Controversial priest Father Alberto Cutie joins the Episcopal Church

Padre Alberto Cutie also known as Father Oprah joins the Episcopal Church

Controversial priest Rev. Alberto Cutié, a former Roman Catholic priest known internationally as “Padre Alberto” on Spanish-language radio and television, was received into the Episcopal Church May 28 during a ceremony held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami.

In a press release from the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, Father Alberto Cutie thank all those who supported him:

“I thank God for the many people in our community who have shown me their love and support. 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.”

Padre Alberto Cutié became controversial when photos of him and girlfriend Ruhama Buni Canellis kissing on a beach were published in early May by a Spanish-language magazine. Because of celibacy, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami subsequently removed Cutié from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where he was priest-in-charge.

Padre Alberto Cutié also served as general director and president of Pax Catholic Communications, a multimedia operation of the archdiocese. The Episcopal diocese said in a press release that Cutié, after a two-year discernment process, decided to begin his ministry and the path to priesthood within the Episcopal Church.

“We welcome Father Alberto into the ministry of the Episcopal Church,” said Bishop Leo Frade of the Diocese of Southeast Florida in a news release. “Our ministry has centered on spiritual growth, love, forgiveness, and a sense of community. Guided by a spirit of fellowship and understanding, the Episcopal Church remains a beacon of hope and faith for all.”

The diocese has hired Cutié to work on a diocesan initiative to provide emergency responses to Episcopal churches in urgent need and on diocesan revitalization projects. Cutié will preach on Sunday, May 31, at Church of Resurrection, in Biscayne, Florida

Father Alberto Cutié, also known as Father Oprah said after joining the Episcopal Church that he is planning to marry his girlfriend of two years, who was also becoming an Episcopalian.