Exorcism and the Church Militant: Fr. Euteneuer, Pro-Life Leader, Is Also an Exorcist

By Deal W. Hudson, Ph.D.
7/20/2010
Inside Catholic (www.insidecatholic.com)

Demons are basically handcuffed, and they know it

By the end of my interview with Father Euteneuer, I realized my initial question about being frightened of demons had betrayed my misunderstanding of the limits of demonic power. Exorcism and the Church Militant is a book that should provide guidance to many for years to come, especially for parents who need a reminder that the occult is not innocent entertainment.

Father Thomas J. Euteneuer.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

WASHINGTON, DC (Inside Catholic) - Having just read Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuers's new book, Exorcism and the Church Militant, one of the first things I asked him was whether he was afraid of demons. I shivered more than once reading through its short chapters, arranged as basic questions about the devil, demons, possession, and the rite of exorcism.

"Not at all," Father answered with a smile. "God has given me the grace to remain unafraid."

When I expressed my surprise, he explained, "Demons are basically handcuffed, and they know it."

Father Euteneuer does not speak as a theorist. Since 2003 he's had extensive experience ministering to those possessed by demons. His introduction to the demonic world happened when a family asked him for help for one of their members, and he eventually asked for permission to perform the rite of exorcism. He has been doing them ever since.

Exorcism and the Church Militant is intended, in part, as a warning to parents who allow their children to be desensitized to "the dark world" by books and films like the Harry Potter series and the vampire books of Stephanie Meyer. Father Euteneuer told me possession is almost always a result of someone getting involved in some sort of occult practices, such as witchcraft, Wicca, tarot cards, and Ouiji boards.

"Harry Potter and these Twilight vampires glamorize the power of evil," Father Eutenener explained, "and this has lead to many, many cases of possession among young people." It may begin with a child or teenager simply "playing around" with the occult, but that seemingly harmless act is "opening a window" to possession.

Father Euteneuer emphasized this point, "Demons do not discriminate between intentions -- no matter how innocent -- and children lose the clear distinction between good and evil."

What makes the occult so dangerous is the fact that it is based upon something real -- the preternatural world of fallen angels, headed by Lucifer himself. Below him are the "choirs" of devils and demons who are a reverse mirror, in their fallen state, of the hierarchy of angels.

Yet, as Father Euteneuer made clear, this entire dark spiritual world "cannot operate without permission from human beings." He pointed out that the widely-seen film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, based upon the actual case of Anneliese Michel, makes it seem like a possession can occur against a person's will.

Demons play by the rules, as it were. They can only enter a person when invited, and they will leave when subjected through the rite of exorcism to the authority of the Church. "All demons understand is authority," according to Father Euteneuer. He told me of a time he was with someone who was possessed -- not intending to do an exorcism because permission had not yet been given -- and the demon spoke to him saying, "The Church is not here."

Father Euteneuer reminded me that as fallen angels, demons are smarter than any human being. "The darkest demon is smarter than I am," he said. An exorcist must remain aware of the demon's ability to know everything about the person they are possessing, including family members, and those who may enter the room to cast them out.

One demon attempted to negotiate with Father Euteneuer, offering to help him with his Latin if he would let him stay put.

That story prompted me to ask if demons had a sense of humor. "No," Euteneuer replied. "The demon was only trying to resist being cast out. They know what an exorcism is, what is going to happen to them."

Possession usually involves more than one demon. Father Euteneuer explained that when "one demon gets in it will help to create more invitations to other demons." The more powerful ones have biblical names, and he often runs into demons with the same name, as if they had a kind of demonic family name.

The possession of an individual person is a perverse imitation of the Incarnation. "They know they've lost the war in heaven, now they've come to earth and are doing all they can to exert their power and be an obstacle to heaven." That's why demons experience some form of pain when they are exorcised -- Father Euteneuer said demons will often complain that "It burns." They have been deprived of the satisfaction of entering a body in imitation of the Word made flesh.

-----

Deal W. Hudson is the director of InsideCatholic.com and the author of Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (Simon and Schuster).

- - -

The mission of InsideCatholic.com is to be a voice for authentic Catholicism in the public square.We believe that truth is both attractive and compelling and that in the marketplace of ideas, it will invariably win out.

Keywords:

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 10 of 203 Comments

Anonymous
1 year ago
I am Catholic and always had conflicting feelings for the church. I love Jesus, Mary, Joesph and all the angels and saints. I do attend mass regularly, but feel uneasy there. There are those sitting in the pews that are strangers to me and some that are acquaintances. I have also seen evil in many in their faces, including the priests and nuns. I want to be there to recieve the sacrament of communion, and can't help a part of me doesn't want to attend at all.

The devil or Satan has invaded our Catholic and non-Catholic communities. Drugs, alcohol, child abuse, abortion are at an all time high. There aren't enough priests to perform the necessary exorcism rituals. Too many have turned their backs on God and we are doomed without prayer in our lives. The world will become more evil and there is evidence all around as proof.

