‘Father Oprah’ deserts Catholic Church

Scandal-struck media priest oins Anglicans after he was photographed with his lover
BY STAFF REPORTER
AN AMERICAN archbishop has criticised a well-known Catholic priest for converting to Angicanism after he was caught having an affair.
Archbishop John Favalora of Miami expressed disappointment at both Fr Alberto Cuti6’s decision to join the Episcopal Church and the public way he was received into his new church.
“This truly is a serious setback for ecumenical relations and cooperation” between the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami and the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, the archbishop said in a statement in which he also warned Catholics not to request the sacraments from Fr Cuti6 or attend Masses celebrated by him.
Fr Cuti6, suspended from his parish and Catholic radio posts after photos of him with a woman were released by a tabloid magazine, joined the Episcopal Church last week at a ceremony at Miami’s Trinity Cathedral. The woman, identified as Ruhama Buni Canellis, 35, also became an Episcopalian in the same ceremony.
“I have decided to become part of a new spiritual family within the umbrella of Christianity,” Fr Cuti6 said in a statement. “As I have been saying and writing for years through my work in communications, instead of focusing on our differences, let’s work together so that all may come to believe in a loving and good God, even in the midst of this changing world.” A statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said he would pursue becoming a priest in that church but it was not clear how long the process would take.
Archbishop Favalora said neither Fr Cuti6 nor Episcopal Bishop Leo Frade of Southeast Florida had told him that the priest was considering joining the Episcopal Church.
“The Archdiocese of Miami has never made a public display when for doctrinal reasons Episcopal priests have joined the Catholic Church and sought ordination,” the archbishop said. “In fact, to do so would violate the principles of the Catholic Church governing ecumenical relations. I regret that Bishop Frade has not afforded me or the Catholic community the same courtesy and respect.” Fr Cuti6, 40, said during an interview on CBS’s The Early Show that he has had a twoyear romantic relationship with the woman shown in the photos published in the Spanish-language magazine TVNotas. The Cuban-American priest, dubbed “Father Oprah” because of the advice he gave to couples on Spanish-language radio and television, had been administrator of a parish in Miami Beach and general director and president of Pax Catholic Communications for the Archdiocese of Miami. Archbishop Favalora directed part of his statement to the Catholic community.
“Fr Cuti6 may have abandoned the Catholic Church; he may have abandoned you,” he said. “But I tell you that the Catholic Church will never abandon you; the Archdiocese of Miami is here for you.” Citing various sections of canon law, the archbishop said Fr Cuti6 had separated himself “from the communion of the Roman Catholic Church by professing erro neous faith and morals and refusing submission to the Holy Father”.
Any sacraments he performs “would be illicit” and any Mass he celebrates “would be valid but illicit, meaning it does not meet a Catholic’s obligation”. The statement also noted that Fr Cuti6 “is still bound by his promise to live a celibate life,” from which he can be released only by the Pope.
In a statement published in English and Spanish on Fr Cuti6’s website, www.padrealberto.net, the priest asked people to respect his privacy and the privacy of his loved ones after his decision.
“There have been lies, innuendos, rumours and even hurtful actions by those seeking to profit from my life and struggles in this time of tran sition. I respectfully ask that all these things stop now,” he said.
He also said he would be “continuing the call to spread the message of God’s love and the vocation God gave me to priestly service”.
Fr Cuti6 said his decision to join the Episcopal Church did not just begin a few weeks ago.
“I have searched my soul and sought after God’s guidance for a long time. I have also spoken to friends in and outside the Episcopal Church about their service to God and the many similarities that exist among the various branches of Christianity, which profess the Catholic faith,” he said.
He emphasised that his own personal struggle “should in no way tarnish the commitment of so many brother priests who are celibate and faithful to their promise. I will always love and hold dear the Roman Catholic Church and all its members who are committed to their faith and have enriched my life.” The Associated Press said the Fr Cuti6 was expected to announce that he will marry his girlfriend; the Episcopal Church allows its priests to marry.
Fr Cuti6, whose name is pronounced koo-tee-AY, was born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents and grew up in Miami. He was ordained in 1995; four years later he developed an international following with his television show, Padre Alberto, which was first broadcast on the Latino channel Telemundo.