Posted on 02/01/2011 3:24:15 PM PST by steve86
Note from Editor: When asked if Fr. Thomas Euteneuer had permission to release a statement, the diocese of Palm Beach informed LifeSiteNews that the diocese was aware that Fr. Euteneuer may release publicly a statement regarding the circumstances of his departure from ministry. Bishop Gerald Barbarito believes it best given the present circumstances that Fr. Tom Euteneuer should himself disclose the details of his case. The bishop said he is very happy to hear that Fr. Euteneuer is expressing contrition in this statement.
The following is the complete text of Fr. Euteneuer’s statement.
Statement of Fr. Thomas Euteneuer: setting the record straight
January 31, 2011
It is with great sadness, but also with a certain measure of relief, that I can now respond to the many inquiries about my departure as president of Human Life International (HLI) at the end of August 2010. It has been painful for me to remain silent in light of the ongoing speculation, particularly when much of it assigned blame to those who were, in fact, blameless. I am thankful to be able to set the record straight so that speculation can stop and blame can be placed right where it belongs - with me.
The circumstances that led to my departure from HLI were related exclusively to my own decisions and conduct within the ministry of exorcism that I carried out independently from my responsibilities at HLI. The vast majority of my decisions and conduct, both personally and in this ministry, were morally sound and consistent with all standards of pastoral care of persons. Moreover, they were all motivated exclusively by my desire to give priestly assistance to people in great spiritual distress. I must acknowledge, however, that one particularly complex situation clouded my judgment and led me to imprudent decisions with harmful consequences, the worst of which was violating the boundaries of chastity with an adult female who was under my spiritual care.
I take full responsibility for my own poor judgment, my weakness and my sinful conduct that resulted from it. I offer no excuse for my professional or moral failures, nor do I shift the blame to anyone else. I state without reserve that I am deeply sorry for my actions. I have personally apologized, where possible, to anyone I have harmed. I am saddened beyond words for my fall, not only because of the harm done to my priesthood and my family, but also because of the harm done to all others who are affected, to the faith of those who placed so much trust in me and our Church, and to the pro-life movement so populated with heroic, faithful people. I must face and make amends for the disappointment I have caused. I have, of course, asked for God’s forgiveness and I have confidence in his boundless mercy. I am now grateful to be able to publicly ask for all of yours as well.
As to my departure from HLI, Church officials are completely without blame, having dealt in a timely and appropriate manner with a crisis that was not of their making. I offer this statement as a matter of justice to vindicate Church officials who have been unjustly criticized by those writing and speaking in ignorance of the facts.
While I would much prefer to allow this public act of contrition to stand alone, I regret having to address the malicious falsehoods that were published this past week on various internet sites. I can only say that I am shocked to the depths of my being at the malicious efforts by supposedly faithful Catholics to destroy a priest who has served the Church faithfully for 22 years. The campaigners have made intolerable attempts to contact my family, to defame innocent co-workers and even to solicit and to persuade others with whom I have prayed that they are victims despite their unequivocal statements to the contrary. Some have even claimed falsely and maliciously that there is a possessed person living in my family’s home. No one should have to endure such malevolence or such treatment of innocent family members. Despite the rhetoric of justice and truth-seeking, the sinful campaign has not made one single positive contribution to the resolution of this difficult situation that has already been handled appropriately by Church authorities for nearly six months.
While I would otherwise willingly suffer calumnies in silence to atone for my sins, and knowing how pointless it is to respond to every crackpot with a website, I cannot remain silent when such falsehoods threaten to damage the Church, the priesthood, and other innocent persons and organizations that are or have been linked to me. I therefore affirm and will never deviate from my affirmation that the following are true:
•My violations of chastity were limited to one person only, an adult woman;
•The violations of chastity happened due to human weakness but did not involve the sexual act;
•The accusation that I “targeted” vulnerable women or otherwise sought them out for spiritual direction is utterly false and a serious defamation of my character and ministry;
•With rare exceptions, my exorcism/prayer ministry was always conducted with prayer helpers (third parties) present; situations where prayer or pastoral care occurred without helpers present were exceptional situations where I believed it was necessary for me to act quickly in order to help the afflicted person; while not proper protocol, these departures from the norm were never done with a motive to be alone with vulnerable women;
•I repudiate any allegations of financial impropriety in conducting my prayer/exorcism ministry; I never, under any circumstances, solicited money for the ministry other than travel-related reimbursements, nor did I use HLI donor funds to carry out this work; any gifts offered to me were unsolicited and only accepted so as not to offend the giver and in most cases immediately given to those more needy than myself;
•I have no knowledge of any persons who received any financial settlement in this matter, nor have I asked for that to be given.
