`Father OprahâÂ?Â? leaves for Episcopal Church; plans to marry

(UNDATED) The celebrity Miami priest known as “Father Oprah” converted from Catholicism to the Episcopal Church on Thursday (May 28), weeks after pictures surfaced of the cleric canoodling with his girlfriend on a Florida beach. The Rev. Alberto Cutie and his girlfriend were received into the Episcopal Church at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami on […]

(UNDATED) The celebrity Miami priest known as “Father Oprah” converted from Catholicism to the Episcopal Church on Thursday (May 28), weeks after pictures surfaced of the cleric canoodling with his girlfriend on a Florida beach.

The Rev. Alberto Cutie and his girlfriend were received into the Episcopal Church at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami on Thursday, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida.

Unlike Catholic clerics, Episcopal priests are allowed to marry, and Cutie, 40, plans to wed his girlfriend and pursue ordination in the Episcopal Church, according to the diocese.


The diocese said Thursday’s ceremony culminates a “two year discernment process” for Cutie, indicating that he had considered converting long before photos revealing his relationship with the woman were published by Spanish-language media earlier this month.

“I thank God for the many people in our community who have shown me their love and support,” Cutie said in a statement Thursday. “Your prayers have truly sustained me at this time of transition in my life. With God’s help, I hope to continue priestly ministry and service in my new spiritual home.”

“We welcome Father Alberto into the ministry of the Episcopal Church,” said Episcopal Bishop Leo Frade. “We believe Father Alberto has much to offer those in our church.”

The Catholic archbishop of Miami, John Favalora, said he was “genuinely disappointed” by Cutie’s announcement and that only Pope Benedict XVI can release the priest from his vows of celibacy.

“Cutie’s actions have caused grave scandal within the Catholic Church, harmed the Archdiocese of Miami — especially our priests — and led to division within the ecumenical community and the community at large. Today’s announcement only deepens those wounds,” Favalora said in a statement.

Favalora also expressed his “sincere disappointment” in Frade, charging the Episcopal bishop with breaking ecumenical protocol for not talking to him about Cutie and making a “public display” of the conversion.


“This truly is a serious setback for ecumenical relations and cooperation between us,” Favalora said. “The Archdiocese of Miami has never made a public display when, for doctrinal reasons, Episcopal priests have joined the Catholic Church and sought ordination. … I regret that Bishop Frade has not afforded me or the Catholic community the same courtesy and respect.”

Cutie will preach May 31 at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Biscayne Park, according to the Episcopal diocese.

A popular figure in Southeast Florida, Cutie was known as “Father Oprah,” for his cultural influence and media savvy. Millions tuned in to his television show, “Padre Alberto,” and the other talk shows he hosted on television and radio.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!