Archbishop was unaware Fr. Cutié planned to leave Catholic Church

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Archbishop John C. Favalora. Credit: Florida Catholic

Miami, Fla., May 28, 2009 / 05:42 pm (CNA).- Archbishop John C. Favalora of Miami made a statement on Thursday afternoon in which he revealed that he was kept in the dark about Fr. Alberto Cutié's decision to join the Episcopal Church. The archbishop also stressed that by his actions, Cutié has forfeited his rights as a cleric but is not dismissed from the promise of celibacy he freely made.

“I am genuinely disappointed by the announcement made earlier this afternoon by Father Alberto Cutié that he is joining the Episcopal Church,” Archbishop Favalora began.

The Archbishop of Miami then detailed the consequences of Fr. Cutié's action, saying that the priest had separated himself from the communion of the Roman Catholic Church “by professing erroneous faith and morals” and by “refusing submission to the Holy Father.” Father Cutié will no longer be allowed to legitimately celebrate the sacraments in the Archdiocese of Miami, and he cannot preach or teach on Catholic faith and morals. “His actions could lead to his dismissal from the clerical state,” the archbishop stated.

Despite his decision to leave the Catholic Church, Archbishop Favalora pointed out that “Father Cutié is still bound by his promise to live a celibate life, which he freely embraced at ordination.”

“Only the Holy Father can release him from that obligation,” he explained.

The archbishop also addressed the impact of Fr. Cutié's actions on the faithful of the archdiocese.

“Catholic faithful of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Radio Paz and the entire Archdiocese of Miami, I again say that Father Cutié’s actions cannot be justified, despite his good works as a priest (statement of May 5, 2009). This is all the more true in light of today’s announcement. Father Cutié may have abandoned the Catholic Church; he may have abandoned you. But I tell you that the Catholic Church will never abandon you; the Archdiocese of Miami is here for you.”

“Father Cutié’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,” said Archbishop Favalora.

The head of the Catholic Church in Miami explained that when he met with Father Cutié on May 5th, “he requested and I granted a leave of absence from the exercise of the priesthood,” a request that was granted.

However, since that meeting, the archbishop informed, “I have not heard from Father Cutié nor has he requested to meet with me. He has never told me that he was considering joining the Episcopal Church.”

Adding salt to the wound was the fact that Episcopal Bishop Leo Frade of Southeast Florida also never spoke with Archbishop Favalora about the situation.

“Bishop Frade has never spoken to me about his position on this delicate matter or what actions he was contemplating. I have only heard from him through the local media,” the Catholic prelate stated.

The event has also caused a “serious setback for ecumenical relations and cooperation” between the Catholic and Episcopal churches, Archbishop Favalora charged.

He also noted that the “Archdiocese of Miami has never made a public display when for doctrinal reasons Episcopal priests have joined the Catholic Church and sought ordination. In fact, to do so would violate the principles of the Catholic Church governing ecumenical relations.

“I regret that Bishop Frade has not afforded me or the Catholic community the same courtesy and respect.”

Referencing the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the archbishop told his fellow Catholics that, “If our brother comes home, let us celebrate with the Father.”

The Archbishop of Miami finished by commending “the priests of the Archdiocese of Miami and all priests who faithfully live and fulfill their promise of celibacy.”

“In our times so pre-occupied with sex, the gift of celibacy is all the more a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven where, as scripture says, there will be 'no marrying or giving in marriage.' I encourage all Catholics to pray for and support our dedicated priests,” he said.

To read the full statement by Archbishop Favalora, please visit: http://www.miamiarchdiocese.org/ip.asp?op=H1000090528ACE

Comments: 20

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Emily
Livermore CA USA 06/21/2009 05:18 PM EST

God bless the Catholic archbishop of Miami for giving such a loving and measured statement while at the same time sticking to the truths of the glorious Catholic faith. I was talking to a Catholic last night who said he does not accept the Church teaching on contraception or homosexual activity. I said you'd make a perfect Episcopalian - they have no rules either!

