Priest In Racy Photos: I Had Sex With Her

(CBS)  The celebrity priest at the center of a storm sparked by photos of him in a romantic embrace with a woman on the sands of Miami Beach admits he's had sex with her.

Father Alberto Cutié sat down for his first television interview since the scandal began on The Early Show Monday.

The photos -- 25 in all -- have almost single-handely reignited the debate over the celibacy required of priests by the Catholic Church and the Church's refusal to allow priests to marry.

In the exclusive interview, Cutié -- who wasn't wearing his priest's clothes -- told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez a longtime friendship with the woman became romantic about two years ago, adding that they're in love.

He says he's mulling his next move, which he says could range from breaking up with her to marrying her. The woman, he indicated, wants to marry him.

Conceding he's become "kind of a poster boy" for the debate over priests being celibate, Cutié said priestly celibacy is good, but should be optional.

Overall, he said he's "deeply sorry" about all that's happened.

Rodriguez disclosed last week that her family in Miami Beach has known Cutié well for many years.

Cutié, a handsome, charismatic TV talk show host, radio personality, newspaper columnist and author known to many as "Father Oprah" is seen in images in the Spanish-language magazine TV NOTAS caressing and kissing a woman. Both were in bathing suits. Sources tell CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami the photos were taken in February.

The Archdiocese of Miami has relieved Cutié of his duties at his church and taken him off the air, but many of his parishioners turned out at an emotional rally in Miami Beach on Thursday backing him.

He candidly conceded to Rodriguez Monday, "I don't support the breaking of the celibacy promise. I understand fully that this is wrong.

"I don't want to be the anti-celibacy priest. I think that's unfortunate. I think it's a debate that's going on in our society, and now I've become kind of a poster boy for it. But I don't want to be that. I believe that celibacy is good, and that it's a good commitment to God. This is something I've struggled with. And something that I never expected to become a public debate ...

"What many say is that maybe it should be optional. And that I do believe: I do believe that people should be given the option to marry or not to marry in order to serve God. But the Church, see, has tradition and practices that are part of wanting to do what is right. I think we've all have ideals, and we have ways of living, and we want to do things right. But the truth is, sometimes we fall short. And I fell short."

Cutié said the woman in ths photos "is someone that I love. ... I entered the seminary 22 years ago. And in 22 years I've never had a sexual relationship with anyone. I committed myself fully to my vows. I've never been sexually inappropriate with anyone. I've never had any type of scandal. This is the only person that I've had sexual contact with.

"I believe I've fallen in love. And I believe that I've struggled with that. You know, between my love for God and my love for the church and my love for service. Of course, it's something that a man should never have to deal with in the sense of his commitment, you know. If I was clear in my commitment, I should have stuck to it 100 percent. And I didn't."

Cutie added he and the woman have "both struggled" with their relationship: "She's also a woman of faith. She's also somebody who cares about the priesthood, who cares about these things. So, it hasn't been easy. And those who have helped me through this process know it hasn't been easy. Obviously, you know, through the photos, it looked like a frivolous thing on the beach, you know, and that's not what it is. It's something deeper than that."

Also, he said bluntly, "The truth is there was no one on the beach. It was a very isolated beach."

[ThinkbeforeUspeak]

Well.... I listened to Fr. Cutie's interview, almost a year ago. I do not know where he is at as of now, but I was quite disturbed by his stance: how can you regret falling in love and expressing your love to the person you have met? There is no apology necessary to the Church or the parish. The sad aspect of this story is that he failed to honestly share with his parishioners what was happening in his life, thereby in a way cheating them. However, to his defense, it is not easy publicizing this kind of affair knowing that this would ineluctably result in his dismmissal. Becoming a priest is an enormous commitment that young men probably do not take lightly, thus the understandable hesitation to be completely transparent about his feelings. The other sad fact is that he seems to nourish a deep feeling of guilt and it is questionable to entertain a love relationship with an element of guilt. I do not think either that God uses people to "test" others, in this particular case the strength of a priest's commitment.... God is absolute Love and using people for testing would certianly not acquaint with any kind of love as one would automtically be left hurt. God knows us better than we do and we need to humbly recognize that and maybe He knew better than Fr. Cutie that priesthood with celibacy attached was not for him, and it was time for him to re-evaluate his options.

