Bannon’s War Room – Battleground EP 877: "Spiritual Warfare In The Trenches — Priests Cancelled For Holiness And Priests Who Cast Out Satan"

Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Ben Harnwell (for Steve Bannon), with Father James Altman and Oscar Delgado
Topic: Spiritual warfare in the Catholic Church, the “cancelling” of priests for upholding tradition, the crisis in Church leadership, and the battle against the demonic—featuring discussion of new books by Fr. Altman and the exorcism documentary by Oscar Delgado.

Overview of the Episode

This episode zeroes in on the spiritual and doctrinal crisis facing the Catholic Church, examining how “cancelled” priests are targeted for upholding tradition, and how the struggle against evil is not just political or cultural, but profoundly spiritual. Host Ben Harnwell interviews Father James Altman about his experiences as a “cancelled priest,” the current crisis in Church leadership, and his new books, before shifting focus to Oscar Delgado and his documentary on exorcism, "Triumph Over Evil." Together, they dissect spiritual warfare in contemporary times, both within and outside the Church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is a “Cancelled Priest”?

[01:43-03:45]

• Definition: Priests who publicly uphold Catholic truth and tradition, especially when it counters the current Church hierarchy, often face removal from their ministry, character assassination, and isolation.
• Father Altman:
  • “They are removed from their parish and they're accused of being too rigid, too divisive...To affirm people in the faith...these guys...go crazy.”
  • The current leadership, especially under Pope Francis (“Bergoglio”), is labeled as enforcing a globalist, heterodox agenda.
  • Quote: “They control the buildings, but we control the faith.” (03:17)

2. Crisis of Leadership in the Catholic Church

[04:44-08:11]

• Analysis of New Papacy:

  • Host and Altman sharply argue that the supposed shift to a new, allegedly more pleasant Pontiff (“Leo”) is superficial—he continues and deepens the same problematic trajectory begun under Francis.
  • “If you have to ask or give somebody a proving period to find out if they're Catholic, then they're not Catholic.” (06:00, Altman)
  • The obligation to challenge error, even in the hierarchy, is rooted in scripture and tradition (reference to Acts 5).

• Obedience Misunderstood:

  • Quote (Altman): “Obedience is not blind subservience...You do not have to obey error. You do not have to respect error.” (09:04)
  • Obedience has been weaponized to suppress dissenters and maintain power.

3. The Corruption and Moral Failures within the Church

[10:50-12:10]

• Widespread abuse scandals and coverups are used as evidence of the depth of moral rot.
• Quote (Altman): “They've also covered up raping boys... billions and billions of dollars by these vipers still in power. What's it going to take for people to finally come to their senses and realize these people are evil and consequently irrelevant to your eternal salvation?” (10:52)

4. Defending Catholic Tradition & The Role of the Faithful

[12:57-17:25]

• Arguments that the “trad” (traditionalist) Catholic movement is complicit in silence, or slow to speak against errors in the hierarchy, often for personal, professional, or financial reasons.
• Quote: “They didn’t need to give him six months at all...They wanted the grift to go on, but they wanted to cover up their lack of courage.” (11:37, Harnwell)
• Faithful Catholics should anchor themselves in the unchanging dogmas and moral teachings, rather than personalities or contemporary Church politics.

5. Priestly Witness: The Importance of the Deposit of Faith

[15:48-17:25]

• Importance of focus: “The job of the chief shepherd is to defend and protect the deposit of faith not make it up as you go along. Your opinions don’t count. Neither does a Pope’s.” (15:57 Altman)
• Quoting Pope Benedict XVI on the moral weight of abortion and euthanasia (16:15)
• Denunciation of the “seamless garment” approach as heretical and wrong.

Book Discussions: Fr. James Altman's Works

1. Treasures of the Church

[19:21-22:56]

• 605-page collection of Second Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours: writings from saints and martyrs through the centuries.

• Goal is to fortify the faithful with consistent truth—so they are not misled by “the insidious snares of the devil."

• Advocacy for three books in every Catholic home: The Douay Bible, Thomas à Kempis’ "Imitation of Christ," and "Treasures of the Church."

  • Quote: “If you read that, you would be protected against these insidious snares that are being laid out for you. Because again, obedience is not blind subservience.” (21:46)
  • Memorable Quote: “I do not care if I have against me all the bishops. I have with me the saints and all the doctors of the church.” – St. Thomas More, highlighted by Altman (21:59)

2. Truth in the Age of Fog

[22:56-25:44]

• Focuses on helping Catholics "learn how to think," not just what to think—applying law school logic to faith.

• The "fog" refers to confusion sown by cultural and theological errors; the antidote is forming one’s mind in Catholic truth.

• Critique of leaders (e.g., calling evangelization a sin): “When Bergoglio said, it's a sin to evangelize … yet Jesus … I command you to go proselytize.” (23:36)

  • Anecdote: Uses Penn Jillette’s comments about the urgency of evangelization for Christians as a parable to defend Catholic missions against modern errors.

