Popular Latino Priest Caught In Sex Scandal

[VoTeckam]

[url="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/11/florida.priest.affair/index.html"]http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/11/florida.p...fair/index.html[/url]


MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- An internationally known Catholic priest who was shown in photographs last week embracing a bathing-suit-clad woman on a Florida beach has admitted they had a two-year affair.

The Rev. Alberto Cutie -- sometimes called "Father Oprah" because of the advice he gave on Spanish-language media -- said Monday on CBS' "Early Show" that he is in love with the woman and is considering his options: Whether to break up with her or leave the priesthood and marry her. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, wants to get married, Cutie said.

The priest was removed from his duties last week at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach, Florida, and on the Radio Paz and Radio Peace networks.

"I take full responsibility for what I did, and I know it's wrong," he said Monday.

The photos of the Cuban-American priest, also known as "Padre Alberto," appeared on the cover of last week's TV Notas magazine and on eight inside pages. The cover says in Spanish: "Good God! Padre Alberto. First photos of a priest 'in flagrante' with his lover."

Other media outlets throughout Latin America, including the official Notimex news agency in Mexico, picked up the story, and it became an Internet sensation. Cutie has millions of followers in the Spanish-speaking world.

In a message posted on the Miami, Florida, archdiocese Web page last week, Archbishop John C. Favalora apologized to parishioners and radio listeners for what he called a "scandal."

"Father Cutie made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God," Favalora said. "Father Cutie's actions cannot be condoned despite the good works he has done as a priest."

Cutie expressed his regret in an online statement last week and again Monday on the CBS program.

"I deeply apologize to the Catholic community and especially to my bishop and to my brother priests who are faithful and who are committed to celibacy," Cutie said.

The priest said he believes in celibacy but thinks it should be optional. He said he had never had a sexual relationship with anyone other than the woman since leaving the seminary 15 years ago.

"I don't support the breaking of the celibacy promise," Cutie said. "I understand fully that this is wrong.

"I don't want to be the anti-celibacy priest. I think that's unfortunate," he said. "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."

He also talked about the woman, saying they have been friends for a long time and the attraction was there from early on, but it was not acted on until a couple of years ago. They have "both struggled" with the relationship, he said.

"She's also a woman of faith," Cutie said. "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."

Cutie was the first Catholic priest to host a daily talk show on a major secular television network, his information on the LinkedIn online professional network says.

In addition to his TV and radio appearances, he has written newspaper advice columns and a self-help book, "Real Life, Real Love."

Before being removed, he was president and general director of Pax Catholic Communications, home of Radio Paz and Radio Peace in Miami.

[ariaane]

I’ve been keeping this in for too long, but I have to let it out:

Fr Cutie is [b]HOTT[/b]! (Can I say that about a priest?... Well hey, he isn't an [i]active[/i] priest for the meanwhile)

I find his name [b]“Cutie” [/b]to be quite coincidental too.


[clears throat]

Now, moving onto him breaking his vows of celibacy, I do think its sad that he couldn’t keep to it, and in fact broke his vows on a public beach frolicking around with a scantily clad woman.

The scandal!

However, some critics have rightfully brought up how his diocese has been so quick to suspend him but did not act in such haste to remove child molesting priests.

Such critics seem to have a point...

[piano_freak184]

[quote name='ariaane' post='1864281' date='May 11 2009, 03:53 PM']I’ve been keeping this in for too long, but I have to let it out:

Fr Cutie is [b]HOTT[/b]! (Can I say that about a priest?... Well hey, he isn't an [i]active[/i] priest for the meanwhile)

I find his name [b]“Cutie” [/b]to be quite coincidental too.


[clears throat]

Now, moving onto him breaking his vows of celibacy, I do think its sad that he couldn’t keep to it, and in fact broke his vows on a public beach frolicking around with a scantily clad woman.

The scandal!

However, some critics have rightfully brought up how his diocese has been so quick to suspend him but did not act in such haste to remove child molesting priests.

Such critics seem to have a point...[/quote]

Yeah, but it's kind of upsetting that he "lied" about it. When you become a preist, you KNOW that even if you fall in love with someone, you can't do anything about it. It's totally wrong that he went behind the "brotherhood's" back and did that with a woman. But I agree, I wish they were alot faster in removing the child molesters...