All the comments about Fr. Cutie's girlfriend are garbage: who are we to judge our brothers and sisters? She, nor is he, any kind of victim- victim of what? love???? This is fairly scary to read that! The Church is the body of Christ, built on God's Love, first and foremost. These are two people made of flesh and bones, who love God and probably have found spiritual communion before the bed, and have communed their love physically. Sex is not dirty when it is subject to Love, which unfortunately our culture has trumped by making it an instrument of power under the lame allegation of "freedom". There is no freedom for a woman who is talked sweetly into becoming an attribute of power.

The problem with the celibacy of priests is that 1- it was imposed by the Church in the Middle Ages when it was customary that a son of aristocratic upbringing (with related substantial "dowry") join its clergy thereby exponentially enriching the Church; as a result the Church certainly did not see well to potentially have to amputate its growing fortune in order to support the families of priests...thus the enormous wealth of the catholic church today; 2- the Church assumes that God wants the same things of us throughout our lives: for some, yes, it may be true, but for other not, and this of course applies to priests like anybody else. Who are we to assume to know what God's plan is for us at any point of time? What a lack of the very humility that our Lord has repeatedly taught us and showed us through His trial and crucifixion! Is it unfathomable to humbly admit that a young man may have felt the Call to priesthood, or thought so, but in the end for another purpose than that of being a priest? even if leaving priesthood is felt as a failure, do not we grow through failures? and if such "failure" is mirrored by a deep Love for a woman, couldn't it be a wonderful outlet to mutate this spritual growth into another line of spiritual activity within the Church?

Regarding the shortage of priests.... alleging that the shortage of priests is due to the celibacy commitment makes priesthood quite a futile affair.... Let's look rather at the environment our kids live in from their tenderest age, brain washed by the Internet, the media, entertainment and fashion industry: how can they grow in the desire to serve God, spiritually guide their brothers and sisters?

[padreygratis]

The only reason Father Alberto spilled the frijoles is cause he got CAUGHT by a candid camera.............no telling how long his affair would have been kept secret.

[padreygratis]

Nonsense--asexual men who don't need sex CAN be celibate and chaste. Don't some asexual males join the priesthood? They shouldn't have any problems embracing the no-sex vow.

Now, picture this: to all hetersexual men joining the priesthood with the option of being on the prowl (put on your red collar, father) or choosing to not marry (you can still wear your plain white collar, father), or homosexuals who are on the prowl (polka-dotted red and white collar, please) or homosexuals who vow to refrain from sex (the black and white striped collar for you!) I DON'T THINK SO.......(The collar insert companies would make quite a profit, huh?)

Oh, and how about THESE:
The Ten Commandments have been deleted.
SIN has been removed from dictionaries.
If in doubt, do it, God loves you and will forgive you. The Church is about love & forgiveness.
There is no hell.
Your word or commitment has NO value.

[MissUSA2009]

MissUsa2009 has it half right, I will concur that Ruhama Canellis shares culpability but Fr. Cutie has the greater responsibility in this scandal and should not be given a free pass whatsoever. In scripture does it not say to whom more is given more will be expected? Fr. Cutie was given great responsibility as pastor of a church and he handled this all wrong from the beginning.

When he had discovered he had feelings for this women he came at a crossroads, he had a a few options he could have absorbed himself in prayer and asked for God's guidance asked for a leave of absence and reflected on his feelings, was this lust? Was it genuine love that he felt for this woman? If it was genuine love as it seems to be his claim as of present He should have quietly resigned as a catholic priest as discreetly as possible.

Instead he he openly flaunted his affair kissing on the beach and carried on this affair for an extended amount of time and from what I have read engaged in an adulterous affair while a catholic priest. Even after the scandal broke this priest seemed to be totally arrogant and unapologetic for his adulterous affair and while placed on suspension instead of retreating in prayer and reflection on what he did, he was making the rounds on every Hispanic show possible.

Putting aside the adultery for a moment Fr. Cutie by openly flaunting and exploiting his affair created a separate sin of scandal for the Catholic Church a very grave and serious sin in and of itself and you can hardly five 100% of the blame to Ruhama Canellis for that.

For alot of women in life in general... it's always too easy to blame the woman and give the man a free pass. We all have responsibility to live up to that includes Fr. Cutie as well as Ruhama Canellis, neither one is an innocent victim here. I'm just not going to jump on the poor Fr. Cutie bandwagon...how dare that horrible seductress seduce a poor catholic priest.

Furthermore, another reason I have lost any respect I may have had for him; was without notifying Archbishop Favalora of the Archdiocese of Miami he decided to leave the Catholic Faith and become an Episcopalian, how can anyone, especially one of the Catholic Faith defend his behavior is beyond me.

