Posted on 12/02/2010 11:59:19 AM PST by 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.
This all nothing but pointless speculation. If Matt Abbott were serving in his profession as an authentic Catholic, he would direct his articles (all of them!) to living and defending his faith. Instead, he has riled up the masses, and to what end?
Father Euteneuer made it clear he was taking time off. Why is that wrong? Why is that suspicious?
The Diocese of Palm Beach is not known for their prompt replies to any issue - let alone responding to some arrogant journalist who thinks he rates above all others. Please Matt, get a grip.
HLI made it clear they were no longer publishing the book because they wanted to focus solely on their pro-life mission. Can they be wronged for this? Why is this a conspiracy? Father Euteneuer was out talking about the book at events, book signings etc. Who at HLI would continue to do that?
Please, get out your Catechisms and read:
2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.278 He becomes guilty:
- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;
- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them;279
- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.
2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:
Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.280
2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity
And when you’re done, someone send it to Matt Abbott.
Whew, and you call someone else arrogant?
I believe you’re a bit naive.
This episode reminds me of Fr. Spitzer’s “resignation” (forced secretly) last year as Pres of Gonzaga. But Spitzer is out and about, working in his foundations, going to events, freely doing his thing in other venues. Euteneuer has, as Matt points out, essentially disappeared and if you know him, this is not a guy to disappear.
Your quote beginning “Every good Christian should be...” is #22 from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.
:-)
Thanks for offering it.
It would take but a few calls from the White House to the corrupt Catholic Hierarchy in this country.Well, if you're right, that would mean a gear shifting into something quite intense, and I would think some of Father's strong words against the Obama administration's workings would soon then be deleted off the Net.
FYI, Hannity is a devout Cafeteria Catholic.I like the addition of "devout."
By the end of my interview with Father Euteneuer, I realized my initial question about being frightened of demons had betrayed my misunderstanding of the limits of demonic power. Exorcism and the Church Militant is a book that should provide guidance to many for years to come, especially for parents who need a reminder that the occult is not innocent entertainment. --Deal Hudson
he needs prayers, and unless he comes out and brags about a romantic problem to the press, or he gets charged with stealing, then I would say it’s not really your business.
If he was involved in exorcisms, then it means he has made enemies, so he probably needs prayers...the devil will work hard to get him to “Fall” into sin, and then despair...
It strikes me as very interesting how much time and energy is spent speculating on a priest - would that we all had such energy and time to devote to working on our own lives and souls.
And by the way, a priest does not need fans, Father does not cater to fans -and never has - he is a priest, not a movie star - he works to save souls.
It strikes me as very interesting how much time and energy is spent speculating on a priest - would that we all had such energy and time to devote to working on our own lives and souls. And by the way, a priest does not need fans, Father does not cater to fans -and never has - he is a priest, not a movie star - he works to save souls.My B-I-L is a priest, and I refer to myself as being one of his fans. I don't equate it with rock stardom. I equate it with sainthood. Hang around and care about the saints or saints-in-the-making, and one might find themselves on the road to sainthood themselves one day. We say a Rosary for Fr. Euteneuer (and all priests!) every day; in fact multiple Rosaries are offered up for him through our Web site. Keep in mind, Fr. Euteneuer is the engine that pulls many cars. Without him, the train stands still.
Father Euteneuer, as a Roman Catholic priest and exorcist and writer, works for us (in his case at double-time). So it’s our business, as part of his flock, to wonder how he is doing. And I agree with you, he needs prayers.
Father Euteneuer, as a Roman Catholic priest and exorcist and writer, works for us (in his case at double-time). So it’s our business, as part of his flock, to wonder how he is doing. And I agree with you, he needs prayers.
5.56mm
You are quite wrong, it is not your business to wonder - most especially when it leads to speculation and guessing games.
Pray? Yes, of course. But you can do that without speculation.
Does it not occur to you that if he wanted you to know anymore than you already do (that he is on sabbatical) that he would issue a statement?
He wanted rest, that includes peace, and quiet. Give it to him.
You are quite wrong, it is not your business to wonder - most especially when it leads to speculation and guessing games.Please don't tell me what's my business and what's not my business. I wonder about my kids all the time, how they are, etc. [especially when they go missing]. I try to stay away from speculating, and I haven't said anything cruel in that regard. Fr. Euteneuer doesn't care that people care about him. That's what he's all about.
Well there’s the difference. Your children are your responsibility, you ought to monitor their whereabouts.
Father is not your responsibility, he is an adult, and I repeat, if he wanted you or anyone to know something, he would issue a statement.
Obviously, that is not the case, so let the man be.
There are lots of FR threads theorizing about the reasons behind Fr. Euteneuer's disappearance, but IMO everyone should start with this one:
"It is impossible to speak of a “Catholic culture” in America any longer. A whole segment of the populace who call themselves “Catholics” do not feel bound by any standard of Catholic orthodoxy or sanity. In fact, it is impossible even to speak of a Catholic culture in most parishes! At a recent “ministry faire” of a large Catholic parish in south Florida, the Respect Life ministry of the parish displayed its pro-life materials next to the table of the “social justice” committee of the same parish. Any commonality between the two ministries was simply in the space they shared. Their worldviews could not have been further apart, but they both call themselves Catholic........How can these two groups sit side-by-side in the same pews and display their ministries in the same space at the same Catholic parish? Simply because this contradiction has been tolerated for years by those in charge of our Church. In this election season neither of these two groups received any guidance about voting according to Catholic principles because, as per usual, there was silence from the pulpit on the issue. The absolute failure of our church leaders to define for us what membership in the Church means - and then to enforce it - has led to the degradation of Catholic culture and the loss of meaning for things that are sacred. When Christ and Belial are considered equal partners in the sanctuary, then nothing in the sanctuary means anything any more and no meaningful standard exists to distinguish a true Catholic from a false Catholic."
-- Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, from the thread Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama (Dec 2, 2008)
If Matt Abbott (or anyone else of character) puts up another article on Euteneuer, and I see it, I’ll put it on Free Republic, because many people care about Fr. Euteneuer. I’ve prayed for him (and suffered for him) as long as I can remember. He IS like one of my kids.
I can see that. I've met Joe, who IMO is a great American and hero to many. But Joe's never expressed AFAIK the kind of condemnation of superiors that Fr. Euteneuer has.
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