Catholic priest kicked out of Church for having his hand down a woman's bikini, marries her

The Catholic priest who was kicked out of the Church after he was photographed in a tabloid romping on a beach with a bikini-clad woman has now made the relationship official.

The Reverend Alberto Cutie has married Ruhama Canellis after a two-year relationship, according to court records in Miami.

The couple were not married in a church, but by a judge.

It was the latest in the public spectacle that started when photos of Rev Cutie embracing his girlfriend surfaced last month.

Amid the uproar, Rev Cutie - also known as 'Father Oprah' for his sound relationship advice - was removed from his South Beach parish.
Protesters marched to support the popular priest, who has appeared on radio and TV broadcasts beamed through the Americas and Spain.
But he quickly departed from Catholicism to become an Episcopal priest. The Episcopal church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican communion.
Last month he preached his first Episcopal sermon to an American congregation - and took Ruhama along with him.

He preached a sermon on forgiveness - and was openly affectionate with Ruhama, who he was pictured cuddling with as he spoke to parishioners.
Rev Cutie, 40, still must meet other requirements before becoming a full-fledged priest in the Episcopalian religion.
Last month, in an interview with CBS, he said, 'I believe that I've fallen in love and I believe that I've struggled with that, between my love for God, and my love for the church and my love for service.'
Rev Cutie met Ruhama, 35, in church. The priest said they were friends for years before becoming romantically involved.

Rev Cutie has not commented. An e-mail to Ruhama prompted an automatic reply that said the account was not being checked but to 'keep us in your prayers'.
Rev Cutie remains, technically at least, a Catholic priest, though the Miami archdiocese has barred him from celebrating Mass, providing the sacraments or preaching.
Only the Vatican can fully remove him from the priesthood.
The Catholic archdiocese declined to comment on the marriage. A message left with a spokeswoman at the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida was not immediately returned.
Rev Cutie also authored a book titled "Real Life, Real Love: 7 Paths to a Strong, Lasting Relationship."