I have met Fr. Cutie informally at the Church he was formerly the pastor of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in in Miami Beach. My Grandparents reside in Miami Beach and when I would occasionally visit them I would attend mass there, St. Patrick's or St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

This scandal as a practicing catholic has deeply saddened me... all Catholics should pray that all Catholic Clergy practice their faith and conduct themselves according to Catholic Canon Law.

MissUSA2009 and everyone please feel free to respond to my comment...My time is up and I thank you for yours...God Bless you all and God Bless America
--Catholic Mom

HI Catholic Mom, I said that it is the fault of both parties. If you search for my earlier post I mentioned the fault of Father Cutie. And then I posted the fault of the woman later. It is both their fault, there will be no relationship if both of them do not agree to have such.

And even now, Fr Cutie's actions speaks negatively of him. Why would he hastily leave the Catholic Church without consulting his superiors? It shows that he does not respect his superiors and the people around him. He only wants what's best for him.

What if he feels after months or years that the Episcopal Church is not best for him, will he just hastily leave this Church and move to another one? What if he feels like he doesn?t love the woman after several years, will he just hastily leave her?

[gaijin1994]

Give the guy a break. At least he is still respectable.
Looking back in history, his predicament really does seem quite tame.
Either way, it has no bearing on the Catholic faith itself. So as it is, so shall it be.
For those interested in doing some research. Please read the below.
Boniface VIII a bisexual, who had kept as bedfellows a married womena and her daughter, is quoted as saying that the sex act was "no more a sin than to rub your hands together". refer to N. Cawthorne: Sex lives of the Popes
-John XII-a bisexual pope who held orgies in the papal palace.
-Benedict IX-a homosexual pope who also enjoyed hosting orgies.
-Alexander VI-a bisexual pope who was not going to let his fun be spoiled just because he became pope after celibacy became mandatory. He fathered at least 8 children and had many male lovers.
-Julius III-a homosexual pope who respected his vow of celibacy, but had a male lover before taking that vow.

[CatholicMom]

MissUsa2009 has it half right, I will concur that Ruhama Canellis shares culpability but Fr. Cutie has the greater responsibility in this scandal and should not be given a free pass whatsoever. In scripture does it not say to whom more is given more will be expected? Fr. Cutie was given great responsibility as pastor of a church and he handled this all wrong from the beginning.

When he had discovered he had feelings for this women he came at a crossroads, he had a a few options he could have absorbed himself in prayer and asked for God's guidance asked for a leave of absence and reflected on his feelings, was this lust? Was it genuine love that he felt for this woman? If it was genuine love as it seems to be his claim as of present He should have quietly resigned as a catholic priest as discreetly as possible.

Instead he he openly flaunted his affair kissing on the beach and carried on this affair for an extended amount of time and from what I have read engaged in an adulterous affair while a catholic priest. Even after the scandal broke this priest seemed to be totally arrogant and unapologetic for his adulterous affair and while placed on suspension instead of retreating in prayer and reflection on what he did, he was making the rounds on every Hispanic show possible.

Putting aside the adultery for a moment Fr. Cutie by openly flaunting and exploiting his affair created a separate sin of scandal for the Catholic Church a very grave and serious sin in and of itself and you can hardly five 100% of the blame to Ruhama Canellis for that.

For alot of women in life in general... it's always too easy to blame the woman and give the man a free pass. We all have responsibility to live up to that includes Fr. Cutie as well as Ruhama Canellis, neither one is an innocent victim here. I'm just not going to jump on the poor Fr. Cutie bandwagon...how dare that horrible seductress seduce a poor catholic priest.

Furthermore, another reason I have lost any respect I may have had for him; was without notifying Archbishop Favalora of the Archdiocese of Miami he decided to leave the Catholic Faith and become an Episcopalian, how can anyone, especially one of the Catholic Faith defend his behavior is beyond me.

I have met Fr. Cutie informally at the Church he was formerly the pastor of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in in Miami Beach. My Grandparents reside in Miami Beach and when I would occasionally visit them I would attend mass there, St. Patrick's or St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

This scandal as a practicing catholic has deeply saddened me... all Catholics should pray that all Catholic Clergy practice their faith and conduct themselves according to Catholic Canon Law.

