Hmmmm.
FRONT ROYAL, VA – The board of directors of Human Life International (HLI) has announced that after nearly 10 years of meritorious service to HLI as president, Reverend Thomas J Euteneuer has stepped down from his position after being asked by his Bishop to return to his Diocese in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The board thanks Fr. Euteneuer for his leadership, hard work and dedication in carrying on the legacy of Fr. Paul Marx. During his tenure Fr. Euteneuer traveled more than one million miles as a pro-life missionary to the world.
While Fr. Euteneuer’s leadership at HLI and his influence on the pro-life movement around the world will be greatly missed, we are blessed to have gifted staff who will continue to carry out our mission while a search for a new president is undertaken.
Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro Carámbula, Executive Director of HLI’s office in Rome, will assume Fr. Euteneuer’s responsibilities until such time as a permanent replacement is named.
Fr. Euteneuer has done great work at HLI and will be missed. I am curious about the “why” in all this, bit I suppose we should be grateful for the time he was given by his Bishop.
August 27, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I am curious about the "why" in all this
That crossed my mind, too. There are countless possible good reasons why the bishop could have recalled him… though the situation strikes me as a bit strange, nonetheless. I'm sorry to hear about this.
August 27, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Maybe the Bishop feels they need his exorcist abilities there in Palm Beach…?
August 27, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Colleen has a point.
August 27, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Yes, we all have the same knee jerk response, due to Fr Euteneuer's amazing witness and faithfulness over the last 10 years.
But his Excellency Bishop Barbarito has been in Palm Beach since 2003. If he was out to get Fr Euteneuer, it would have probably come out earlier. We should defer to the Bishop and assume best intentions, and then PRAY for someone of equal holiness to replace Fr Euteneuer.
August 27, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I'M IN SHOCK…WHAT A LOSS…
August 27, 2010 at 9:13 pm
What the heck? It definitely seems like some funny business going on.
August 27, 2010 at 11:44 pm
I posted Father's "resignation" letter on my blog here: http://www.colleenhammond.com/pro-life/fr-euteneuer-to-return-to-diocese/
Father is at peace about it all, and says in part:
"I have been utterly privileged to serve this great mission for a decade, and now I am called back to my diocese to continue my priestly service in parish work, which was the original calling of my vocation. A priest is a soldier of Christ and the Church, and obedience is the primary virtue of his state in life, but for my part, my discernment about this decision tells me that this is the right thing for me to do and at the right time. I have great peace about the road that lies ahead and about all that has been accomplished up to this point."
Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro of HLI in Rome is his temporary replacement.
August 28, 2010 at 12:08 am
I don't see anything odd about this. He's probably needed more in Palm Beach. I mean, it's Palm Beach. Clearly, the bishop appreciates good, holy priests.
August 28, 2010 at 12:10 am
In religious life, isn't it generally the practice to be moved from apostolates or assignments every ten years or so?
August 28, 2010 at 1:14 am
My first thoughts were the same as Rhonda. Additionally, wouldn't we all like a nice change of pace after 10 years? As long as it isn't a demotion or in any way punitive? I think that if my work has been so universally recognized and well received I would look forward to a chance to move in a different direction. As they say, each life has three careers…
August 28, 2010 at 2:05 am
A fine priest. HLI was lucky to have been able to 'borrow' him, and
his bishop and the folks of West Palm Beach are blessed to have him
back.
August 28, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on this…it sounds like the bishop needs him in the diocese. And Fr. E was, in a sense, lent to HLI for the last ten years. May God bless his future work and witness.
August 28, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Fr. Tom Euteneuer is a much needed strong and uncompromosing voice. Is it possible for him to be put in a similar position as Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life?
August 28, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I admire his obedience. God bless Fr. Euteneuer and all of HLI.
August 29, 2010 at 12:48 am
Rhonda,
yes i remember when i was little they move our priest to a different parish (he'd been at ours for over ten years) – we then started going to that parish.
August 29, 2010 at 4:07 am
It's not as if His Excellency Bishop Barbarito has been weak on the Right to Life. In fact, while I can't say I've really followed his career, what little I've ever heard about him has been good. I see no reason to second guess his decision.
And, I'm sure Fr. Euteneuer will put his passion and energy to good use in whatever role he's given next.
August 29, 2010 at 5:14 am
I, too, am quite surprised at the suddenness of the recall of Fr. Eueteneuer, and somewhat saddened by it, but my first thought was exactly the same as Colleen Hammond's. Seems the time is ripe, and the need is probably far greater than we realize, in all the dioceses in America.
August 29, 2010 at 10:52 pm
"In religious life, isn't it generally the practice to be moved from apostolates or assignments every ten years or so?"
More like every THREE years, possibly renewable for another three. That's with religious orders in a parish. Even were that not applicable here, unless someone has inside information, it is highly probable that there is no palace intrigue here, and the bishop's allowance of this priest's assignment has simply run its course.
Regarding any comparisons to Bishop Egan and Father Pavone, I'm inclined to dismiss them without any real proof.
November 22, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Anyone know why his exorcism book was pulled?