Alberto Cutie, 'Father Oprah,' Leaves Catholic Church, Joins Epsicopal Church After Being Photographed Kissing His Girlfriend

MIAMI — A popular priest known as "Father Oprah" has left the Roman Catholic Church and joined the Episcopal Church less than a month after a tabloid published photos of him cavorting on the beach with his girlfriend in a scandal that rocked South Florida's Spanish-speaking community.

On Thursday, as thunder boomed outside and paparazzi cameras flashed, the Rev. Alberto Cutie (KOO'-tee-ay) held a news conference at the pulpit of the Episcopal Church's Trinity Cathedral. Standing behind him: the Episcopal bishop, a half-dozen Episcopal priests and his girlfriend.

He did not talk about his relationship with the woman, who has been identified in local media as 35-year-old divorcee Ruhama Buni Canellis, or if he has plans to marry her. He did say in a statement that he "began to have spiritual and deep ideological struggles" and "has seen the ways that many of my brothers serve God as married men, with the blessing of forming a family."

Cutie was removed from his Miami Beach Catholic church after photos of him smooching and embracing a woman appeared in the pages of a Spanish-language magazine earlier this month. With his leading man good looks, appearances in local newspapers' social pages and as the host of a TV show, Cutie is one of South Florida's most recognizable characters.

Cutie is scheduled to deliver a sermon this Sunday at his new church, which received him in a ceremony Thursday, but must complete other requirements before serving as an Episcopal priest.

The Episcopal Church allows its priests to marry and date. The Catholic Church requires them to be celibate.

Cutie thanked supporters and asked the media to respect his privacy. He said his decision did not come quickly.

"I have searched my soul and sought God's guidance for a long time," he said.

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He said his struggle "should in no way tarnish the commitment of so many brother priests who are celibate and faithful to their promise."

That struggle was news to Archbishop John Favalora, who said he met with Cutie on May 5, after the photos were published, and that the priest didn't indicate he was wrestling with such thoughts. In a statement, he admonished the 40-year-old Cutie and Episcopal leaders in Miami.

"He has never told me that he was considering joining the Episcopal Church," Favalora said. "(The Episcopal Bishop) has never spoken to me about his position on this delicate matter or what actions he was contemplating. This truly is a serious setback for ecumenical relations and cooperation between us."

Added Favalora: "It's unsettling to the faith, that's why it's a scandal. But the church has been through scandals before _ the church will survive."

Cutie headed the archdiocese's Radio Paz and Radio Peace broadcasts, heard throughout the Americas and in Spain, and earned the nickname "Father Oprah" for his relationship advice. Since the scandal broke, bloggers have commented on his "dreamy" blue eyes.

The Cuban-American priest was born in Puerto Rico and previously hosted shows on Telemundo, the second-largest Spanish-language network in the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. He is also a syndicated Spanish-language columnist and author of the book "Real Life, Real Love: 7 Paths to a Strong, Lasting Relationship."

Earlier this month, Cutie told CBS he has been romantically involved with the woman in the photos for about two years after being friends for much longer.

"I believe that I've fallen in love and I believe that I've struggled with that, between my love for God, and my love for the church and my love for service," Cutie said. Cutie maintains that he supports the Catholic Church's stand that priests should be celibate and does not want to become the "anti-celibacy priest."

After the scandal, more than 100 people gathered outside Cutie's former parish in Miami Beach, waving posters and chanting their forgiveness of the popular cleric. On Thursday, news of Cutie's religious switch inundated Spanish-language talk radio.

Cutie, during his brief statement to the media on Thursday, said he was "humbled" by the tsunami of support. His girlfriend _ dressed in a gray suit and pink lipstick _ said nothing. When Cutie was finished speaking, a TV reporter shouted in Spanish, "Father Alberto, we are live," and Cutie, and the woman, smiled and walked away from the pulpit.

