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  Woman in Pictures with Father Albert Is Identified
Demonstration for Father Alberto Cutié Turns Violent When Counter-Demonstrator Shows up
Mother of Popular Priest Is Honored As a " Mother of the Year" by the Cuban American National Council

By Peter D'Oench
CBS 4
May 7, 2009

http://cbs4.com/local/Father.Alberto.Cutie.2.1003542.html

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ? Thursday night, neighbors identified the woman seen in the controversial photos with Father Albert Cutie as Ruhama Canellis Thursday night. Canellis rushed into an awaiting pickup truck to avoid news crews waiting outside her Miami Beach apartment building.

Juana Gomez lives in Canellis's building and knows Father Albert. She had no idea her neighbor had any kind of relationship with him. CBS4 Reporter Natalia Zea asked Gomez, "Have you every seen the Priest here?"

Gomez responded, "No, no, and I know him personally, but I have never seen him here."

Zea said, "Does it surprise you to hear that's the same one?"

This is the cover of the TV Notas Magazine featuring the controversial pictures of Father Alberto Cutie hugging and kissing a woman.

Juana responded, "Of course! Strange first of all because it's a priest."

Earlier in the day a show of support for embattled, popular priest turned violent when a counter demonstrator showed up at the protest Thursday morning.

Dozens of current and former parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Church and friends of Cutie held up signs and chanted, "We love you Alberto." Others said, "Admire, Respect and Forgive Father Albert." But there was no love for a man with a difference of opinion. They started shouting at Jose Soler when he showed up at the church and told a radio reporter that the Archdiocese of Miami had made a wise decision in relieving Cutie of his duties at the church and with the catholic radio station.

Provocative photos in just-released TV NOTAS Magazine show Father Cutie and an unidentified woman locked in loving embraces on a beach. They are seen kissing and caressing each other.

Soler was slapped on the side of the head and knocked down. Police were called and a Miami Beach officer had to escort him away. Before he left, he said, "The preacher has to set a good example. I don't talk trash. This is what I feel."

Among the demonstrators, Mary Ann McIlraith said, "There are many people who support Father Cutie for what he has done over the years. He has touched many people."

Patty Colosimo said, "The father has been great for the community. I think it's a different century. It's time for a change."

Colosimo was referring to the vow of celibacy that Catholic Priests have to make. Celibacy is not required of Protestant priests, and the Bishop of the Episcopal Church here in South Florida has said that Cutie would be welcome to join his flock of Episcopalians.

Juan Soler was met with opposition after he expressed that Father Albert Cutie should be punished.

Another unidentified demonstrator said, "I just think it's absurd to demonize a man for behaving so naturally. I think the Catholic Church is behind the times."

Another demonstrator, Maria Helleler, said Cutie was a "great man" and she said of the unidentified woman in the photos in TV NOTAS Magazine, "She has no manners. She has no scruples."

Father Cutie has kept a very low profile since the photos were published. He was expected to attend the 2009 Mothers of the Year Award Luncheon at Jungle Island, hosted by the Cuban American National Council. Cutie's mother, Yolanda, who has three children, was one of 10 mothers honored. And while other mothers had numerous accomplishments, she was the only one to receive a standing ovation, a sign of support for her son as well.

Yolanda Cutie told a packed room that she appreciated the love shown her son in the past few days. And the Mistress of Ceremonies, Channel 23 anchorwoman, Alina Mayo Azze, read a statement she had received from Cutie. She said Cutie said, "My mother's the most spectacular person in the world." She announced that Cutie said his mother showed him what it was like to love God, and he said he too appreciated the support.

The identity of the woman in the photos is a mystery. Her face appears clearly in several of the 25 photos in the 8-page spread. The most shocking picture shows Father Cutie putting his hand down her bathing suit and touching her buttocks. A reporter for our news partner at El Nuevo Herald spoke with Father Cutie by telephone and asked about rumors that the woman is Colombian and whether she was a parishioner.

But the reporter said Father Cutie told him he did not want to discuss the identity of the woman. Meanwhile, we have learned the identity of the paparazzo who took the photos. That photographer has refused CBS4's requests for an interview.

Father Cutie has not been seen at his former church and is taking a leave. His future with the church is not clear.

Cutie has been seen worldwide on Spanish-language TV shows and has been the voice of Radio Paz and Radio Peace in Miami. But he was quickly relieved of his duties on Tuesday, running his Catholic church and the Catholic radio station of the Archdiocese of Miami.

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

On Tuesday, Archdiocese spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta said Cutie would no longer be administrator of the St. Francis de Sales parish on Miami Beach and will no longer the Catholic radio station, Radio peace and Radio Paz.

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

She said Cutie had been traveling and would now "do what he had to do." 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 Cutie 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 is the son of Cuban parents. He grew up in Miami and attended Southwest High School.

On Tuesday, Archbishop John Favalora said, "I am deeply saddened by the news surrounding Father Cutie. I apologize on behalf of the church in Miami to the parishioners of St. 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 Cutie made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God. Father Cutie's actions can not be condoned despite the good works he has done as priest."

Father Cutie released his own statement on Tuesday, saying, "Before God full of love and mercy, I ask the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions. The commitment I made to serve God will remain intact. I am grateful for the love and support I have received from so many in our community."

 
 

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