Catholic World News News Feature

Pro-life priest clashes with Fox News host March 13, 2007

A prominent American pro-life priest has clashed publically with a nationally syndicated talk-show host because of the latter’s support for contraception.

Father Thomas Euteneuer, the president of Human Life International, took Fox News personality Sean Hannity to task for his endorsement of birth control. In response, Hannity invited the priest to appear on his television show, questioning whether Father Euteneuer had the right to criticize him.

“Judge not lest you be judged,” Hannity repeatedly told his guest, informing Father Euteneuer that he had studied Latin. In reply the priest said that he merely asking Hannity to be honest, and avoid public conflicts with the teaching of the faith. At the close of the televised segment Father Euteneuer said that as long as Hannity maintained his public stance in support of contraception, he should not receive the Eucharist.

The debate between Father Euteneuer and Sean Hannity can be seen on the Fox News web site. Father Euteneuer has made the dispute the main topic of two newsletters, issued March 9 and March 12 and available on the site of Human Life International.