Comments

[CatholicPhiladelphia]

To all the anti-Catholics: News Flash The Catholic church allows married priests.
1. If you are married prior to becoming a priest sometimes you can become a priest it's up to the Church.
2. If you are married, convert and/or your church comes back into communion with the Catholic Church you can keep your spouse.

The Pope always must be a celibate man. The Vatican is a very powerful institution we would never want to see a John Hagee like character become Pope that's why their is very little deviation from church teachings over 2000 Years.

So expect to see Father Cutie back in the Catholic church in a year or so. I have no problem with married priests at the lower level.

Anglican vicars, father and son, who became Catholic priests
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5413023.ece
Instruction on Controversial Questions: Married Priests
http://catholicplanet.com/articles/instruction002.htm

[IslandGyal]

He's too cute to believe in a sky fairy person in the sky controling one's life.

[chulanow]

Putting the affair aside for a minute, it concerns me that he has been playing games and lying to people for over two years

His actions are severe, they have shaken the core of many catholics who believed in him.

Too bad he didn't do the right thing two years ago! If he hadn't got caught he probably would of kept this lie going for years.

[MagicalPossibilities]

Good for him. I wish him and his lovely girlfriend much happiness whether or not they decide to marry. At least he now has that option.
I hope this is the beginning of the end for the Catholic Church and their ridiculous stance on sexual and reproductive matters. Change or go the way of the dodo.
I've always wondered how a celibate man is supposed to be able to counsel a married couple.
And birth control is not only a nice thing to have, it's a necessity in this age of overpopulation, not to mention the expense involved in raising a child.

[Giada]

"Tsunami of support," .... I'm so pleased to hear he'll transition with care and support. The, "dead church," will not change until it find's itself in, "financial need." Humanity and the, "one and only true church," is oxymoronic.

[inorbit]

Hey, Cutie, the Episcopal Church has a long tradition of priests who have affairs - you'll fit right in. Welcome, brother!

That said, I think the required celibacy of Catholic priests is ridiculous and needs to be dropped. Soon there won't be anymore Catholic priests and the religion will become extinct.

[TigersEye]

Human beings need companionship and love. It's unrealistic that any religion require the opposite. I don't care what the priests do with each other as long as they leave the children alone. But then again, I haven't been Catholic in over 30 years.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

If this guy had any integrity, he should have walked away from the Catholic church before he violated his freely given vows. He would have been just as welcomed as a Episopalian then.

I think he is only upset that he got caught. I hope the Episcopalians watch him because he seems a little too swarmy and easy to jusify taking what he wants.

[MalloMel]

I have a couple of questions:

In the Episcopal religion, what happens to a wife or any children if a priest dies? Are they forced out into the streets? Are they taken care of? What happens?

Also, what about medical needs for priests in the Catholic religion, and for priests and their families in the Episcopal religion?

Just a couple of questions that came to mind. I wonder if someone can help me answer these?

[inorbit]

Episcopal priests that are married are like any other married couple. If they are employed by the Church they get life insurance and health insurance as a benefit. I'm sure that if a priest dies and his/her family is struggling that the Church will reach out and help them. Personally, I haven't seen that happen yet, but I'm sure there are provisions for survivors. You can call any Episcopal church and get that question answered. As for Catholic priests, their order takes care of them.

[CatholicPhiladelphia]

Most Episcopalians have already converted to Catholicism or just left religion all toghether especially since they allowed a Gay Bishop and Female Priests. Right now there are more Muslims in America than Episcopalians. So should the church change and become more like the Episcopal church?
The Church does allow married priests in certain circumstances there is also many types of Catholics Lutheran, Anglican and Eastern Catholics. Don't believe everything you read or hear most times it's from a enimy of the church.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is reportedly recommending that the Traditional Anglican Communion (T.A.C.) be offered the status of personal prelature. The Traditional Anglican Communion is a group of approximately 400,000 Anglican’s that have broken away from the Anglican Communion seeking to preserve their Anglo-Catholic traditions. They formerly requested entry into the Catholic Church in 2007. These reports are emanating from an Australian Catholic weekly called The Record
http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/01/29/personal-prelature-for-traditional-anglican-communion/

[MJJM]

I'm glad he stopped living a LIE and came out of the CLOSET!!

