Posted on 04/04/2011 5:31:16 AM PDT by mlizzy
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven ... I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." --Mark 2:1-5,11
There is no greater love than this, than to lay down one's life for one's friend. --John 15:13
I am surprised at those who think that because Euteneuer made a public statement that everyone can now move on, before they make even one movement of the heart towards the victim.
A word about her. Anyone who has known my friend has been blessed by this acquaintance. You must imagine for yourself the woman from the Bible who was afflicted with hemorrhaging for twelve years, who went through all of her resources to find healing, at the hands of "experts" who only made her worse (Mark 5:26). The difference is that you must double that length of time, and appreciate what possession entails. Those who have seen a manifestation of a demonic spirit are seeing for a brief (if violent) second, what the possessed person has to live with for years on end. Worse, with the skepticism and isolation one contends with to convince or educate friends, family, “experts” and representatives of the Church that you are not imagining the situation, you grasp what a struggle this is. Then think of the hope, and level of trust and commitment a person would be brought to when meeting a friendly, smiling man, who on the surface was very Christ-like, that took us all into his confidence. But then, the horror, devastation and despair you feel when it later turned out that beneath the surface, he was anything but. And that Euteneuer personally proved quite un-Christ-like is something all must face, even at the surface level of his public statement. It is the devastating reality beneath the lines of this statement that I would like to speak of now.
Euteneuer stated that his "violations of chastity" were such that they "did not involve the sexual act." By legal definition, however, Euteneuer did engage in acts that constituted sexual intercourse; and not only sexual intercourse (which he denied), but rape. And he raped her not just once, but repeatedly over several years. Although sparing the graphic details, it is critical to clarify that his acts of assault went gravely beyond mere words, or kissing, or even touching. When justice is finally served, and this all comes to light, under the innocent sounding veneer of phrases like "violations of chastity," you will find that Euteneuer committed not just borderline but actual, definite sexual acts -- literally, acts of rape -- that anyone would call such. And these acts were a matter of rape, first on the grounds of her being, like a client to a therapist or a patient to a doctor, in dependency and obedience to him as her spiritual director and exorcist, and secondly, most heinously, due to the fact these acts of sexual abuse were performed immediately before, just after, and even during exorcism. And those who have witnessed demonic manifestations will testify that the victim before, during, and after, is clearly and definitively in the mental, physical, and emotional state of "duress" necessary to legally classify a sexual act against her during that period as rape.
If you have understood this, then you will begin to see not only what devastation Euteneuer caused his victim by his abuse, but how his self-championing, riddled-with-lies statement continues to add to her suffering. In fact, the statement is rife with falsehoods, including his claiming only one victim, denying his extensive financial impropriety (with several victims), and denying the possessed woman who lived in his parents' home, to name just three (all of which were testified to and verified by both dioceses and lawyers involved).
Furthermore, by remaining silent on this matter, the diocese and the bishop lend credence to his statement and add to the public perception that, far from the perpetrator he was in reality, maybe Euteneuer wasn't such a bad guy after all. Worse, even once he was finally removed from exorcism ministry, my friend has continually suffered the trauma of an unprepared diocesan response to her critically heightened state of demonic victimization. Not finding the help she needs continues to delay what she had sought to begin with and now needs more acutely than ever: freedom from possession. But for God’s mercy, all this has made her healing all but impossible.
Yes, everyone involved in this matter needs your prayers, including the man who damaged my friend so gravely it fills me with both anger and tears just to think about it. But know that, if Euteneuer (or the diocesan public response) has convinced you that he is the principal victim and not her, then the devil has won.
I had to sit down for a moment after reading.
Looks like I am the only visitor to the Religion forums that was unaware of this mess. :(
Related threads:
Beyond the 'grave': Parents' statement on Father Euteneuer
The penitent priest and the Catholic crackpot: Saving Father Euteneuer
And what kind of oversight was Euteneuer supposed to be under at the time? A priest can't just jet about freelancing in the exorcism biz like a solo operator, can he? Doesn't an exorcist need authorization from his Bishop, and others accompanying him for prayer back-up, plus his own spiritual protection?
That would be Bishop Barbarito in Palm Beach, right?
