Fr. Euteneuer leaves HLI prexy post

FRONT ROYAL, VA , August 27, 2010—“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.”

With this belief, Human Life International (HLI) President Rev. Fr. Thomas Euteneuer heeds his curtain call to leave his post as the organization’s patriarch. In an edition of hli.org’s Spirit and Life, the priest published his heartfelt farewell and expressed his complete confidence in his return to his original diocese in West Palm Beach, Florida..

“I have great peace about the road that lies ahead and about all that has been accomplished up to this point.”

Despite resigning from his position, the staunch priest-prolifer promised to continue sowing the seeds of the culture of life even at his own parish.

“I intend to continue to do pro-life work wherever I may be called to serve, and my bishop agrees that this is a vital charism of my priestly life.”

But before he assumes his full-time assignment in the parish, Fr. Tom wishes to go on a sojourn for renewal and rest first.

“I hope to take some time out before I go back into full-time parish work. I expect that some time of rest and renewal will help me to make the transition. It has been 15 years since I last had any significant time for renewal, and after travelling more than 1.1 million miles, authoring two books, visiting 58 countries and making thousands of public appearances, I am ready for a break!”

Under Fr. Tom’s 10 years of leadership, HLI was able to conduct its mission of spreading the culture of life to 105 countries including the Philippines. At the end of his letter, the priest articulated his gratitude to all off those who supported his undertakings and his request for continued prayers for him and his pro-life mission.

“I have always said that the Lord will bless with an abundance of life those who work for the cause of life. I ask for your kind prayers as I move forward and I promise that I will remember each of you and your families and co-workers every day in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the font of all unity and LIFE!”

Assuming Fr. Euteneuer’s post temporarily is Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro of HLI Rome as appointed by the group’s board of directors, who also conveyed their gratitude in a separate press release.

Pro-Life Philippines Foundation extends its great appreciation to Fr. Thomas Euteneuer for his ten years of proactive and unyielding support to the pro-life advocacy and wishes him all the best in his future vicissitudes. (Cited from an original article from hli.org last 08/31/10)