Hannity Finds His 'Inner Liberal' Amid Exorcist Priest Scandal

Fox News host Sean Hannity addressed the controversy surrounding a top Virginia exorcist Catholic priest at the end of his Hannity cable news show Wednesday night and made note of the unusually favorable treatment he has been getting from Huffington Post commenters.

After playing portions of a now-infamous 2007 exchange in which then-Human Life International Father Thomas Euteneuer called Hannity a "heretic" and "cultural Catholic," Hannity read part of Fr. Euteneuer's recent confession to transgressions which caused him to be removed as head of Human Life International.

"I take full responsibility for my own poor judgment, my weakness and my sinful conduct that resulted from it," Hannity read.

The host then noted the priest's admission of violating his vow of chastity due to human weakness, which Fr. Euteneuer said "did not involve the sexual act."

"Bill Clinton would be proud of that," Hannity joked.

"Look, I don't want to make a situation worse. Apparently something happened -- pretty severe -- and he's been taken away from his position," Hannity said.

But Hannity still seemed upset at at having his faith questioned and the priest's conduct after the appearance on Hannity & Colmes.

"He's so self righteous. He spent years raising money off this exchange with me and building his name recognition," Hannity said.

Euteneuer had originally appeared on the program to chastise Hannity for supporting birth control instead of abortion for persons who did not live a Christian life.

"But in this world we live in, do you really think that you can convince non-Catholics, non-Christians [to] wait until marriage to have sex? There's a certain realistic quality to what I was saying. Not that I like it. It's just real," he said.

Hannity said he does teach his own children to abstain from sex until marriage.

One of the panelists joked that the video clip of his face-off with Rev. Euteneuer had "brought out the inner liberal" in Hannity.

Hannity responded, "That's like the Huffington Post defending me [today]."

A version of this story originally appeared in MyFrontRoyal.com.

Dan McDermott is a former award-winning radio talk show host. He lives in Bentonville and Lynchburg, Va. where he publishes three newspapers: Warren County Report, The Lynchburg Times and The Sherando Times.

 

Follow Dan McDermott on Twitter: www.twitter.com/danielpmcdermot

Comments

[tpk]

01:12 PM on 02/07/2011

I have only one question for Hannity: "Where in the bible it says that sex before marriage is forbidden"?

[DixieDoodle]

09:41 AM on 02/07/2011

Hannity calling anyone self righteous is a joke.
"But in this world we live in, do you really think that you can convince non-Catholics, non-Christians [to] wait until marriage to have sex?"
Just like the right would like to convince everyone that only the liberal left have abortions, he's saying only non-Christians have pre-marital sex. Funny. I wonder if Sarah Palin realizes her daughter isn't a Christian.

[Jason Wolfe]

09:01 AM on 02/06/2011

Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists are also supposed to wait to have sex until marriage. So don't worry Sean Hannity, if people don't believe in Jesus as the savior, there is still hope for no sex before marriage anyway.

"But in this world we live in, do you really think that you can convince non-Catholics, non-Christians [to] wait until marriage to have sex? There's a certain realistic quality to what I was saying. Not that I like it. It's just real," he said. -Sean

[Matthew2010]

10:46 PM on 02/04/2011

"Getting non-Christians to cease committing any sin is ultimately useless...[since] their relationship with God is not changed." Amazing sentence! First the arrogance in "getting" people to act virtuously--as if you take credit for their virtue. And then noting that as non-Christians "their relationship with God is not changed." That's right all you sinless Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc.--you don't and can't have a relationship with God. That's the privelege of Christians (and which demoninations I wonder?) alone. Then, to top it off, it turns out that leading this sort of morally pure life is simply "useless" if you don't accept Sarahinez's religion.

I hate to break it to you, but I don't think you are going to be "making" many disciples with this pitch!

[ninetailedfox]

08:45 AM on 02/05/2011

Non christians dont share your delusions. Id be a hardcore atheist if it wasnt for my NDE. Anubis, Ares, Freyja, Ishtar and many other gods and goddesses protect me and guide me through life. But, when it comes to decisions, my decisions are my own to make. Unless the gods interfere.......which happens far too often.........

[offred]

06:05 PM on 02/04/2011

Married couples, even Catholics, use birth control too. It's not just for singles anymore!

[mrsL]

05:51 PM on 02/04/2011

After the incicent between Hannity and Father Euteneuer, I started listening to Michael Medved's show instead.

[ArcticColin]

10:57 AM on 02/04/2011

Just because you find yourself on this network or that network or with this party or that party doesn't mean you need to abandon your principals to fall in line on every issue. I wish he hadn't backpeddled at all, it's completely inappropriate for anyone to suggest that every person should follow outdated catholic values that aren't even practiced by the majority of catholics. Anyone who thinks that teaching abstinence will reduce pregnancy among teens obviously doesn't remember being a teenager or was just so socially inept that the opportunity never presented itself. Let it go, my grown-up socially awkward bretheren, the jocks and bullies are all flipping burgers while you go on to bigger things, let them have their sex lives. Free condoms for everyone.

[sarahinez]

05:41 PM on 02/04/2011

That a value isn't practiced by a majority doesn't denigrate its power for those who do follow it.

After Ayn Rand, the high priestess of self-reliance, collected Social Security benefits and used Medicare for her health costs--like most Tea Partiers and libertarians. That makes her and them hypocrites, but self-reliance can still be admired where it is found.

[Bluelynx]

10:49 AM on 02/04/2011

So that's what goes on in exorcisms. Interesting!

[ninetailedfox]

08:23 PM on 02/03/2011

There might be hope for Sean Hannity yet. I wont hold my breath on it.......

[hempster]

08:43 PM on 02/03/2011

Redemption's a great thing.

Hannity - not a chance. I just let my breath out.

Wow, to support birth control for non-Christians, rather then abortion,wow, takes some real liberal streak. Damn. Pretty soon Sean's goning to be able to really cast the first stone. Damn

[TimtheEnchanted]

12:26 AM on 02/05/2011

Read 2 Timothy 3 1-5. Hannity is proof we are living in the last days.

[ninetailedfox]

08:41 AM on 02/05/2011

Your bible is BS in bound leather edition.

*shakes fist* Ill give you a last days. Also your bible said you will not know the time or the day, yet christians keep guessing and guessing. Mayan calendar is for Pagans by Pagans. Use your Gregorian calendar, since you take pride in destroying ours.

[phoebequeen]

06:40 PM on 02/03/2011

Read about this yesterday and watched the video. I actually used to watch that show sometimes and must have missed it. I can't believe I agree with Hannity on anything, but he was great when he was debating the priest.

[DanMcDermott]

09:54 PM on 02/03/2011

I thought he was actually pretty restrained. It was not a pleasant conversation for Sean Hannity at all. To have one's faith questioned is a pretty big deal. 'Heretic' and 'cultural Catholic' are pretty strong terms to use against someone. Outrageous for a priest to use in this context.

[John Hathaway]

11:56 PM on 02/04/2011

How is it outrageous? Hannity opposes the clear, defined and dogmatic teachings of the Catholic Church. He is a heretic. He's also a man who promotes violence and hatred.

[ninetailedfox]

09:07 AM on 02/05/2011

To me being called a catholic is an insult. I excommunicated myself a few weeks ago. I was never confirmed though, and that at least makes me happy.