Alberto Cutie, Ruhama Canellis MARRY: Father "Oprah" Marries Girlfriend From Photo Scandal

MIAMI — A telegenic Miami priest known as "Father Oprah," who left the Catholic Church amid an uproar over tabloid photos of him kissing his girlfriend on the beach, made the relationship official Tuesday, marrying the woman he was involved with for about two years.

The Rev. Alberto Cutie and Ruhama Canellis were married by a judge in Coral Gables, according to Miami-Dade County court records. No other details of the wedding were known.

It was the latest in the public spectacle that started when photos of Cutie embracing his longtime girlfriend surfaced last month.

Amid the scandal, Cutie was removed from his South Beach parish, protesters marched to support him, and he departed from Catholicism to become an Episcopal priest.

Cutie, 40, did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Last month, in an interview with CBS, he said, "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."

Canellis, 35, met Cutie in church. The priest said they were friends for years before becoming romantically involved. An e-mail to Canellis prompted an automatic reply that said the account was not being checked but to "keep us in your prayers."

Cutie remains, technically at least, a Catholic priest, though the Miami archdiocese has barred him from celebrating Mass, providing the sacraments or preaching. Only the Vatican can fully remove him from the priesthood.

The Catholic archdiocese declined to comment on the marriage. A message left with a spokeswoman at the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida was not immediately returned. Cutie gave his first sermon before Episcopalians last month, but must meet other requirements before becoming a full-fledged priest in the religion.

Even before the scandal erupted, Cutie's face and voice were known to many for radio and TV broadcasts beamed throughout the Americas and in Spain. He was widely known as a relationship expert, even referred to as "Father Oprah," and he authored a book titled "Real Life, Real Love: 7 Paths to a Strong, Lasting Relationship."

Comments

[larry278]

A reminder to former RC's, we need to be careful when we comment on the Roman Catholic Church & its problems. We can be really bigoted when we speak of RC's. Now all of the RC's scandals are made known by the MSM, with all of the ghastly details of each scandal; it's now common knowledge. Ain't no need to piss on a skunk. I need to stop now before I start a bigoted screed on the RC's.

[davidcannon]

Why a civil cerimoney and not a relegious one? He could have gotten married in the Espiscopal Church, the one he recently joined.

[H Briggs]

Fr. Cutie knows enough about his faith to understand, that marriage is a sacrament. In any Christian church it is considered sacramental. It is a Covenant (not a contract) between 3, The Bride, the Groom and God.

He also knows he has already taken a vow to God through Holy Orders, and he cannot enter into the sacrement of Marriage because he is still bound to his Holy Orders Vow which is still intact. There fore his marriage will never be sacramental. (even if another church allowed him to marry in their church) you cannot enter into a sacrament when bound by another sacrament. Holy Orders is for life (once a Priest always a priest) He has at least 7 years to dicern this while going through seminary, that is a long time. If he could not be faithful to one vow, what makes anyone think he could be faithful to another. Pray for Fr. Cutie and all our priests.

[hootie1fan]

Any bets on how long before the divorce

[flifishun]

Great, he's not a paedo.

[ClassyLady]

This man is truly a hyprocrite!!!

He loves the sex, money and prestige (he thinks he has) more than his religion.
Would he ever have come forward, if not caught?? I don't think so.

Good ridance, good luck and good-by.

[quivira]

He is a Christian above being a Roman Catholic.. He can give as much to God's world by being an Episcopalian, or any other denomination he may have chosen. There is beauty and good to be found in all. . .

[hootie1fan]

Reverands marry, but catholic priests don't fool around. he would have had more credence if he had left the church before he was outed.

[jerrypl]

Here is a guy who was devoted to his congregation. He had much to give, but now, just because he wants to have a loving relationship, the very thing that is preached, he has to leave to have one.

Religion fouls so many things up!

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[MikeDu]

If he had been a... Lutheran, to pick a denomination at random, this would have been a total non-story. Pastor marries.

[judiNJ]

As a minister's daughter, I can heartily agree.

[Gretel1or2]

There' s already a shortage of available men. Why keep the good looking priests who love women away?? I say YAY!

[mwoman]

Good for him!

[THISTLE]

CONGRATS, to them, may they have a long happy married life.
And BRAVO to him, he did not cave to the Catholic Church, he did not abandon the love
of his life. And the Catholic Church instead of attacking people, and telling politicans they
can't receive communion, the church should be dealing with their priests molesting boys
and priests who cover up these CRIMES.

[THISTLE]

Congrats, may they have a wonderful life. And BRAVO to him, he did not cave, or abandon the
love of his life. Best wishes for a long happy married life together.

[wonkguy]

Well, marriages that begin as secret clandestine affairs where one or both parties are lie to themselves and others in order to keep it going often work out well. These two clearly have the judgement and honesty to make this marraige work.

[Zoe2]

Congratulations! i am happy for the new couple.

[AnalyzeIT]

By not allowing priest to marry, they are in one sense using a form of "birth control."

I though the church was and is against birth control.
Just imagine how many more babies would be born if preist were allowed ot have families - maybe many of them would then have no need to take advantage of the "young boys and girls" under their control.

Just a thought...­..........­..........­.........

[nicole44]

*blink*

Next time you string a sentance together please know a little something before commenting because that's one of the most rediculous things, not to mention one of the biggest stretches I've read on here in awhile.

[Donns]

No more Alter Boys for you my man, or at least don't get caught with them.