On Fox News Fearless HLI Priest Takes on Sean Hannity (may be indebted for saving his soul)

LifeSite ^ | March 13, 2007 | John-Henry Westen

[NYer]

NEW YORK, March 13, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Last Friday, the President of Human Life International, Fr. Tom Euteneuer used his weekly column to point out the hypocrisy of Catholic celebrity Sean Hannity, one of the stars of Fox News' Hannity and Colmes show.

Hannity had, on a show the week before, made a big deal of apologizing for having inadvertently eaten a couple of bites of a meat sandwich on a Friday during Lent.  In his column, Fr. Euteneuer pointed out that the meat incident was not sinful at all, and "If apologies are the order of the day, then the repentance I would like to hear out of Sean Hannity's mouth is for his shameless-even scandalous-promotion of birth control. Yes, I have heard him personally say, 'I have no problem with birth control. It's a good thing.'"

Explaining the gravity of the situation, Fr. Euteneuer noted, "Given the size of his audience and the importance of his status in pop culture, Hannity's anti-witness to a fundamental tenet of Catholic moral doctrine is just devastating for the faith of others who may be weak or vacillating in this area."  In his concluding remarks he stated: "The moral of the story is that Catholic men and women in the media need to be truly Catholic or at least stop being hypocrites." (see the full column here: http://www.hli.org/sl_2007-03-09.html )

Hannity's dissent from Church teaching on contraception is long-standing and very public.  In fact, in 2004, his public stand in favor of contraception made it into a commentary in the oldest Catholic newspaper in the United States, the Wanderer. 

On a show in 2004, Hannity was explaining his opposition to withholding Communion from Catholic politicians who support legal abortion.  At the time he pointed out that should Communion be withheld from liberals it could also be withheld from conservatives such as he since, he said, he had no problem with contraception.

Hannity's press handlers called the HLI leader the day his column was published to have him address Hannity live on the program.  Fr. Euteneuer obliged and began a reasoned, calm presentation of his case. "One is simply obliged not to be a heretic in public. That's the point," said Fr. Euteneuer in response to an initial question from Colmes. "If (Hannity) doesn't agree with his Church on that matter he should not be pronouncing on the matter as if he was the authority on that matter. He's not."

However rather than argue for his case on contraception or even address the points made in Fr. Euteneuer's article Hannity immediately jumped to the offensive.  "Reverend. Let me, let me just say… You call me a hypocrite. You question the depth of my faith. Do you know anything about me and my religious beliefs? And my background religion? do you know anything about me?"

"I only see the evidence Sean. I see the evidence of a superficial presentation of one aspect of the faith. I see the…," replied Fr. Euteneuer just before he was cut off by Hannity's attack on the Catholic Church via the sex abuse scandals.  "Judge not lest you be judged, Reverend", interrupted Hannity.  "Maybe you ought to spend a little more time that our Church covered up one of the worst sex scandals and I wasn't involved in it. And the fact that public people after that are willing to still be Catholic is something you should be applauding. Considering the levels of corruption at the highest levels of the Church was frankly embarrassing to every person."

Many commenting on Hannity, have said that he 'lost it' with the priest.  "Do you know that I went to a seminary? Do you know that I studied Latin? Do you know that I studied theology?," said Hannity at one point just before repeating charges about corruption and sex scandals in the church.

The only time Hannity seemed especially affected by the priest came right at the end of the segment when Hannity demanded, "Wait, would you deny me communion?"  Fr. Euteneuer replied, "I would."  Hannity, visibly moved, replied, "Wow, wow." (See the segment on vido here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f50fD5elrcg )

Despite his courage and fidelity, Fr. Euteneuer has received criticism for his stand even from some Catholics who, despite decades of persistent, public and very damaging scandal to the faith by prominent individuals, still insist that behind-the-scenes, personal dialogue is the only acceptable response.  It has been suggested that the HLI leader should have approached Hannity privately.  However, in 2004, after Hannity 's scandalous remarks about contraception Fr. Euteneuer did attempt to personally contact Hannity with his concerns but to no avail.

The broadcast is being praised for having raised publicly that contraception leads to abortion and is contrary to the Catholic faith.  It has also shown that the Catholic Church is impartial in its estimation of liberals and conservatives, and must correct equally all those who reject the Church's authoritative teachings on faith and morals.

Probably the saddest chapter of the event was Fox News publishing an open letter to Sean Hannity by Father Jonathan Morris, a regular news contributor for the fox News Channel.  Fr. Morris, vice rector for the Legionnaries of Christ seminary in Rome, wrote that when he saw the program, "I hung my head in shame and sadness."   Fr. Morris continued, "My colleague in religion (whom I've never met) used the public airways and Internet to call you a heretic and hypocrite. Because he chose to do this in a public forum, I want you and your viewers to know, publicly, that as an analyst of this television network, I believe this good priest, who does great work, exercised, on this occasion, shockingly poor judgment. I consider his willingness to give his personal opinion about your status within the Church inappropriate and ill-considered, to say the least."

