Priest's Steamy Pics Land Him In Hot Water

Miami's Popular And Handsome Fr. Cutié Photographed In Swim Trunks Kissing Woman On Beach

(CBS)  Faithful supporters of Father Alberto Cutié have expressed shock and disbelief after photos of the celebrity priest in a Spanish language magazine showed him kissing and fondling a woman on Miami Beach, CBS Station WFOR-TV reports.

Tuesday the Archdiocese of Miami relieved Father Cutié of his duties at St. Francis de Sales parish on Miami Beach and at the Catholic radio station, Radio Peace and Radio Paz.

"This is a difficult day for everyone in the Archdiocese of Miami," said Archdiocese spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta. "We pray for Father Alberto."

The photographs, which will be published Thursday in the TV NOTAS Magazine, show Cutié and an unidentified woman caressing and kissing while in bathing suits on the beach. Sources say the photos were taken in February.

Some of the photos were obtained by the Miami Herald, and they showed Cutié locked in an embrace with the woman. The photographer has also not been identified, but according to the Herald, he had initially tried to sell the photos to MEGATV for several thousand dollars. But his offer was turned down.

The photos raise a question: did Cutié, who was ordained as a priest in 1995, break his church-cherished vow of celibacy?

Click here to watch WFOR-TV's coverage of the scandal.

"The vow of celibacy really means there is a commitment outside the vow that stresses the focus on the holy order," said Ross Agosta. "The vow of celibacy is there for a reason."

She said Cutié's future is not clear, and also said Cutié had been traveling and would now "do what he had to do."

"He's on a prayerful journey," said Ross Agosta. "He's still a priest, but he is on leave."

She said a new administrator is being named for the church and said Father Jose Hernando would now run the Catholic radio station.

Since 1998, Father Cutié has hosted several Spanish-language talk shows and programs. He's been seen in 24 million homes in 22 countries. He writes a syndicated newspaper advice column called "Advice from a friend." He's been dubbed "Father Oprah" by his fans. He also was published. His book is "Real Life, Real Love: 7 paths to a strong and lasting relationship." He was the son of Cuban parents. He grew up in Miami and attended Southwest High School.

Many parishioners were in disbelief when they learned of the photos.

"He's a saint," said Amelia Ortiz.

"The pictures are false and manipulated." Maria Martinez said, "He's a good man. He's good for the community. I don't believe these pictures. It's impossible. It's impossible that he would do something like that."

Another parishioner, Maria Cerna, said of Cutié, "He's a good man. He usually helps everybody, like the young people. He's a gentleman. Oh my God, I don't believe it. I don't believe it."

However, Fr. Cutié did release the following statement:

"Before God - full of love and mercy - I ask for the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions. Since I entered the seminary at the age of 18, the priesthood has brought me great joy. The commitment that I made to serve God will remain intact. I am grateful for the love and support I have received today from so many in our community, especially my parishioners and the supporters of the radio stations who have demonstrated great compassion and understanding toward me as a human being. I ask for your continued prayers and support."

Monday, Archbishop John Favalora released this statement:

"I am deeply saddened by the news surrounding Father Alberto Cutié. I apologize on behalf of the Church in Miami to the parishioners of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, where he serves as administrator, to the listeners and supporters of Radio Paz and Radio Peace, and to the entire Archdiocese.

Father Cutié made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God.

Father Cutié's actions cannot be condoned despite the good works he has done as a priest. I ask for everyone's prayers at this time. Scandals such as this offer an occasion for the Church on all levels to examine our consciences regarding the integrity of our commitments to the Lord and to his Church."

[GWMO]

I must admit that I am disappointed that The Early Show dropped the ball so easily when previously interviewing about this for two reasons:

1a. Question asked: Why is there a vow of celibacy in the church?

1b. Better Question: Why celibacy is such an issue when it was not observed by the church several times in the past?

2a. Answer given related to information found in the Bible.

2b. People look to The Early Show, and CBS in general, for factual answers ? since when does an inference from the Bible constitute journalistic fact?

[miraculousbeads]

I think the Catholic Church should not expect a man to take a vow of celibacy in order to enter the priesthood.

It is unnatural for most people to remain in a state of celibacy
.
Did not God create Eve for Adam?

Let us pray!
miraculousbeads.com

[handy45]

The Vatican needs to change this policy on priests having to be celibate. Priests are only human.

