In the scene in Hamlet where the young prince has just communicated with the ghost of his father, he is reluctant to confide in his friends about what the ghost said and what he has seen. He makes Horatio and Marcellus swear that when they see him put on an "antic disposition" they will never "with arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, as 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could an if we would,' or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,' or such ambiguous giving out, to note that you know aught of me. This not to do....swear!"
It is just such "doubtful phrases" and "ambiguous giving out" that is roiling around the internet about Fr. Tom Euteneuer, the former director of Human Life International who departed suddenly a few months ago. Jenn Giroux has written a timely article at Renew America urging people to stop the speculation. "Maybe, just maybe," she says, "we don't need to know the whole story." I agree.
The character in Hamlet who has to know everything and be at the center of every intrigue is Polonius, an "opinionated donkey," according to my 16-year-old granddaughter. He ends up dead, stabbed by Hamlet in a case of mistaken identity while he's eavesdropping behind the tapestry in Gertrude's bedroom. Sometimes curiosity really does "kill the cat," or the donkey in this case.
Let's all just swear off idle speculation about Fr. Euteneuer. How many of us really have a need to know after all?
Fair enough. I love Fr. Euteneuer, and the only reason I think it calls attention is that we need him in the Church and it appears he is being unjustly treated. I don't think there's any reason we need to abandon him either.
ReplyDeleteIt would probably be best from the world if he be forgotten for ever.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Fr. E!
My worry about what happened to Fr Tom isn't about a need to know everything. I just don't want him to be railroaded by the "leftist" bishops who want to quiet a brave man that truly said what needed to be said and followed the true teachings of the Church. Fr. Tom always said the truth and now he has been silenced. Somehow, we as Catholic lay people, should stand up for our priests that speak the truth and do whatever we can to protect them from the corruption within.
ReplyDeleteThe speculation will end on its own when the truth comes out.
ReplyDeleteIf you want people to stop gossiping and speculating the only way is to stop covering things up and be open and honest.
I agree with Carmen. We do need to stand up for our priest's. The fact that "someone in the Church has silenced him is cause for concern. The Church is making the whole situation more mysterious by doing such things as removing books from bookstores, and not selling his books anywhere. This speaks for itself as far as I am concerned. What right has the Church to remove books from Amazon, Borders or whatever the store? If there is nothing wrong then don't make it so mysterious that people can't help but think something is not right with this picture.
ReplyDeleteCatholic Tide,
ReplyDeleteThe question is, "When do you have a right to 'the truth' about a matter?" Certainly if Fr. E. committed a crime/crimes he should be charged and it would be public because there would be a police report, trial, etc. He would have the right to face his accusers and they would have the opportunity to testify in court against him.
If, however, we are talking about sins between adults, does the public have the right to know all the details? I certainly have committed sins that I would not want shouted from the housetops and they're nobody's business.
With someone in a position of prominence, responsibility, and public trust, you do have another element. For example, a teacher, therapist, doctor, boss, or other authority figure who uses his position to coerce an underling into a sexual relationship is not the same situation as two equal consenting adults.
Up to now, however, nothing I've seen on the internet brings a specific charge from an injured person against Father. It is all vague rumors, hints, and innuendoes. That seems to me unjust to the accused person, in this case Fr. Euteneuer. Everyone has a right to his good name. Everyone has a right to face his accuser. How do you answer innuendo and hints?
If there is wrongdoing that the public needs to know, let us pray that it is revealed. Until that time, it would be better to follow Mary's example and ponder things in our hearts. I don't see how public speculation about what may or may not have happened without any facts is helpful.
I just read the Renew article and the troubling things now being said.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I feel about disclosure. I had presumed that he was being persecuted in some way for his outspokenness on things that were embarrassing of scary for people to talk about.
It turns out this may not be the case at all. Using spiritual counseling and the prayers of exorcism and using sexuality in this context is not a situation of two consenting adults. They were women who were troubled and did not have the capacity to consent.
We don't have to have all the gory details but if this is the case, I pray it isn't, but if it is, it does need to get out there.
The Church for many years was all hush-hush about Maciel - many of whom were adults.
I'm sorry, but the silence is not good enough in this situation.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteThe Renew article has nothing specific and no proof. I can't see that the author is claiming any personal first-hand knowledge of whatever happened. It's simply innuendo and hearsay as far as I can tell. How does he know what was in Fr. Euteneuer's resignation letter? Has he seen it? How does he know about the "private" statements of Bishop Barbarito?
I'm not in favor of covering up and keeping silent about wrongdoing as anyone who reads this blog regularly can tell. But there must be some proof or at least first hand witnesses who are making the accusations. I don't see that here.
The 8th commandment is very severe about detraction and calumny. If you reveal the mortal sins of another without necessity, you commit a mortal sin of detraction. If you are revealing what you THINK are the mortal sins of another, and don't even have any real knowledge of it, that is calumny. How do you know the truth of the matter?
I still believe the prudent course of action is to pray for Fr. Euteneuer and to wait and see.
I don't know how many have read Fr. Euteneuer's recent books, but what has struck me about these allegations is that (aside from the complete and total hearsay nature of all of them) they involve Fr. Euteneuer completely contradicting the standards and practices for exorcists he describes in detail in his book. It could be he is guilty of everything being claimed, but if so, it's a contradiction of everything he just wrote. That seems odd to me - if a man was using a specific apostolate in order to commit numerous heinous sins, why would he write a book on the topic calling more attention to himself? It's like a top-flight robber writing a book on best procedures for armed robbery - why would he do that?
ReplyDeleteIt could be true, but I am withholding judgement until I see concrete evidence. Not this third or fourth person hearsay.
I offered a Mass today for the intention of Fr. Tom Euteneuer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Father, I hope many follow your example.
ReplyDeleteFather's public statement - my heart breaks for him. http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/statement-of-fr-thomas-euteneur-setting-the-record-straight
ReplyDeleteTo all who maligned him so viciously, shame on you. Find a good confessor. Father had no need to openly confess anything - but those who did this to his good name forced his hand. How many of you would like to stand up in front of millions and confess your sins?
God bless Father Tom - my long time Spiritual Advisor and dear friend. Debi Vinnedge, Children of God for Life