[Guest]

[quote name='ariaane' post='1864281' date='May 11 2009, 03:53 PM']However, some critics have rightfully brought up how his diocese has been so quick to suspend him but did not act in such haste to remove child molesting priests.[/quote]

good point.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Guest

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='piano_freak184' post='1864284' date='May 11 2009, 05:01 PM']But I agree, I wish they were alot faster in removing the child molesters...[/quote]
Ok, this thing with the child molesters... you must remember many times that good bishops for the longest time were told by reputable certified shrinks that these people simply "needed a new start, were cured, it wouldn't happen again, it was due to stress- releive the stress on they would be ok" etc. and to move them to a new parish. Some of it was intentionally criminal - but much of it was not.
Also remember it was the policy of every public and private school when discovering a compromised teacher to do EXACTLY the same thing - hush it up and transfer to another district.
So lets stop throwing stones at the church for doing what they were suggested to do by competant professionals.

[CatherineM]

Also, sometimes they only found out in confession. That is a hard place to be.

Instead of saying "why didn't they," let's be thankful that it appears we have learned our lesson, and these kinds of things can be dealt with quickly.

[VoTeckam]

I am personally thankful that this priest has decided to deal with the situation going public with some honor. I remember while back there was apriest in Austria who had a mitress and his response was deplorable.

[The Bus Station]

Prayers for Fr. Alberto and the woman involved.

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='ariaane' post='1864281' date='May 11 2009, 03:53 PM']...

However, some critics have rightfully brought up how his diocese has been so quick to suspend him but did not act in such haste to remove child molesting priests.

Such critics seem to have a point...[/quote]

Also with this case we have photographs and clear evidence. A lot of times with sex abuse cases, it was mostly testimony from the victim.

The priest got photos taken of him.....that's pretty clear evidence. What do you do about a priests who has just been accused? Is there clear evidence in that case? If it goes to court, it takes awhile for a ruling. Now some accused priests, the diocese just made quick settlement and tried to move on.

So these two situations are different in terms of evidence. I'm not saying the Church is innocent of everything.....many situations were mishandled however you have to admit this case of the priests breaking his vow has more evidence than just testimony.


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[ariaane]

Just so we know who we’re all talking about. But not for aesthetic reasons ....

[url="http://thumb-0.tangle.com/e1/photoa/271712/5f402583ac12562.jpg"]http://thumb-0.tangle.com/e1/photoa/271712...2583ac12562.jpg[/url]

Edited May 11, 2009 by ariaane

[Guest]

[quote name='ariaane' post='1864315' date='May 11 2009, 04:44 PM']Just so we know who we’re all talking about. But not for aesthetic reasons ....

[url="http://thumb-0.tangle.com/e1/photoa/271712/5f402583ac12562.jpg"]http://thumb-0.tangle.com/e1/photoa/271712...2583ac12562.jpg[/url][/quote]

omg he is so dreamy !!!!

[kavalamyself]

He is soooooo lovely and cute. I hope he makes his way back to the pulpit. I am praying for his vocation as a priest. Everyone falls once in a while.

[ariaane]

[quote name='Delivery Boy' post='1864320' date='May 11 2009, 10:48 PM']omg he is so dreamy !!!![/quote]

[quote name='kavalamyself' post='1864339' date='May 11 2009, 11:11 PM']He is soooooo lovely and cute. I hope he makes his way back to the pulpit. I am praying for his vocation as a priest. Everyone falls once in a while.[/quote]

[url="http://%20<a%20href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178344-04D9031F000005DC-330_468x324.jpg"%20target="_blank">http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/...330_468x324.jpg</a>"] [url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178344-04D9031F000005DC-330_468x324.jpg"]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/...330_468x324.jpg[/url][/url]

And here is an image of him with a broody look. beaver dam!

And last but not least

[url="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/Padre01.jpg%20277%C3%97258%20pixels.jpg"]http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/Pad...58%20pixels.jpg[/url]

If he was my local pastor, I’d clear my diary so I could attend mass [b]daily[/b].