[MJJM]

Welcome to the HUMAN race, Father.

[LateDave]

I just spent an hour or so in the appropriate parts of Wikipedia, and I recommend you do the same.

The rule (church law, not doctrine), dating to before 400 AD, is changeable. It comes from the apostle Paul, basically, in an effort to imitate the reputed purity of the Christ, whose example Paul said he was himself emulating.

I can't say the Pauline church is fairly called Christian, since I know so little of its history and teachings. However, IMHO, the law should be changed in view of its dubious results. Some say (pardon the expression) that there are few who fail in this and other Pauline disciplines, and that other churches with married clergy are no better. I am not persuaded. Many who would serve their congregations well do not consider the church because it is so unnatural, while others who are emotionally crippled and thus not well qualified to serve are drawn in but fail the faithful.

I suspect very few of the church fathers foresaw a mission after the first coming that was longer than the time since Moses. If they had, they might have structured their devotions differently.

[Roses]

. "Some say (pardon the expression) that there are few who fail in this and other Pauline disciplines, and that other churches with married clergy are no better. I am not persuaded."

And you know this HOW?

[missviv]

Am I wrong for being glad that he was caught with a consenting adult instead of a child?

[MalloMel]

I'm glad also, and I'm also glad that he has found a home with some saner religionists. Good for him. He has opened a door that may be hard to close, by going over to the Episcopalians. Maybe this is what it is going to take to make the Catholic Church give up on that inhumane celibacy thing, but then again, maybe not.

[Roses]

I don't think he opened any door. There is a well-worn path between the Anglicans and the Catholics.....both ways.

[Roses]

NO. I am Catholic and I'm very glad it was not a child.
That being said, I think the Catholic Church is now used as a dumping ground for the old saws of 'Catholic priests are ALL pedophiles and NO OTHER religion has a problem with any pedophiles in their midst.'
This is just wrong.
I wish many on these sites would stop being so holier-than-thou. There are sexual deviants in all walks of life.....in Catholic Churches, in Protestant Churches, in everyday society, and in schools.
I see these criticisms as thinly veiled Catholic bigotry. Open your minds people! Learn about the problems before you speak!

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I am with you. I am tired of Catholic priests molesting children.

[Shake-A-Spear]

Father Cutie's playing with his cutie was meant to demonstrate that not all Catholic priests are gay. Now that he's made his point he's moving on -- and out.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

The priests who molested children were not gay. They were pedophiles.

[Shake-A-Spear]

"The priest who molested children were not gay, They were pedophiles."
Thanks for drawing attention to the distinction. Can you make it finer? Heterosexual or homosexual pedophiles?

[Iamawinelover]

I am Catholic myself and I praise him for leaving. Good for him! I for one have said for many years that the Catholic church needs to do away with that man made rule. Even as a child it never made senes to me and I have always questioned it. There is no reason why Priests and Nuns not be allowed to marry. I am sorry to see him go but in my mind he made the best decision for himself and he can finally now be happy, have love and continue to serve God.

[judiNJ]

It is puzzling. I am not Catholic, but I think it has to do with the apostles. However, most of them were married and their wives traveled with them. In fact, it is probably true that Jesus was married as well, as it was appropriate with Jewish families (and actually still is).

[Roses]

The early Church had celibacy as an option. It was made a rule in the medieval Church in order to protect inheritance of Church assets by priests' progeny.

[Roses]

I agree with you. It is good that the Father did not try and stay and have a secret life.
The Catholic church does move slowly, but they do what is most expedient most of the time, (even though they don't admit it, like adopting other societies' religious holidays as their own thus Mithra worship became Christmas). The fact that priests are hard to come by now may make the Catholic hierarchy change the celibacy rules.
I also hope they change the ban on women priests....that seems totally out of line.