Rev. Alberto Cutie

MIAMI — It has the makings of a telenovela: A handsome Cuban-American priest and TV personality caught cavorting with his girlfriend on the beach. After much soul-searching, he decides to leave the Catholic Church for his love.

Even as many Americans scratch their heads and ask "Father who?" the saga of the Rev. Alberto Cutie has become a media sensation in the Hispanic community, both here and in Latin America.

"It's in all the papers in my country," said Costa Rican masseuse Karla Nolee, herself the daughter of a former Roman Catholic priest. "He is so famous internationally, it's touched people."

Around office watercoolers and over afternoon coffee, people are talking about "Padre Alberto," even those who barely knew of him before the scandal.

Cutie — dubbed "Father Oprah" by the English-language media for his relationship advice — long exerted influence from his church pulpit in the heart of Miami Beach. The bilingual priest offered frank messages on faith and relationships delivered through syndicated columns, radio programs, television shows and a book.

His striking blue eyes, black hair and penchant for attending high-profile events — often at the latest South Beach hot spots — only added to his celebrity.

Then, last month, a Spanish-language magazine published photos of him and his girlfriend.

Rather than be outraged, hundreds of parishioners demonstrated in support of him.

The scandal peaked last week when Cutie announced he would leave the Roman Catholic Church for the Episcopal faith, which allows priests to marry. CNN en Espanol broadcast his words live, and one Miami Spanish-language station cut into its regular programming. His first Episcopalian sermon Sunday was mobbed by the Hispanic media.

"At this point, we're talking about parallel worlds," said Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos, himself a star in the Spanish-speaking world.

"What many people in English don't realize is that we're covering so many things they don't know about," he added, especially when it comes to Latin America or immigration.

On Monday, Nolee argued good-naturedly with her friend, South Beach hair and makeup artist Evelyn Montes, about whether Cutie disrespected his flock by not coming forward with his girlfriend earlier.

Both agreed Cutie, 40, should be able to wed. He has not yet said whether he will marry the woman, who has been identified in local media as 35-year-old Ruhama Buni Canellis. He has said he has been romantically involved with her for about two years after being friends much longer.

But Montes, who attended his former church a few blocks away, said his departure wouldn't change her faith.

"I kind of always thought he was going to get in trouble because he was so handsome," she said. But, she added, she'd rather hear about a priest falling in love with a woman than another church sex abuse scandal.

While there is interest in Cutie outside the U.S., the story has had less shock value in Latin America, where Paraguay's bishop-turned-president, Fernando Lugo, recently acknowledged fathering a son while he was still a bishop.