Keep the faith and that is all that is needed to fight these demons. Reject sin and those that want you to join them to the path of eternal fire. I'm not a religious fanatic, but have seen the error of my ways and decided to change. Those that knew the old me, the person that once was angry, sarcastic and unfeeling to others, have become scared to be around me. I only see that as the devil in them is scared of me. Try to do right in your life and look to God, Blessed Mother and everything will be better. It finally worked for me.
Pattie
2 years ago
How can I get Father to exorcise the demons in me? Priests like Fr. E are rare. Priests vary in intelligence, faith and personality. How do I find a priest like Fr. E or how do I meet Father E so that he can exorcise what has been in me for 50 years? Truly if anyone knows how I could get a line of Father E, please ....tell me. Most priests will not take me seriously or they kick me out of their church. Thank you if you can help.
vrod
2 years ago
The referenced book by Father Euteneur was abruptly recalled from the stores and is no longer available for purchase. All my attempts to contact HLI for an explanation or to seek a copy of the book went unanswered. All the bookstore chains that used to sell it, including Amazon, explained that all their copies were recalled by the publisher. I was interested in reading this book but it is impossible to find a copy unless you know somerone who has one.
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Cyril

Are you informed in Catholic Faith I ask humbly because when it comes to Satan your not educated on the subject.

Christ taught about this entity and its safe to say its real so that means we must study what it says about the demonic but not at the price of our souls.

Im reading Interview with an Exorcist by Father Fortea who is an Excorcist and quite frankly the book is quite logical on the subject. I recommend it for sudy purposes of course and not to focus on the entity called Satan and the other minion. I also recommend we focus on Christ but its ok to be aware of the supernatural world which houses the evil ones to protect ourselves with the Sacraments etc.

Also I dont know how the church could use something like this to hold onto us when the Church teaches we have free will in the Bible. Again I recommend you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and educate yourself on Catholic doctrine.

The church teaches that our Lord is our Master and we cannot serve two. The church is our Mother and we look to her for guidance especially in trying times as today. You speak of control and the only thing which controls are the evil ones not mother church. The Lord will set one free. The Church has this information so how can she be controlling when all she wants for us is the best. Jesus Christ is the best for us.
Cyril
2 years ago
Entertaining comments from many of the participants in this session. The imagination is running wild apparently. I agree with one of the writers that Jesus is the one who can drive out devils and deamons and not the church institution or the Vatican. I sure many of the writers who responded to this article will have nightmares for sure. God bless all of you. Someone else said that creating this fear of devils and deamons is a way for the church institution to gain control over the flock.
pepetual
2 years ago
LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Steve
2 years ago
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the earth seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Josef Kozma
2 years ago
Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Do I need to say more!? To those who think demons and exorcism are superstition, I pray for you every time I pray the divine mercy chaplet. God says, "the deceived and the deceiver are mine"
PhilipEdmund
2 years ago
Surely the demons step up to us when we put ourselves in a bad situation. Lust, anger, hatred, lazyness, depression...feeling sorry for ouselves, arrogance. They know the weaknesses of mankind and are poised to take action when they sense and opportunity. Harry Potter occult fascination is one way they can get a grip on us, but I would guess they need to work on us primarily through our vices, not casual reading, but even in casual reading, they are there. Realize that you are a war constantly. Evil abhores a vacuum, there are no easy days. Something as simple as driving to work can get you in a bad mood and the demons are there to take action...you go to work, maybe you could have witnessed to your faith, but you werent ready, you had the wrong mindset and blew the chance. Its constant warfare, believe it.
Wes Lisitza
2 years ago
The best comments here are usually the short and simple, so I'll try imitate them. I like Fr. Euteneuer and what he has to say. He is a true servant of Christ in his endeavors, and to listen to the man speak and read his books, you can tell that he has experienced much and knows where evil comes from. If he says that he's come across people who were possessed because they had a window like Harry Potter and Twilight, I won't doubt that those people became possessed. I, myself, have read Harry Potter, and I don't feel like sitting in the middle of a burning pentagram. But the point is that there are people who find themselves becoming obsessed with escapism, who find power in the written word. There's so much lore on Harry Potter, Pokemon, Twilight and the like, you could establish a cult and worship the same things the characters did. Just look at how beloved a character as Cthulu is after H.P. Lovecraft wrote about him. Or myths like "Bloody Mary". The point is that people give power to things over them everyday any many ways, and when you desire disordered things, you have an audience listening and waiting for what you ask (good or evil). Many atheists don't believe this, to their detriment, and they go on to ridicule spiritually aware and belittle them. Wicca's tenets, for instantance, is the realization of self-empowerment and self-divinity. It is contrary to Christianity, and yet, it is not the only "religion" to be as much. I offer to you, as a former practitioner of vodou and a former dabbler of the occult, be careful what you wish for, be careful of whom you call friends, and be mindful of who touches your food and cooks for you. In all things put God first, and in all things put God's Will first. It is not as detrimental to your life to be accepted by everyone as it is to be faithful to your God who created you.

Prev12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment