(MIAMI) Hold on. Batman! The priest got the girl and remained in the church? How so?
A popular priest known as "Father Oprah" has quit the Roman Catholic Church and joined the Episcopal Church less than a month after a tabloid caught him on the beach with his girlfriend. After years of gay scandals, it was a pleasant surprise to see there were still straight priests in the Catholic Church. One study indicated 25 to 50 per cent of all priests are gay.
The Rev. Alberto Cutie (KOO'-tee-ay) held a news conference at the pulpit of the Episcopal Church's Trinity Cathedral. Standing behind him were an Episcopal bishop, a half-dozen Episcopal priests and his girlfriend. Thunder resounded during the news conference suggesting even the Divine One may have approved.
Father Cutia's girlfriend was an attractive-year-old divorcee, Ruhama Buni Canellis, The priest said that he began to have spiritual and deep ideological struggles and has seen the ways that many of his brothers served God as married men, with the blessing of forming a family.
Cutie was removed from his Miami Beach Catholic church after photos of him kissing and embracing a woman appeared in the pages of a Spanish-language tabloid. Father Cutie is a handsome man who has appeared on the Oprah show. He was also the president of two secular media outlets.
Cutie is scheduled to deliver a sermon recently at his new church, which received him in a ceremony Thursday, but must complete other requirements before he is ordained as an Episcopal priest.
The Episcopal Church allows its priests to marry and date; however, the Catholic Church requires them to be celibate.
"I have searched my soul and sought God's guidance for a long time," he said. He said his decision did not come easily.
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 Catholic Archbishop John Favalora, who said he met with Cutie in early May, 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 (Cutie) 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."
Privately the archbishop probably thought to himself at least it wasn't another gay priest and an alter boy. We won't have another big payout on this scandal, but I lose a most excellent priest.
"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," added the archbishop.
Indeed the church has had many costly scandals which required that churches all over the US to be closed. Since the 1990 more than a US$1.5 billion have been paid out in settlements and legal fees. Four per cent of the priesthood was involved in the misconduct.
The archbishop's theological question of the day is “How many scandals can you get on the head of a pin?”
Cutie headed the archdiocese's Radio Paz (Peace) and Radio Luz (Light) broadcasts, heard throughout the Americas and in Spain. He earned the moniker "Father Oprah" for his relationship advice.
The Cuban-American priest was born in Puerto Rico and was the host of shows on Telemundo, a Spanish-language network in 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."
It looks like he took his own advice and found the woman of his dreams. His fiancée is a beautiful woman.
Earlier this month, Cutie told CBS he has been romantically involved with the woman in the tabloids for about two years. He had been friends with her for a far longer time.
"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 never wanted to become an "anti-celibacy priest."
Cutie, during his brief statement to the media on Thursday, said he was "humbled" by the support. His girlfriend has not yet made any statements.
Father Cutie is a charismatic figure who should flourish in the Anglican Church. He must have the wisdom of Solomon to have found his way out of his religious dilemma. He will be able to continue in the priesthood and have a normal family life.
Perhaps one day his story will be featured on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. This is one fan of Father Cutie who would watch a presentation about this fascinating man.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/28/alberto-cutie-father-opra_n_208779.html
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