Priest In Racy Photos: I Had Sex With Her

Father Alberto Cutié Tells Maggie Rodriguez Breaking His Vows Was Wrong; Celibacy Should Be Optional; He May Marry The Woman

(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."

[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.

[tommynutz]

When did Ben Affleck become a priest?

[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.

[Iamnotasheep]

haha, i'd like to see the look on a priest's face if they saw that you called catholicism a pagan religion. :) though i agree, seeing as how they stole all the rituals except sacrifices and the other things they deemed "barbaric" and "unholy", but most catholics wouldn't know that since catholics condemned paganism.

2. I don't think there is any need to bring up homosexuality with celibacy. It's isn't something you can compare as not making sense because it's something that just IS. It occurs in nature as does the desire men and women have for each other.
Celibacy is a CHOICE and it doesn't make sense because why would someone choose to torture their selves? THAT doesn't make sense. But homosexuality, no one chooses to be ridiculed or hurt because of it, they are what they are.

[ericrt]

First of all, this "priest" is of a Pagan Religion. What pagans do is seek power and control over those that do not know the truth. It is no serious thing if a pagan breaks the rules of that society. The only rules that count, are those that make sense. Two things here do not make sense. 1. homosexual behavior, and 2. celebacy. If you can tell me what the real purpose of these two are, maybe there can be a real discussion on the subject. Until that is completed, the whole thing is a fart in a windstorm.

[bigsk8fan]

the catholic church did not even require celibacy for the first 900 years. so let's change this mistake now.

[Iamnotasheep]

I think that the celibacy rule for priests is a dumb rule. It makes it harder for them to focus on the more important parts of their faith because they are always going to have the urges and are going to struggle with it. Hell most priests do WORSE than hook up with consenting female adults, they molest children for crying out loud!! So let them have girlfriends and wives like pastors do it will stop all of that crap.

God made men and woman for a reason, and one is to procreate if it was wrong for even priests to have a partner and procreate they wouldn't be born with the parts and we'd all know from their birth who would be priests. This is always going to be an argument because the celibacy rule should not exist. Stupid prudes for making that rule up.

Once the catholic church realizes it and changes it all will be better... but not really because the catholic church is one of the biggest plagues on this earth, but whatever.

[spaceatoms]

And now he is going on the interview trail, piling up endorsement money and a state of celebrity, and looks all happy about it; he acted like an animal and there is nothing wrong with that, maybe with all "the computers" we tend to think everything can be perfect; and now for the potion Dr. Jeckyll, speaking now Mr. E Hyde, "this is totally absurd, ruining the church and the thousands of years of tradition" and now the potion wears off, now for the next question, "what did you have for lunch the day you found out", I had a submarine sandwhich and enjoyed a glass of red wine! Ok well maybe you should meet Manny someday and get an estrogen shot, yea I thought about it to make more money with a bailout on Wall Street,..

[mejordelahistoria]

at first I judged father alberto as a hypocrite but now I have more respect for this man for standing up. Thank you for being honest. This is a true man of god.

[ncbound1964]

If he is a Godly man who both loves someone, and also wishes to serve God, there
are many that do. There are pastors in many different other church families that are
married. I'm sure that where ever he may serve many parishioners would "follow".
If his message is biblical, it would be a shame not for him to continue to lead.

[rushlimpdrug]

More proof that God created

Adam and Eve and not

Adam and Steve.

[Greeneyes63]

Listen folks, God created MAN & WOMAN okay. Jesus was the only man that stayed pure. I mean let's be real, the man is human, he is going to have desires, God created him for God sake (no pun intended) and please stop saying he sinned. No he did not....I think every priest should have the choice to marry or date. It's okay in my book.