I pray that my two decades of faithful priestly ministry and my efforts in the defense of life will be seen in the light of the good fruits they have produced and not denigrated because of my moments of weakness in a most challenging ministry. I also wish to state that I have never entertained even the slightest thought of leaving the holy priesthood or the Roman Catholic Church as a result of my failings. Currently I am under obedience to my bishop who has allowed me to make this statement and in whose hands I leave all questions of continuing priestly ministry. I conclude with an expression of deepest gratitude for the prayers of the many generous supporters of my priesthood and of the prolife movement.
Hannity is a dbag. I for one cannot stand him & have had about enough of his repeated ramming of RINO candidates up our butts. And he’s weak on pro-life issues.
I was appalled at how Hannity treated Fr. Tom. If a priest would have told me I was not in communion with the teachings of the Church, I would have been in tears. Instead he was a self-righteous jerk.
There are plenty of actions (not to mention thoughts, words, and intentions) other than sexual intercourse which are violations of chastity for a man who has taken vows as a priest or a husband.
...I must acknowledge, however, that one particularly complex situation clouded my judgment and led me to imprudent decisions with harmful consequences, the worst of which was violating the boundaries of chastity with an adult female who was under my spiritual care....
•My violations of chastity were limited to one person only, an adult woman;
•The violations of chastity happened due to human weakness but did not involve the sexual act;
•The accusation that I “targeted” vulnerable women or otherwise sought them out for spiritual direction is utterly false and a serious defamation of my character and ministry
....Currently I am under obedience to my bishop who has allowed me to make this statement and in whose hands I leave all questions of continuing priestly ministry.
Well, I did not see that coming.
I once was chastized for going fly fishing on my mother-in-law’s birthday.
The lesson, which will be lost on many, is don’t make rock stars out of people.
That is correct,dear friend,but the devil has NOT won the battle with Fr Euteneur since his contrite public confession is an act of extreme humility that drives out evil.
I expect Fr Eutenuer's faith to be strengthened by this and for him to continue performing more exorcism's and driving out evil
I think that’s a violation of the vow of obedience ;-).
I will pray for Father...
Rock-stardom presents many occasions of sin. Many rock stars (sports stars, tv stars) appreciate this, of course.
I do agree with you. I’ve been quite impressed with him, and I have hopes for him in the future, as do you. I think you said it well.
Why the quotation marks?
He tried. She said no. What's so hard to figure out?
OK...perhaps I was a bit harsh by putting quotes about Newt’s religion, and am guilty in this case of not keeping my opinions to myself. I certainly can’t know what’s in his heart and hope his conversion was sincere.
Not sure that’s correct.
A couple of thoughts:
1) The vow of perpetual chastity is a heavy, heavy burden for a normal man. Most recent problems have been caused by priests who bear this burden well - because for them abstaining from relations with women is not a burden at all.
2) Fr. Euteneuer has been a giant in a noble cause.
3) Sin is a problem for all of us.
I pray for his healing and, if it is possible, for his restoration to ministry. Hopefully those in the hierarchy who are disgusted by normal relations with women will not be a stumbling block.
I think the Vow of Chastity is intended to include sexual activity with any person -- even one's self, outside of marriage (unfortunately, we need some additional restriction on that last qualifier in some states!). Total sexual abstinence in thought, word, intention and deed.
Nor am I. You seemed to me to be asking how it was possible for one to violate a vow of chastity without doing the deed. I offered one possible way. I'm sure there are many others.
If I misinterpreted your question, I'm sorry. I'm multi-tasking tonight, always a dodgey prospect for me.
Someone will have to draw me a picture.
Good Lord, it probably was no big deal. What did he do? Buy a woman a drink at a bar or write her a love poem? Oy Vey, some people make too big a deal out of everything. Somehow, this screams “Look at me, Look at me! I’m wearing a Hair-Shirt because I thought about a woman sexually.” Give me a break.
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