Published by: angus
san francisco 06/02/2009 07:31 AM EST

The Roman Catholic church really has only itself to blame for the poor state of ecumenical relations. Recent statements emanating from the Vatican have denigrated the Episcopal and other Christian churches which it diminshes as mere “ecclesial communities”. It has abandonned the direction of Vatican 2 and its dominionist veiws are coming into closer focus especailly here in California in the Catholic church’s recent successful attempt to undermine the equal protection clause of the Constitution. In showing the little grasp it has of coexsisting in a pluralistic society it has bumped into the remergence of the new evangelization and realignment of the Episcopal church.
This arrogance is aptly demonstrated in the statements of the Archbishop of Miami and many of these comments which display a vile prejudice and incoherent understanding of history as well as the present situation.

Published by: Dr. Margaret Zabiega
Illinois 05/30/2009 04:17 PM EST

I can only be glad that such a priest left the Catholic Church, he should have been kicked out. I am surprised that anyone will want him serving in their parish, with such a display of affection for "a woman he loves". He broke the Holy Sacraments and I am sure once he gets older, he will extremely scared to die, unless he sold his soul to the devil. He wants to be popular, let him be. I at least am very proud of being a Catholic, we should not give in to the public opinion (which is mostly false ) just so we can keep our parishiners in our parishes. For example, let us give in to abortion, because we can lose "money for the parishes" . It is true the devil is everywhere. I wonder what those of us and myself would do, when we are at the Judgement Day, when we are asked to look at ourselves and our sins. Good luck Mr. Cutie, you have about 40 more years of bliss left.

Published by: Nathan
Washington, DC 05/30/2009 11:37 AM EST

The Roman Catholic Church is the keeper and the defender of the true Faith - as Christ himself established through St. Peter described in the Bible.

Mr. Cutie rejected not only the sacrament of Holy Orders, but Holy Mother Church. It took a cameraman in the bushes to catch him. He joined the Episcopals (a sect established because the King wanted to divorce his wife and the Catholic Church said no) so that he could have his cake and eat it too -- no priestly sacrifice, no humility, no remorse, no attempt to be laicised.

If a priest can't fulfill his vows of celibacy -- it is not the Church that changes its 2000 yr commitment to accommodate the relativistic and whimsical views of today's society. Those come and go. The Church remains ever constant, as it has on celibacy, Holy Orders, and the male priesthood (which comes to us through the decision Jesus himself made of the 12).

Published by: frjimt
pocono pines,pa 05/29/2009 06:37 PM EST

so he couldn't keep his vow and kept his relationship under wraps until it was unwrapped for him and then he jumps overboard for "love."

funny, he left the church to belong to a denomination that "welcomes all"......believing in nothing so that it'll fall for anything.

Published by: Lis
Maryland 05/29/2009 04:00 PM EST

I second the poster Geo.
Is there anyone in the Episcopal Church who isn't scandalized by this?
If Father had been a married Protestant minister, had an openly adulterous affair, would anything be said then?

Published by: NMC
Philly, PA 05/29/2009 03:53 PM EST

Father Raphael, why pray tell did you not address your concerns to the Archbishop privately, as you suggest he do? Is that not your responsibility as a fellow priest? Are you even a fellow priest?
Your work seems to be written by two hands.

Published by: NMC
Philly, PA 05/29/2009 03:47 PM EST

Cutie should be called what he is: Protestant. A man who follows his own pride to his spiritual destruction. May God have mercy...

Published by: E.D.
U.S.A. 05/29/2009 12:51 PM EST

And I'm sure the media will be interviewing the thousands of Catholic priests who have remained faithful to their vow of celibacy as a follow-up...

Published by: MJ Noel
Rockledge 05/29/2009 12:03 PM EST

In all of the news generated by Fr. Cutie, one of the operative words is "promise" as opposed to the "vows" he took at ordination. I think the gravity of the situation is being minimalized by manipulating the vocabulary.

Published by: francis
blissfield mi usa 05/29/2009 10:10 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Good for him - the RC Church is so dysfunctional and refuses to acknowlege its outdated unreasonableness.

Published by: Geo
Washington DC 05/29/2009 10:04 AM EST

Why would the Episcopal communion want a man who would so cavalierly walk away from a solemn vow; whose word is essentially meaningless? But then again, this points out the theological and moral vacuity of the Episcopal communion.

