Priest Cutié Gets the Boot After "Booty Gate"

Father Alberto Cutié has stepped down as head of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach after revealing photos showed the popular priest getting randy on a beach with a bikini-clad young woman.

Under the headline "Santo Dios!" (My God!), magazine TV Notas USA claims in an article that Father Alberto Cutié, a popular Catholic priest who has hosted and appeared on several TV shows, was allegedly carousing on the beach in Miami with his "lover."

Cutié asked for forgiveness from his parishioners in a statement released late Tuesday, but stopped short of admitting he was a full fledged fornicator.

"I ask for the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions," he said. "The commitment that I made to serve God will remain intact."

Cutié also stepped down as head of the diocese radio network.

Diocese officials said he is on a "prayerful journey." That usually begins with an abrupt kick out the church's door.

According to the magazine released this week, Cutié, who took a vow of celibacy, was "seen hugging, kissing and putting his hand inside the bikini bottom" of the woman.

The pics, taken on three different days, purport to show the reverend strolling on the beach and hitting a nearby bar.

"We know that [the images] will surprise many," Juan Alejandro García, editorial director of TV Notas USA, told univision.com.

The handsome and charismatic Cutié, who's been written about in Newsweek and has called himself "Father Oprah," oversees a vast array of media endeavors including TV and radio shows and a book deal.

The Puerto Rican born Cutié, 40, made his first foray into TV in 1999 as the host of "Padre Alberto," a daily talk show on Telemundo. He later hosted another show, "America en Vivo," also on Telemundo.

Since 2002, Cutié has hosted a popular radio program called "Hablando Claro con el Parde Alberto," as well as serving as director of Pax Catholic Communications. In 2006 he published a self-help book, "Real Life, Real Love," 

Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora released a statement today, saying he was "deeply saddened by the news surrounding Father Alberto Cutié."

"I apologize on behalf of the Church in Miami to the parishioners of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, where he serves as administrator, to the listeners and supporters of Radio Paz and Radio Peace, and to the entire Archdiocese," the statement read.

"Father Cutié made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God," Favalora said.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 6 Miami

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