Local News

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ― The woman seen in controversial photos with Father Albert Cutié has been identified as Ruhama Canellis. Thursday night, Canellis rushed into an awaiting pickup truck to avoid news crews waiting outside her Miami Beach apartment building.

By Friday morning Canellis had released this 54-word statement to the media: "As a single mother, I ask that the members of the media respect my privacy and the privacy of my 14 year old son. I want to thank my family, my friends and so many others for their outpouring of love and support. I ask that everyone continue to pray for us. Thank you."

Meanwhile, Cutié is expected to make his first public comments since the scandal broke. He will sit down with The Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez for an exclusive interview that will air on Monday.

Information about Canellis surfaced on Friday. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reports that she was married in 1994 and divorced two years later and has a teenage son.

On Friday morning, she darted into a blue Toyota Tacoma after the photographs of her appeared in TV Notas magazine.

The driver of the Toyota Tacoma who identified himself only as Raymond took her to the airport. CBS4's Peter D'Oench caught up with him and said Canellis is his wife's friend.

"I did a favor to her," Raymond said.

D'Oench asked, "Where did you drop her at the airport?"

Raymond replied, "I think some international side. I think American Airlines outer lane."

D'Oench then asked, "What was her state of mind when you took her to the airport? Was she saying anything about all this?"

Raymond simply shook his head and said, "I'm sorry my man, but, ok."

D'Oenchs said: "You couldn't say how she was feeling?"

Raymond said: "I don't want to say not anymore."

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald also reported that she's been in trouble before. She was cited for operating a business without a license in 2000 and paid fines. She also applied for a real-estate broker and is licensed as a body wrapper and facial specialist as well.

Juana Gomez lives in Canellis's building and knows Father Albert. She had no idea her neighbor had any kind of relationship with him. CBS4 Reporter Natalia Zea asked Gomez, "Have you every seen the Priest here?"

Gomez responded, "No, no, and I know him personally, but I have never seen him here."

Zea said, "Does it surprise you to hear that's the same one?"

Juana responded, "Of course! Strange first of all because it's a priest."

Earlier Thursday, a show of support for the embattled, popular priest turned violent when a counter demonstrator showed up at a Father Cutié support rally.

Dozens of current and former parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Church and friends of Cutié held up signs and chanted, "We love you Alberto." Others said, "Admire, Respect and Forgive Father Albert." But there was no love for a man with a difference of opinion. They started shouting at Jose Soler when he showed up at the church and told a radio reporter that the Archdiocese of Miami had made a wise decision in relieving Cutié of his duties at the church and with the catholic radio station.

Provocative photos in the TV NOTAS Magazine show Father Cutié and the woman locked in loving embraces on a beach. They are seen kissing and caressing each other.

Soler was slapped on the side of the head and knocked down. Police were called and a Miami Beach officer had to escort him away. Before he left, he said, "The preacher has to set a good example. I don't talk trash. This is what I feel."

Among the demonstrators, Mary Ann McIlraith said, "There are many people who support Father Cutié for what he has done over the years. He has touched many people."

Patty Colosimo said, "The father has been great for the community. I think it's a different century. It's time for a change."

Colosimo was referring to the vow of celibacy that Catholic Priests have to make. Celibacy is not required of Protestant priests, and the Bishop of the Episcopal Church here in South Florida has said that Cutié would be welcome to join his flock of Episcopalians.

Another unidentified demonstrator said, "I just think it's absurd to demonize a man for behaving so naturally. I think the Catholic Church is behind the times."

Another demonstrator, Maria Helleler, said Cutié was a "great man" and she said of the unidentified woman in the photos in TV NOTAS Magazine, "She has no manners. She has no scruples."

Father Cutié has kept a very low profile since the photos were published. He was expected to attend the 2009 Mothers of the Year Award Luncheon at Jungle Island, hosted by the Cuban American National Council. Cutié's mother, Yolanda, who has three children, was one of 10 mothers honored. And while other mothers had numerous accomplishments, she was the only one to receive a standing ovation, a sign of support for her son as well.

Yolanda Cutié told a packed room that she appreciated the love shown her son in the past few days. And the Mistress of Ceremonies, Channel 23 anchorwoman, Alina Mayo Azze, read a statement she had received from Cutié. She said Cutié said, "My mother's the most spectacular person in the world." She announced that Cutié said his mother showed him what it was like to love God, and he said he too appreciated the support.

The identity of the woman in the photos is a mystery. Her face appears clearly in several of the 25 photos in the 8-page spread. The most shocking picture shows Father Cutié putting his hand down her bathing suit and touching her buttocks. A reporter for our news partner at El Nuevo Herald spoke with Father Cutié by telephone and asked about rumors that the woman is Colombian and whether she was a parishioner.

But the reporter said Father Cutié told him he did not want to discuss the identity of the woman. Meanwhile, we have learned the identity of the paparazzo who took the photos. That photographer has refused CBS4's requests for an interview.

Father Cutié has not been seen at his former church and is taking a leave. His future with the church is not clear.

Cutié has been seen worldwide on Spanish-language TV shows and has been the voice of Radio Paz and Radio Peace in Miami. But he was quickly relieved of his duties on Tuesday, running his Catholic church and the Catholic radio station of the Archdiocese of Miami.

The photos of Cutié did raise a question: did Cutié, who was ordained as a priest in 1995, break his church-cherished vow of celibacy?

On Tuesday, Archdiocese spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta said Cutié would no longer be administrator of the St. Francis de Sales parish on Miami Beach and will no longer the Catholic radio station, Radio peace and Radio Paz.

"He's on a prayerful journey," said Ross Agosta. "He's still a priest, but he is on leave."

She said Cutié had been traveling and would now "do what he had to do." She said a new administrator is being named for the church and said Father Jose Hernando would now run the Catholic radio station.

Since 1998, Father Cutié has hosted several Spanish-language talk shows and programs. He's been seen in 24 million homes in 22 countries. He writes a syndicated newspaper advice column called "Advice from a friend." He's been dubbed "Father Oprah" by his fans. He also was published. His book is "Real Life, Real Love---7 paths to a strong and lasting relationship." He is the son of Cuban parents. He grew up in Miami and attended Southwest High School.

On Tuesday, Archbishop John Favalora said, "I am deeply saddened by the news surrounding Father Cutié. I apologize on behalf of the church in Miami to the parishioners of St. 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."

"Father Cutié made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God. Father Cutié's actions can not be condoned despite the good works he has done as priest."

Father Cutié released his own statement on Tuesday, saying, "Before God full of love and mercy, I ask the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions. The commitment I made to serve God will remain intact. I am grateful for the love and support I have received from so many in our community."

CBS4's Peter D'Oench contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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