are canceling you," said Father Altman, "Resign in disgrace!" Comments of such vehemence may come as a surprise to many outside observers, unaware of a growing thread of orthodox discontent within some sectors of the American Church.
At a casual glance, one would think the San Antonio Archdiocese is in lock-step on the subject of the state's new heartbeat abortion law, saluting the supreme court's decision to allow it to stand, while lower courts deliberate.
But, for many of the protestors, the Archdiocese doesn't do enough.
"Don't give that money to the diocese," said Father Altman, "specify your tithing." Activists say that the best way to get the attention of the American Church, will be to affect the income. So, they're advising folks to stay true to their local churches by enclosing their contributions in envelopes, with directives written on them like "for maintenance of the parish" or other appropriate comments, keeping that money from being forwarded up the chain where it might be spent in all manner of ways that orthodox givers don't want to sanction.
Getting back to the subject of Father Clay Hunt, several of his family members were also on hand, including his little sister Daphne, and his younger brother W.T. They tell us that Father Clay's canon lawyer has managed to get his case moved further along in the process and that it is now in the hands of officials in Rome. It may still be years to go before a final ruling is made.
Father Clay was yanked from the pulpit roughly 3 years ago, after making orthodox statements against homosexuality before the Bexar County Commissioners Court, and after being ejected from a meeting with Del Rio's openly gay Mayor Bruno Lozano by Del Rio Police.
A letter from the Archbishop issued months later said he took actions against Father Clay because of disobedience, financial mismanagement, and inappropriate questions asked of minors during confession. Father Clay's supporters dispute the charges.
Of particular surprise, is the story of a Priest who was apparently yanked from the pulpit for “glaring” during sermons. Do not be surprised or alarmed by the website’s tone. The name Church Militant says exactly where the organization is coming from and where it stands in the debate. Many don’t realize what an achievement it is, to gather even a handful of priests together, willing to stand up and say the Church is wronging them. In many cases, the Church is the only support a Priest may have, and, critics say they are silenced by the threat of being severed from that support.
Also this morning, see the following release published yesterday, with recent statistics compiled by Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe, covering October 1st through November 18.
The release is sparse on analysis. But perhaps readers will allow us to point at the entry regarding high speed pursuits. 6 is an awful lot for a fly-speck town like Brackettville, the county seat in Kinney County. Most of them, are actually happening outside the city limits— the surge of DPS troopers to the area seems to be enabling area law enforcement to push these chases further out than they were in months past.
What seems to be the typical beginning to many chases, is the discovery of a truck on the road with missing or stolen license plates. Troopers will move to pull the driver over— the driver knows the jig is up— and just keeps on going. In their efforts to escape, they will frequently go cross country, plowing through fences and across muddy pastures to try and evade law enforcement. Sometimes, they’ll keep it on the road.
Here’s a recent tweet from late October by Fox News Reporter Bill Melugin, with video of a chase in Val Verde County, that two would be Coyotes livestreamed. The sound is pretty good. You can hear the two girls, from Austin, TX, cussing like sailors, or wannabe “Gangstars.” Yes, spelling intentional:
Give it a click— Cuthbertson goes into some detail about the move from the Western States Sheriffs Association.
The WSSA is basically a professional organization created to collectivize the political power of what are frequently rural county Sheriffs in Western U.S. States— dealing with issues that often don’t apply in more populated, eastern States and counties. In the past, Western Sheriffs had trouble getting traction on the national stage and critics say were overlooked at the federal level in favor of other, more vote-heavy areas.
That’s all for now— don’t hesitate to like, share, and subscribe. As always we should point out our recent employment with the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office as an Administrative Asst. for Public Information. Readers should assume that any errors and opinions put forth in this newsletter are entirely our own, and not indicative of Kinney County policy, future decisions, or other official communications. Have a great morning, and we’ll see you again soon.
