A Catholic Priest Known As " Father Oprah" Has Been Removed from His Post in Florida after Photos Showing Him Embracing a Woman on a Beach Were Published in a Tabloid.
Telegraph (United Kingdom)
May 7, 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5292168/Father-Oprah-removed-from-Miami-church-after-lover-revealed.html
Alberto Cutie, dubbed Father Oprah for the relationship advice he dispenses on Spanish-language radio and television programmes, remains a priest. But on Tuesday he was removed from his position as pastor at St Francis De Sales Church, in Miami Beach, Florida, and also relieved of his duties as a radio personality on Radio Paz and Radio Peace networks.
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| Ther front cover of TVnOTAS magazine shows 'Father Oprah' lying on the beach with his lover |
The Cuban-American priest's pastoral empire came crumbling down after photographs showing him lounging shirtless on a beach with a young brunette appeared on the cover of TV Notas under the headline "Good God! Father Alberto".
The behaviour of the priest, star of the long-running television talkshow Padre Alberto and author of "Real Life, Real Love" has sparked debates in southern Florida on celibacy and the Church.
In a message to parishioners published on the Miami archdiocese's website, John C. Favalora, the archbishop of Miami, apologised for what he called a "scandal".
"Father Cutie made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfil that promise with the help of God," the archbishop said, adding that Father Cutie's actions "cannot be condoned despite the good works he has done as a priest".
Father Cutie, 40, also issued an apology, saying that he was sorry if his actions had caused pain, but that his "service and dedication to God remain intact".
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