What really happened to exorcist Euteneuer?

RenewAmerica ^ | 12-2-10 | Matt C. Abbott

[mlizzy]

Father Tom Euteneuer, former president of Human Life International and author of a book on exorcism that was pulled off the market not long after it was published and promoted (including in this column), has seemingly "disappeared." As my regular readers will know, I've quoted Father Euteneuer often over the last few years. But in news that surprised even me, HLI announced in late August that Father was stepping down as HLI president.

Father was quoted as saying: "I have been utterly privileged to serve this great mission for a decade, and now I am called back to my diocese [by the bishop] to continue my priestly service in parish work, which was the original calling of my vocation. I have great peace about the road that lies ahead and about all that has been accomplished up to this point."

In addition to his rather abrupt departure from HLI, Father's book Exorcism and the Church Militant, which was being promoted by HLI in July, was essentially pulled from circulation not long ago, a vague reason given for doing so.

Strange, if you ask me.

In the months leading up to the book's publishing, I had sought, and obtained, permission to reprint in this column the book's entire Introduction. Given the circumstances, I decided it was best to have that particular column removed from RenewAmerica.

I've never heard from Father since all this transpired, and e-mails to three officials of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Father's home diocese, have gone unanswered. In my e-mail to those officials, I simply asked if Father Euteneuer is indeed a priest in good standing with the diocese. It's certainly easy enough for at least one of them to respond: "Yes, Mr. Abbott, Father Euteneuer is a priest in good standing here in the Diocese of Palm Beach. Thank you."

But, alas, I've heard nothing. Crickets.

I do know this: There's "more to the story," and whatever transpired is not the result of a bishop's persecution. There are at least a few individuals who know the whole story, but, right now, they're not willing, or able, to divulge the details. Perhaps they don't want me, or anyone else, to pursue the matter. Well, that doesn't sit well with me.

I hope to find out more in the coming weeks. Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

[mlizzy]

Happy to see someone is addressing this.

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[wideawake]

I hope this is not an Alberto Cutie situation.

[mlizzy]

I hope this is not an Alberto Cutie situation.

Not a chance!

[marshmallow]

OK, so what are the options?

1) Burnout (my first thought). The man has been so busy, busy and so occupied with political and organizational issues that he's neglected his spiritual life and has come to the end of his tether.

2) A romantic liason of some sort which has made him question his vocation.

3) Issues with his bishop or the Catholic hierarchy.

4) Financial impropriety of some sort.

5)He just wants to be a simple parish priest and is sick of the spotlight and all the pressure and publicity issues.

Any others?

[mlizzy]

There was some sort of dispute over his book, "Exorcism and the Church Militant." First he gets removed as president of HLI, and soon after his book is discontinued, which Human Life International owns the copyright on.

It's an extraordinary book written for priests to learn about exorcisms. Also a great book for lay people to find out more about the rite (I'm currently reading it).

If you pen an excellent book regarding the removal of Satan, you're going to get some flak (from Satan!) in one way or another. Same thing happened to Michael D. O'Brien when he wrote a book asking parents to discern Harry Potter and Twilight.

So I think it has to do with the book he wrote. Could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time, but I'm praying for him very much.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

We must keep in mind that we shouldn’t really venture to guess what may actually be wrong. Keep in mind the sins of calumny and detraction in our assessment of the situation.

[Pyro7480]

1) Burnout (my first thought). The man has been so busy, busy and so occupied with political and organizational issues that he's neglected his spiritual life and has come to the end of his tether.

I'm thinking the same thing, as someone who used to work for Fr. Euteneuer. He kept a very busy schedule with HLI, traveling around the world, and add the exorcisms to that and I can definitely see burnout.

[mlizzy]

It’s not burnout (he had lots of plans when he was dismissed). And if it *was* burnout, why take his book off the market?

[marshmallow]

So HLI showed him the door? I was under the impression that he resigned voluntarily.

That puts things in a slightly different perspective.

In a word, politics.............personalities, egos, policy disputes etc etc.

The usual petty stuff.

[Pyro7480]

And if it *was* burnout, why take his book off the market?

Good question.

[mlizzy]

Yep, he was shown the door. He loved his position at HLI. And all those who have worked with Euteneuer loved him back. Just an extraordinary Catholic.

[urtax$@work]

currently have the book at home checked out from the library...

[mlizzy]

Well, if you want to keep that book, bend up the pages and pay for it ... I’m pretty sure I found the last seven copies in our area (called around for hours) ...

[mlizzy]

In a word, politics.............personalities, egos, policy disputes etc etc. The usual petty stuff.

Yes, I think that is more in the line of what happened. I would say it's almost certain HLI didn't like something about the book (and their name is on the front cover). It's a shame because a lot of work went into this book.

[Palladin]

Cherchez la femme!

[Pyro7480]

I would say it's almost certain HLI didn't like something about the book

That doesn't make sense. If they didn't, they would have stopped it BEFORE it was published.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

I would like to know if there was some form of subterfuge, some "conspiracy" to silence him.

But at this point, I do not want to know, if his exit was a result of personal failings on the part of this priest.

[trisham]

He could be ill.

[mlizzy]

Well, okay, but what if they received complaints about something in the book they didn't for-see? For instance there are exorcism prayers in the book. What if somebody started complaining about that (laypeople seeing these prayers)?

I can't figure the whole thing out either, and speculating is a horrible thing to do, but this is all very odd, and I'm happy that Matt Abbott has addressed this. I was starting to feel I was the only one concerned. My husband, a writer as well, wanted me to track down Euteneuer, but we figured he wouldn't divulge what was going on anyway. He's an incredible priest/writer/exorcist and we really need him the world today.