MissUSA2009 and everyone please feel free to respond to my comment...My time is up and I thank you for yours...God Bless you all and God Bless America
--Catholic Mom

[MissUSA2009]

Ruhama Canellis was the woman pictured in the magazine with Father Cutie. It was reported that this woman was married in 1994, divorced two years later and has a son. His son is now 14 years old. She was cited for operating a business without a license in 2000 and paid fines. It is evident that it is both Fr. Cutie's and Ruhama's fault. But I believe Ruhama could have played an important role in preventing this to happen. I pity such kind of woman who gets satisfaction in getting the sexual interest of priests. It is clear that this woman is sexually well experienced. She used this experience to attract the inexperienced priest. Father Cutie implied that she is the only person that he got sexual contact with. I guess, most men who get sexually aroused will have a hard time refusing to get sexual contact with a woman who is also willing to have sex. What is the real intention of this woman? Is it because of pride that she was able to get the attention of the priest? Is it because of true love? Whatever reason she has in mind, it is still a big sin on her part.
Posted by MissUSA2009 at 6:33 AM : May 13, 2009



I don't know Ms. Ruhama Canellis, but you better hope that everything that you are claiming is true, otherwise I hope Ms. Canellis can uncover who you are, and sue you for defamation of character! What a cheap shot......you are assuming an awful lot about another person!

If this affair is simply a case of a man not being able to resist a woman's temptation(Fr. Cutie' claims it is not) then that is certainly not saying much for a religion that has been around for 2000 years! It apparently hasn't been that successful in curbing men's desires, and teaching them restraint and respect. In fact, if all men were as you describe....perhaps we woman in the USA should play it safe and begin going around in burkas? LOL Whoa....I'm so outta here!
Posted by Solarrays247 at 2:30 PM : May 13, 2009

HI solarrays... I have nothing against you but I will reply to your comment.

If you search in google or yahoo, this name will appear as the woman with Father Cutie. This is not an assumption and this is based on a report. If you carefully read the first, second, third and fourth sentences you will realize that the information were taken from another source. Before you conclude that I assume a lot about another person, make sure that you understood what was written and do a little effort searching the net. What's worst is you already jumped to defamation of character. Pathetic.

As far as my opinion after the facts that I have stated, I am entitled to it. I have said in my opinion that both parties are at fault. But as I have said the woman has a big role in preventing this to happen. Wearing burkas is overacting. You are a woman as you have indicated. You don't have to totally cover yourself to send the signal that you are interested in a man. You don't have to cover yourself to send the signal that you are just being friendly. You don't have to cover yourself to send the signal that you are not interested at all with the man. It now depends on a man on how he will respond to this signal. It takes two to tango - and thus it is both their fault.

[Solarrays247]

Ruhama Canellis was the woman pictured in the magazine with Father Cutie. It was reported that this woman was married in 1994, divorced two years later and has a son. His son is now 14 years old. She was cited for operating a business without a license in 2000 and paid fines. It is evident that it is both Fr. Cutie's and Ruhama's fault. But I believe Ruhama could have played an important role in preventing this to happen. I pity such kind of woman who gets satisfaction in getting the sexual interest of priests. It is clear that this woman is sexually well experienced. She used this experience to attract the inexperienced priest. Father Cutie implied that she is the only person that he got sexual contact with. I guess, most men who get sexually aroused will have a hard time refusing to get sexual contact with a woman who is also willing to have sex. What is the real intention of this woman? Is it because of pride that she was able to get the attention of the priest? Is it because of true love? Whatever reason she has in mind, it is still a big sin on her part.
Posted by MissUSA2009 at 6:33 AM : May 13, 2009



I don't know Ms. Ruhama Canellis, but you better hope that everything that you are claiming is true, otherwise I hope Ms. Canellis can uncover who you are, and sue you for defamation of character! What a cheap shot......you are assuming an awful lot about another person!

If this affair is simply a case of a man not being able to resist a woman's temptation(Fr. Cutie' claims it is not) then that is certainly not saying much for a religion that has been around for 2000 years! It apparently hasn't been that successful in curbing men's desires, and teaching them restraint and respect. In fact, if all men were as you describe....perhaps we woman in the USA should play it safe and begin going around in burkas? LOL Whoa....I'm so outta here!

[stillwaters6]

TALK ABOUT YOUR ANGELS AND DEMONS REALITY SHOW...

KUDOS to Father Alberto for having sex with a grown woman as opposed to someone else's child!

The CATHOLIC church will protect a pedophile priest who damages a child for life (S.N.A.P.) but chastise a heterosexual priest with the possibility of creating some great looking kids of his own on this earth.

The movie ANGELS AND DEMONS has nothing on the pedophile cancer plaguing the Catholic Church today.

[voxpopulus]

Actually if you believe in God you'll believe he created Adam and Steve and everyone else too.