Exorcism, Spiritual Warfare & "Triumph Over Evil" Documentary

1. Oscar Delgado’s Insights

[33:00-44:51]

• Warfare Analogy: The origins of wars are ultimately spiritual—manifestations of spiritual darkness (33:00).

• Critique of post-Vatican II Church for shying away from the supernatural; contrast with Hollywood’s sensationalizing of exorcism.

• The film is catechetical—endorsed by International Association of Exorcists for its realism and urgency; aims to fill a gap left by the institutional Church.

  • Quote: “After 1965, they’ve kind of deemphasized the mystical, the supernatural…there is not that understanding that the devil exists. They kind of make it a myth.” (35:53)
  • Emphasis on sacramentals, prayer, and practical spiritual armament.

2. Sensationalism vs. Reality in Depicting Exorcism

[38:35-40:28]

• The film is cautious not to sensationalize; rare phenomena (levitation, etc.) are portrayed as rare.
• Focus instead on spiritual danger, necessity for preparation and understanding.

3. The Role of the Laity in Spiritual Renewal

[42:24-44:51]

• Delgado echoes Archbishop Fulton Sheen: “It’s not going to be the bishops, it’s not going to be the priests, it’s going to be the laity that’s going to help renew the Church.” (42:32)

• Laity must take up the fight—through prayer, knowledge, and a return to spiritual vigilance—because most are not being taught about spiritual warfare.

  • Story: Delgado’s experience interviewing Saddam Hussein—felt and fought spiritual darkness with prayer to St. Michael (43:25).

4. Modern World’s Hunger for the Supernatural

[46:57-48:16]

• Despite the secularization of culture, there’s a yearning for spiritual truth—often misdirected into the occult or New Age practices.
• Delgado insists genuine spiritual hunger can only be met by authentic faith and knowledge of spiritual realities.

5. Hope and Triumph Over Evil

[48:16-49:49]

• Despite dark times, the outcome is never in doubt: “Read the Bible. We just don’t know how much pain we have to go through for that victory.” (48:53)
• The film serves as hope and instruction, not horror; aids both clergy and laity in recognizing and resisting evil.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They control the buildings, but we control the faith.”
  — Fr. James Altman [03:17]

• “Obedience is not blind subservience. You do not have to obey error. You do not have to respect error.”
  — Fr. James Altman [09:04]

• “Your opinions don’t count. Neither do mine. Neither does a Pope’s.”
  — Fr. James Altman [15:57]

• “It’s not going to be the bishops, it’s not going to be the priests, it’s going to be the laity that’s going to help renew the Church.”
  — Oscar Delgado quoting Fulton Sheen [42:32]

• “If you try to make it just about your bank account…at the end you’ll be empty.”
  — Oscar Delgado [46:57]

• Delgado’s account of praying to St. Michael to overcome darkness during his interview with Saddam Hussein.
  [43:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:43 — Definition and experience of “cancelled” priests
• 04:44 — Critique of new papacy and Church leadership
• 09:04 — Discussion on obedience and suppression of dissent
• 10:52 — On the moral crisis in Church hierarchy
• 15:57 — Defense of the Deposit of Faith; importance of tradition
• 19:21 — Fr. Altman on his book "Treasures of the Church"
• 22:56 — Fr. Altman on "Truth in the Age of Fog"
• 33:00 — Oscar Delgado begins, talks warfare, documentary purpose
• 35:53 — Hollywood vs. Church on supernatural evil
• 38:35 — Handling sensationalism in exorcism stories
• 42:24 — The laity’s role in spiritual renewal
• 43:25 — Delgado’s encounter with darkness in Iraq
• 46:57 — The continuing hunger for the supernatural
• 48:53 — Triumph over evil as a message of hope

Social Media, Resources & Calls to Action

• Fr. James Altman:

  • Website: jfaltman.org
  • X/Twitter: @FatherAltman

• Oscar Delgado & Film:

  • Website: triumphoverevilfilm.com
  • Facebook: Oscar Delgado

Conclusion

This episode delivers a powerful critique of contemporary Church leadership from the traditional perspective, urging Catholics and Christians to root themselves in immutable truth and spiritual vigilance. It blends detailed doctrinal analysis with urgent calls for practical resistance to spiritual evil—whether encountered in modernist Church bureaucracies or the overt spiritual warfare depicted in exorcism. Both Fr. Altman’s books and Delgado’s film serve as tools for the laity and clergy alike to armor themselves for the age-old fight between light and darkness.

For new listeners:
This episode stands out as a comprehensive, impassioned exploration of why spiritual warfare is not abstract or peripheral, but central to understanding our times. It is also an urgent summons to Catholics to reclaim their history, doctrine, and spiritual courage in an era of confusion and challenge.