Published by: Rafael
Miami, FL, US 05/29/2009 08:36 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

As a member of the archdiocese of Miami and as someone who has confessed to and heard Father Alberto give Mass, I am Truly hurt by his actions. Everyone has a calling. Howevever, Cutie is choosing selfishness. Not because he wants to be with a women but because he has betrayed his Catholic faith, the one he so earnestly defended. We all sin. All of us. But to leave the faith which you vowed to defend. To reject the Pope who is the VICAR OF CHRIST and the faith and teachings of the Holy Mother Church is HERESY. He is only doing this because he wants to be with a women who might very well leave him one day. He could of requested permission from Rome so that he may be removed from the clerical state. He could have become a deacon. He could have become a CATHOLIC spiritual leader and still not reject the Church. He has always loved the lime light and this only proves it. Has he helped people? yes very much so but by this SCANDAL which he could have kept private and not given interviews (by which he was paid a LOT of money), he has led faithful astray. I have and will continue to pray for him. God Bless the Holy Catholic Church. St. Michael protect us, Mary pray for us, Jesus Save us.

Published by: Sarah
Toronto, Canada 05/28/2009 11:01 PM EST

So, he would rather join with a church that was founded on adultery (Episcopalians are Anglicans and the Anglican church was formed when King Henry VIII decided to commit adultery and couldn't remarry in the Catholic church) than be a priest of God in the true church! May God have mercy on his soul!

Published by: Robert Matzinger
Taylor/Michigan/USA 05/28/2009 09:32 PM EST

We may never understand how or why Father Cutie turned his back upon his Catholic faith and beliefs and teachings of the church, but he did. We should pray for him and wish him well, but he is no longer a Catholic.

Published by: Jose Jorrin
Miramar, FL 05/28/2009 09:09 PM EST

In my opinion, Fr. Cutie is too confused at this moment to take correct and lasting decissions. He must be torn between his priestly vocation and his love for a woman.
Let us pray for both.

The actitude of Bishop Frade, however, does not surprise me. The Episcopal church speaks in favor of Ecumenism, but in actions, it has created serious divisions among themselves by ordeining women to the priesthood, and a homosexual to the episcopate.

Published by: His Prince Michael
Avon, CO 05/28/2009 08:58 PM EST

Despite the precarious and somewhat disturbing situation, Archbishop Favalora
responded with a beautifully poignant and dignified statement. ALL, for The Greater Glory of God.

Published by: Father Raphael
New York 05/28/2009 08:33 PM EST

Rate: Regular

How intentionally uncharitable that the archbishop of Miami would publish such a manipulative and un-Christlike statement and to assume (and publicly insinuate) that Father Cutie "abandoned" the people. We are all God's children. We are all God's people: Episcopal, Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist, believer and unbeliever. I understand why Father Cutie would discern and choose to leave the Roman Catholic Church with this type of attempted, intentional, public humiliation on the part of his archbishop. Why did you not go to see Father Cutie and minister to him as any shepherd would? It is a shame you did not seek him out. It is not just about "sex" beloved, Archbishop, but about being in love with another human being... something you obviously know nothing about. Let us respect Father Cutie's personal choice and wish him God's abundant blessings on his new journey. There is no need to be angry and judgmental. The archbishop of Miami's further attempt to humiliate and discredit Father Cutie shows just how cruel, manipulative and insensitive the Archbishop of Miami really is. He supposed to be a shepherd in Jesus Christ's image, not a vindictive, petty, vengeful ecclesiastical bureaucrat trying to instill fear, suspicion, and hatred in Miami. Shame on you, John. Shame.

Published by: David
San Antonio, TX 05/28/2009 07:55 PM EST

Wow, that's bizarre that Cutié would just convert like that and make it a public spectacle, particularly due to the very real doctrinal differences. The secular media is of course framing this as a celibacy issue, which is ridiculous. All unmarried Catholics are called to be celibate. This is a much bigger issue that reeks of what C.S. Lewis called the "Poison of Subjectivism." This is an issue of commitment, obedience, authority. It will be interesting to see how he deals with gay marriage, birth control and even abortion since all those are not necessarily considered sinful depending on which particular Episcopal Church they'll belong. Anyway......"if not for God's grace there go I"

Published by: Walker
Miami, FL 05/28/2009 06:16 PM EST

Rate: Regular

I think the Catholic Church needs to wake up and realize that this un-Biblical vow is the root cause of our shortage of priests. Viva Padre Cutie!

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