Posted on 02/03/2011 1:34:21 PM PST by Pyro7480
Fox News host Sean Hannity addressed the controversy surrounding a top Virginia exorcist Catholic priest at the end of his Hannity cable news show Wednesday night and made note of the unusually favorable treatment he has been getting from Huffington Post commenters.
After playing portions of a now-infamous 2007 exchange in which then-Human Life International Father Thomas Euteneuer called Hannity a "heretic" and "cultural Catholic," Hannity read part of Fr. Euteneuer's recent confession to transgressions which caused him to be removed as head of Human Life International.
"I take full responsibility for my own poor judgment, my weakness and my sinful conduct that resulted from it," Hannity read.
The host then noted the priest's admission of violating his vow of chastity due to human weakness, which Fr. Euteneuer said "did not involve the sexual act."
"Bill Clinton would be proud of that," Hannity joked.
"Look, I don't want to make a situation worse. Apparently something happened -- pretty severe -- and he's been taken away from his position," Hannity said.
But Hannity still seemed upset at at having his faith questioned and the priest's conduct after the appearance on Hannity & Colmes.
"He's so self righteous. He spent years raising money off this exchange with me and building his name recognition," Hannity said....
One of the panelists joked that the video clip of his face-off with Rev. Euteneuer had "brought out the inner liberal" in Hannity.
Hannity responded, "That's like the Huffington Post defending me [today]."
(Excerpt) Read more at myfrontroyal.com ...
I am extremely sorry to hear this. I was wondering why HLI has had an acting head for the past month or two, in letters I have received from them. Whatever he did, I think he did an excellent job when he took over from Fr. Marx as head of HLI.
I think he was a good man who stumbled. Making fun of him is just plain stupid.
I have a hard time believing he was relieved of his position at Human Life International merely for lusting after someone in his heart.
Anyone comparing Father to the cheater-in-chief fails to understand that.
Read what I wrote again. That’s why I said “starters.”
“Lame equivocation”. Look it up.
Yes. Comparing a contrite man to the cheater-in-chief is pretty lame.
Ok then, please give me another example (besides lusting after someone in one's heart) of breaking one's vow of chastity that doesn't involve the sex act. ...something that would be likely to get him fired from his position.
Do you know what is in his heart to know that he was not contrite?
If this man were truly contrite he would not be engaged in ‘Clintonian’ equivocation about the extent of his violation of his vows, and what types of sex are not ‘really’ sex.
“I was wrong, but really it wasn't THAT bad.” is not contrition, it is lame equivocation.
A vow of chastity isn’t merely about abstaining sex. It could be kissing. It could be an advance. It’s as much about the “spirit” of the law as it is about the letter.
Why did you excerpt this? Why not post it in its entirety?
From his statement:
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 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;
A couple of different flavored Catholics name calling one another. Whoop De Doo.
Nice twisting of what I wrote there...
A sin against chastity or chaste behaviour can include a kiss, a touch motivated by lust on one’s self or another, but short of the marital act. Father Eutenhaur denies the sex act but was probably more specific in the confessional as to the exact extent of his guilt. We will never know.
This was reportedly not an isolated incident, so yes, he had fallen into a habitual condition of sin, but obviously is trying to face off against it spiritually, or he could and would have walked away, letting the splendid other good works he has done stand alone.
Sexual indiscretions that ALSO didn't involve “the” sexual act?
And yes “The violations of chastity happened due to human weakness but did not involve the sexual act” is not the words of a contrite man, but one saying ‘What I did was wrong, but it wasn't THAT bad’ (i.e. as bad as “the” sexual act would have been presumably).
I appreciate that Sean tries to maintain principles and decorum on his show, since so many shows are not worth watching. IMHO, he comes across as a mature, responsible and respectful personality.
I’m not sure of his stance on every issue, but obviously on the subject of birth control he’s misguided. While I don’t want to defend his position, most of the country is misguided on that - including many conservatives - as it’s a tough lesson to learn. A way for people to start seeing the truth is to remember that while fornication is a sin that is very difficult for people to avoid, birth control does not actually do much to solve the problem of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, as many casual relations are between people who don’t use birth control anyway, and it’s ubiquity does contribute to people being comfortable with fornication.
With patience and clarity the truth can be spoken on this subject and people can understand it.
* My violations of chastity were limited to one person only, an adult woman;
What Pyro said. Sins against chastity can be of thought, word, or deed. Or any combination.
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