Priest Quits Catholic Church in Wake of Scandal

The severe and strict life of a Catholic priest was not what Father Alberto Cutie wanted, and on Thursday, the popular religious leader announced he was leaving the Roman Catholic Church to become Episcopalian. The 40-year-old Cuban-American was photographed earlier this year frolicking with a woman on a Florida beach, and the ensuing scandal resulted in the church relieving him of his duties at St. Francis de Sales in Miami Beach.

According to Reuters, Cutie plans to pursue the priesthood in a faith that allows married clergy. He told reporters, "I've seen with my own eyes how many brothers of mine serve God as married men and with the blessing of having their own families."

After the controversial pictures were published, Cutie admitted to being in love with the woman he was photographed with and had broken his vow of celibacy. He apologized for his behavior, but told the Spanish-language television network Univision, "I didn't stop being a man just because I put on a cassock. There are trousers under this cassock."

The Episcopal Church ordains both men and women as priests, married or single. Cutie described his move as "going to a new family." Some Catholics expressed sympathy for Cutie and voiced the opinion that celibacy was too harsh a rule to impose on priests. They also said they were relieved that he had been involved with an adult woman in light of the scandals involving priests with young boys.