In an open letter responding to Fr. Morris, Fr. Euteneuer wrote: "Your letter to Sean Hannity indicates that you did not know that I asked to speak to him in private about this matter in 2004 otherwise you may have tempered your remarks about my supposed lack of charity in dealing with a high profile Catholic who dissents from clearly-defined and reiterated Church teachings."

"May I also point out," added Fr. Euteneuer, "that you did not employ with me the same standard of "fraternal correction" that you expected me to employ with Mr. Hannity. I at least made the attempt to speak to him about this issue in private without success; you, in contrast, went immediately to the internet to take me to task."  (See both Fr. Morris' letter and Fr. Euteneuer's response: http://www.hli.org/article_open_letter_to_fr_morris.html )

As a man who has defended the Catholic position on the right to life for the unborn, on traditional marriage, and against the euthanasia of Terri Schiavo, Sean Hannity has come to grips with many of the hard teachings of the faith.  Some observers are suggesting that his encounter with the Church's position on contraception, was an eye-opener and may in fact lead Hannity to a fuller adherence to what he professes to believe.  To this priest, who so perturbed him, Hannity may one day find himself grateful, perhaps eternally so.

[ArrogantBustard]

Thank you for expressing your opinion. Rest assured, it will be given all the consideration that it is due.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Though not Catholic I was greatly pained by the revelations of widespread sexual abuse of boys even if you were not.

[ArrogantBustard]

I see that you joined this forum in 2000; therefore you were a participant during the time when the scandal received huge amounts of MSM publicity. My opinion, expressed at the time, is a matter of public record. Feel free to look it up.

Meantime, mediots like Hannity, and politicians like Giuliani, don't get a pass just because the Church is also actively ridding herself of faggots in Roman Collars. If the Church's ability to multitask offends you, you'll just have to shut up and take it.

[mockingbyrd]

Why thank you!

LOL you tagline, if I didn't know better I would think you are my brother, but I don't think you're a freshman at TAC.

[mockingbyrd]

Thank you.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I was here prior to 2000 under another name.

Your snide comment has little to do with anything insulting to me. It should be insulting to others though that the dirty little secret was not addressed until the scandel hit the airwaves big time. After all you cannot pretend that no one knew this was a huge problem.

[trisham]

Though not Catholic I was greatly pained by the revelations of widespread sexual abuse of boys even if you were not.

************

That was an ugly slur. Do you think anyone is convinced you meant that in a Christian way?

[ArrogantBustard]

I was here prior to 2000 under another name.

So? You were here when I commented on the matter. I've already proven that. So you needn't guess what I think of it, you can go look it up if you don't remember. (Hint: Tomas de Torquemada)

Worse, if you think the problem wasn't already being addressed, and hadn't been being addressed for years before the MSM made a lot of noise about it, then you're wrong and that's what you get for believing the MSM.

Meantime, the Church is more than big enough to deal with a few mediots and politicans, if necessary. Learn to live with it.

[ArrogantBustard]

It's a free country. Let him have his say.

Freedom of speech is wonderful.

[trisham]

We certainly know more about him than we did before that post.

[NYer]

No one asks why Sean brought him on the show.

Initially when these stories began emerging, I wondered the same thing but the answer lies above in this article.

Hannity's press handlers called the HLI leader the day his column was published to have him address Hannity live on the program.  Fr. Euteneuer obliged and began a reasoned, calm presentation of his case. "One is simply obliged not to be a heretic in public. That's the point," said Fr. Euteneuer in response to an initial question from Colmes. "If (Hannity) doesn't agree with his Church on that matter he should not be pronouncing on the matter as if he was the authority on that matter. He's not."

[NYer]

Sean doesn't get it

Perhaps now he does ... from the above story ...

The only time Hannity seemed especially affected by the priest came right at the end of the segment when Hannity demanded, "Wait, would you deny me communion?"  Fr. Euteneuer replied, "I would."  Hannity, visibly moved, replied, "Wow, wow."

[NYer]

Both shows were a good discussion on cafeteria catholics and not simply a session to beat up Sean.

Thank you for that information. Sorry I missed the shows but glad to know that as a result of this confrontation on FoxNews, a large audience of Catholics (many of whom are CINOs) were able to hear a strong - and very calm - witness to their faith. Food for the sheep from a good shepherd. I'm betting Fr. Euteneuer is now a strong candidate for Monsignor.

[NYer]

After 15 years of never using birth control, my husband and I finally had our first and only child. Trust me, we wanted children badly, and it wasn't for lack of trying!

What a great blessing! In today's society, medical science would probably attribute the conception to some chemical change in your body. But in bliblical ... and, if you have such faith ... even contemporary times, this child was indeed a gift from God. It immediately brings to mind one of my favorite Gospel stories - The Announcement to Zechariah.

"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard..." (Luke 1:13).