[Seven77]

maybe as a monk

[ariaane]

[quote name='piano_freak184' post='1864284' date='May 11 2009, 10:01 PM']Yeah, but it's kind of upsetting that he "lied" about it. When you become a preist, you KNOW that even if you fall in love with someone, you can't do anything about it. It's totally wrong that he went behind the "brotherhood's" back and did that with a woman. But I agree, I wish they were alot faster in removing the child molesters...[/quote]

To be honest, I think this sort of thing goes on quite [i]a bit[/i] in the priesthood.

Fr Cutie is a hottie and he probably had stacks of women pestering him and tempting him to fall. Not to mention that he was based in Miami, the place where women practically strut around in bikinis.

Which brings to mind the [b]Pope[/b] who fathered illegitimate children a few centuries back...

[dominicansoul]

i remember when i first met Fr. Cutie, I thought that he was too handsome to be a priest. I say this with all due respect. I'm not saying that only unattractive people should enter the religious life. I'm saying that for those who are obviously blessed with extraordinary good lucks, it may be a whole lot tougher to fight the temptations that will surely come their way.

I watched his interview this morning on CBS, and although I was happy that he wasn't condemning celibacy of the priesthood, I was sad that he is actually thinking of leaving the Catholic Faith all together in order to pursue a relationship that will only give him pleasure in this life. He definitely needs our prayers. I find it sad, that a priest is given [i]10 years to discern if they should take vows and get ordained into the celibate life[/i]. If he has struggled so much, as he admitted this morning on the television new show, why did his superiors ever allow him to take the plunge and get ordained?

I just shake my head in disbelief over all this. You know what I think? I think Mother Superiors need to teach male clerics how it's done. In the last 10 years there is hardly any scandal associated with religious sisters. Maybe because most of the Mother Superiors I have known aren't afraid to drop the gauntlet where they need to, and get tough with those who they see obviously have no vocation...

[ariaane]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1864290' date='May 11 2009, 10:08 PM']Ok, this thing with the child molesters... you must remember many times that good bishops for the longest time were told by reputable certified shrinks that these people simply "needed a new start, were cured, it wouldn't happen again, it was due to stress- releive the stress on they would be ok" etc. and to move them to a new parish. Some of it was intentionally criminal - but much of it was not.[/quote]

Oh, I agree. This certainly did occur with secular shrinks.

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1864290' date='May 11 2009, 10:08 PM']Also remember it was the policy of every public and private school when discovering a compromised teacher to do EXACTLY the same thing - hush it up and transfer to another district.
So lets stop throwing stones at the church for doing what they were suggested to do by competant professionals.[/quote]

This is something I have brought up repeatedly on other forums. No more than 4% of priests were guilty of molesting children, but the occurrence of child abuse is much more prevalent within schools than it is by a priest.

There is also a statue of limitations which limits the time that a student can make a complaint about an abusing teacher.

No statute of limitations exists for people who wish to make a complaint of sexual abuse against a priest. That means that people can allege a complaint of sexual abuse against a priest that took place 50 years ago. I think the timeframe within schools is about a year (or less).

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='ariaane' post='1864364' date='May 11 2009, 05:39 PM']To be honest, I think this sort of thing goes on quite [i]a bit[/i] in the priesthood.

Fr Cutie is a hottie and he probably had stacks of women pestering him and tempting him to fall. Not to mention that he was based in Miami, the place where women practically strut around in bikinis.

Which brings to mind the [b]Pope[/b] who fathered illegitimate children a few centuries back...[/quote]

I think it was more than a few centuries back. There were a couple popes who who ......less than decent. However that is another thread. Not sure your point in bringing this up.

This is hardly a big problem though in perspective. Think of how many priests who do remain faithful to their vows. You hear all this media on a few bad cases and what is ignored is the priests, sisters, and brothers who do remain faithful to their vows.

Not sure what your main point is.

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[Guest]

I dont think a priest should be thrown under the bus if they fall and have some sort of relationship with a woman. Ya it's wrong and breaking their vow but they should get to go to confession like everybody else and it should be over with. In my opinon.

[CatherineM]

I'm not sure it is appropriate to discuss how sexually attractive a member of our ordained clergy is. I certainly wouldn't publicly discuss my feelings of lust for a priest.