[anna33308]

I am a Catholic and do not agree with the church. Priests should able to marry , have a family and make perfect husbands and fathers.
Father Alberto is a great priest and have served the community with honors. I had been in several masses here in Broward County when Father Ricardo got into problems with the church and Father Alberto came to help us out. I am also happy to know that Father Alberto is a real man and is only human. No shame about it!
I hope and pray that the Pope considers changiheng the rule and allow priests to make model families for all of us.
Father Albeto, you have all my support. Go ahead and be happy as The Lord is with you and Your Loved One.
Anna in Fort Lauderdale.

[Melissasue39]

Does anyone see the resemblence to Ben Afflec?

[erb0087]

"...photos of the celebrity priest in a Spanish language magazine showed him kissing and fondling a woman on Miami Beach..."

Lets not rush to judgment.

He may well have been washing her feet in New Testament fashion.

"and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them." - Luke 7:38

[erb0087]

Why are Christians so afraid of sex???
Posted by stephanienym

Are you kidding ?

The price these days has gone through the roof.

[erb0087]

(CBS) Faithful supporters of Father Alberto Cutié have expressed shock and disbelief after photos of the celebrity priest in a Spanish language magazine showed him kissing and fondling a woman on Miami Beach, CBS Station WFOR-TV reports.
=============================

Father "Cutie" ?

Where is the Flying Nun when we need her ?

[rsmik]

If priests were allowed to marry there'd be a lot less altar boys

[rsmik]

Now they can remake the Thornbirds

[debrasimons]

Amazingly, he was not caught abusing a young male or female child congregant.. he should be applauded here.. It is time to allow priests to have normal relationships- because as we have seen with the extreme amounts of child sexual abuse so prevalent in the Catholic church, it is apparent that the way of doing things thus far is not working, nor in history has it ever worked,. The celibate rule was broken over the centuries, only the partners were victims of abuse, not by choice.. If anyone is silly enough to still take the liturgy of this church to heart, then they should at least admit the obvious.. And at the same time question why the abusive priests are so rarely made to pay for their heinous crimes against nature.. debra reece simons, asheville,nc

[Culture_Warrior_in_09]

Apostle Paul made it very clear that though it may be good to remain without a wife it is NOT a sin have a wife.
Posted by elishebeth at 5:22 AM : May 7, 200

Exactly. This is why the Catholic church takes the Scripture out of context and adds in their own rules, man made rules.

The Scripture is not the authority in the Catholic Church, but rather the Pope and the Vatican are, instead.

The Word is supposed to be the authority when you are a Christian.

[greybeardvet]

I don't get it. What's so bad about a young priest kissing a good looking woman? Does that make him a creepy person or just a human being? I know, I know, there are vows and things that make this bad, but really, isn't the truly bad thing the way the Catholic Church tries to impose chasity on healthy adults? Who do they think they are, God?

[bloodredskye]

wow, he's cute. lol shouldnt we be at least happy he's kissing on a woman instead of a underage boy.

[rsmik]

He's a real cutie

[nursemark-2009]

Really, it is time the Catholic Church allowed priests to marry. They have admitted it is their own rule not something send down by God. If the Orthodox priests, (who are an older division, of Christianity, who the Catholics broke off from), can marry, than why not the Catholics priests? Maybe its time to for the bishops to stop listening to the pope and read their Bibles.

[tomanyt]

Priest's Steamy Pics Land Him In Hot Water...So this guys is seen "touching" a woman on a beach and he gets fired. But if a priest molests a child they cover it up????????????????????????

[mauriciott]

What is it with the Catholic church and their obsesion with sex. They have built their church over priests that are not supposed to feel any of the body's needs as given by God. They are making it look dirty. Sex is a God given experience and not a man's permitted or forbiden act, moreover, sex is necessary to the health of a human being. Can they not accept it as such? How long will they uphold all their hipocrytical attitudes towards sex, women, birth control and other matters of the same kind. Perhaps this has a lot to do with the diminishing umbers of priests around the world. Is our love for God any less because we lay in bed with our lover? Are we offending Him because we surrender to our bodily needs? I sincerely do not think so.

[flor31]

who are we to condem anybody, i'm glad that we don't stone people anymore at least in the US.Otherwise all of us would be death. I'm Catholic and wherever priests do will not change my faith I believe in God not in man that is y Jesus said do what they say not what they do.

[betty_d1]

If anyone has read a history of the Catholic Church from the era of the Borgia & Medici families to the modern era, what he did was mild in comparison to the previous debauchery.