What's going on here?
Why is the assumption made that what this friend writes on behalf of the women victim true? I don’t doubt what Father Euteneuer has admitted. That he violated acts of chastity. I don’t doubt he took advantage of a very vulnerable women and manipulated her trust and dependency. These alone are great wrongs.
However I will hold back judgment that Father Euteneuer committed “By legal definition, however, Euteneuer did engage in acts that constituted sexual intercourse; and not only sexual intercourse (which he denied), but rape.”
I can not even figure out what that means. But I do know this if this woman, any woman is raped she should bring charges to the appropriate authorities. To bring a complaint and for him to be charged she would not have to show use of force or even an incapacity to consent. She would simply have to say the act was against her will. So I am a bit puzzled why this has not been done.
I have a suspicion as time goes by the victim will remember more and more details of what happened. She will probably be helped in remembering by well intentioned therapists. Will some details be true? Probably, but I hate to see it but this woman was under demonic influence. Can it not be that some of what she remembers is not what happened but what those demons are now obsessing her with?
The devil is targeting priests. Both by influencing some to break their vows and even commit horrible crimes (That does not lessen their guilt as they were the ones who decided yes they would commit these sins and/or crimes)and by targeting innocent priests for false accusations. The devil is striking at the priesthood because he knows how vital the Sacraments are in the fight against evil. It wounds the heart of the faithful to tear away these instruments of grace by leaving us berefit of priests.
The man who writes about his friend claims such acts were testified by the Bishops and others. I can only surmise that Father Euteneuer does not defend himself either because the Bishop has asked him to stay silent or he knows what is claimed is true and has no defense.
If the latter is the case here I would fully expect and support criminal charges being brought against Father E. I would also support a complaint being brought against him in his professional capacity as a therapist if he holds any certificates or licenses as such. I believe at the very least an exorcist who engages in counseling should hold himself to the standards of that profession. Even if he is not guilty of a crime it certainly appears as if he is guilty of gross malpractice.
If guilty he should make amends and pay any penalty required by canon and civil law. I am just not ready to assume that he is guilty based on what an interested party has to say. Nor would I assume his innocence by the same criteria.
However, what he has already confessed to, constitues violation of chastity, exploitation of a spiritually vulnerable woman who had a right to expect his absolute spiritual protection, and sacrilege against a holy rite (exorcism), any one of which is morally (and canonically) grave matter. And what I read in his statement is very plainly hedging, as contrasted to broken-hearted contrition.
We need to pray hard: the forces of hell are very busy here. And your caution against rash judgment is well-taken: I thank you for it.
An exorcist definitely needs authorization from a bishop, and (I believe) generally it's a case-by-case authorization, not a generic "faculty to perform exorcism" willy-nilly. Euteneuer mentions the need for episcopal authorization several times in his book, IIRC.
I think having backup is a matter of prudential judgement, but it would seem to be a no-brainer, especially in the current climate.
Many things about this case don't make sense.
Yes, Bishop Barbarito in Palm Beach.
Father was evidently allowed some freedoms in his exorcism biz, including the allowance of praying over his “patients” alone, that is, sometimes without prayer partners, and there are eyewitnesses to this.
And there is *most definitely* more than one “documented” victim as well.
But as I have read these exorcism books the exorcist has to talk to the enemy to deliver the victim. So for sure you need back up prayer from others always. The lone gunman has too many attacks as a target. If he gives in of course he is guilty.
If you read the Catholic saints or even Smith Wigglesworth had encounters because of their Holiness for others. This life is a great test. Continually Prayers in Jesus are our real guide for life. Anyone of us can fall mightly.
God help all involved.
I agree.The article says the women is still possessed,yet the person who wrote about this is giving the possessed person the benefit of the doubt of being the truthful one here while FR Euteneuer seems to be forthright and contrite from what I have read about this.
My spiritual discernment says not to trust the accuser as being honest on this
I will e praying about this and other priests during Adoration this week
May this man stay strong in Christ when he hears and reads the negative comments about his friend (and his chivalrous stand for her) and may the victim herself realize that even in her darkest hour, her few good friends are still stronger than the many who still doubt her.I agree with you that prayer is always good in a case like this.
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