---

Luke
Chapter 1

5

² In the days of Herod, King of Judea, ³ there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6

Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

7

But they had no child, ⁴ because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

8

Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God,

9

according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

10

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,

11

the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

12

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

13

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, ⁵ Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.

14

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

15

for he will be great in the sight of (the) Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. ⁶ He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,

16

and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

17

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah ⁷ to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

18

Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

19

And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, ⁸ who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

20

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk ⁹ until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

21

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

22

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

23

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

24

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

25

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others."

[NYer]

IMHO, Euteneuer is a cold, arrogant man who is totally lacking in charity. There would have been many other ways to address Sean Hannity, without the public vilification, especially the statement that he would deny Communion to Sean.

So you agree with Sean on contraception?

As to the 'public vilification' (as you expressed it), I would refer you back to the article which states that Hannity's handlers contacted Fr. Euteneuer, and not vice versa. Should a Catholic priest, under such circumstances, preach the truth or placate the public individual's personal sins?

[B-Chan]

Why do you assume that it is only I who would suffer? In a healthy marriage where sexual relations are both a celebration of the possibility of procreation and a unifying symbol of the couple's love, we would both suffer.

D'accord.

And so I infer from your post that one cannot enjoy the unity aspect of sexual relations unless one also accepts the possibility for procreation, even if by procreating you place at risk the life of the mother and the baby.

That is what the Church teaches.

"'[E]very action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible' is intrinsically evil"...
— [Catechism, Part 3, Sec. 2 2, Ch. 2 2, Art. 6, Sub. 3, H2]

"In conformity with these landmarks in the human and Christian vision of marriage, we must once again declare that... every action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible [excluded as licit means of regulating birth]... [I]t is not licit, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil so that good may follow therefrom; that is, to make into the object of a positive act of the will something which is intrinsically disordered, and hence unworthy of the human person, even when the intention is to safeguard or promote individual, family or social well-being.
— [Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 14.]

And what if by denying sexual relations, you cause undue stress in the relationship?

Then it becomes the responsibility of the man and wife to seek help in coming to terms with these stresses.

What if divorce results? Is that also love?

For the faithful Catholic, divorce is not an option. Should circumstances require one or both partners to renounce the licit sexual activity of marriage for the sake of God, they should seek support from their friends, families and ministers in coming to terms with this sacrifice.

Sacrifice is, as you know, the very root of the Christian faith. Our Lady was a perpetual virgin dedicated to the Lord; St. Joseph knew Our Lady was off limits, yet he sacrificed his own sexual desires as a love offering to his Son. If faced with the opportunity to emulate these heroes of the Faith, shall we do less?

[NYer]

One would think the Church would be better served by attacked the rot within the clergy rather than Sean's "heresey". After all, that scandel has done FAR more to damage the Church than Hannity could ever do.

Thank you for the post. First off, let me point out that the 'clergy scandal' is not limited to the Catholic Church.

reports of ministers sexually abusing children

The major difference is that this 'scandal' proved to be a tremendous blessing. As a result of the media shining a laser beam only on the Catholic Church, corrective measures have been taken and scrutinies put in place to prevent this from ever occuring again. Sad that such is not the case for non-Catholic denominations where this practice continues, unchecked. In fact, the worse sexual abuse of children occurs in the public schools yet the media remains silent. Why?

Secondly, as to Sean switching topics from his misunderstanding to an attack on the priest, I believe Fr. Euteneuer addresses this quite well in his response.

Most surprising of all, however, was Hannity’s use of what I call the “argument from pedophilia;” namely, the tendency to fall back on the Church sex abuse scandal when you’re losing an argument with a priest and have to grab for something. I have had people do this to me in front of abortion clinics, at Da Vinci Code protests and in private conversations about Catholicism for the past several years. Let’s just say I didn’t expect it from Hannity! Was it me or did Sean just disconnect from reality at that moment? Where in the world did that come from? Well, it’s because Hannity’s really a closet liberal when pushed to the wall. True colors come out in the wash, and the birth control issue just has a greater tendency to touch the sensitive areas of people’s philosophies of life.

[unsycophant]

I gave in and watched the video of Vannity shouting down the priest. It was embarrassing and shameful.

Maybe he acts that way all the time, interrupting and talking over his guests, putting words in their mouths-but that he'd do it with someone he badgered to be on his show, simply to score points from, is exactly why I don't watch him.

Vannity seems incapable of formulating an independent thought that isn't bordering on obnoxious or condescending. His rants about having attended seminary and knowing Latin, were not even in *context* to the subject matter.

He's a mental lightweight, and once again it shows.

[NYer]

Though not Catholic I was greatly pained by the revelations of widespread sexual abuse of boys even if you were not.

Then this may well tip your keel.

[Campion]

I don't think you're right on the effectiveness of perfect condom use. A Johns Hopkins publications puts it at 97%, with average use at 86%.

Thank you for the correction.

Of course, "perfect use" is probably a pretty unrealistic situation or expectation for most people.

Symptothermal NFP has a perfect use effectiveness above 98%, BTW.