Episcopal bishop in Father Cutie saga has history of making waves

Palm Beach Post ^ | 6/8/09 | Jaweed Kaleem

[Unam Sanctam]

It was the made-for-TV ending to a weeks-long saga of fame and faith: Alberto Cutié, the telegenic priest embroiled in a magazine-photo scandal, would leave the Roman Catholic Church to become an Episcopalian - and would marry his girlfriend of two years.

But when Cutié's new bishop, the Right Rev. Leo Frade, stood inside Miami's Trinity Cathedral to announce the news to dozens of international reporters, he created his own waves.

The "Inquisition is over,'' Frade said in widely broadcast remarks after Catholic Archbishop John C. Favalora admonished him for a disrespectful "public display.''

The style is typical of Frade's nine-year tenure, say those who know him well: casual, off-the-cuff and, to some, a bit too in-your-face.

For three weeks in May, the 65-year-old Cuban American became the face of the traditionally white Episcopal church, granting dozens of interviews about Cutié, who has kept a low profile since preaching at an Episcopal church in Biscayne Park last month.

The first Hispanic to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, Frade has campaigned for gay rights, expanded church missions to the Caribbean and the Americas and, as his courtship of Cutié shows, is intent on recruiting Hispanics to the Episcopal fold.

[Unam Sanctam]

The "Inquisition is over,'' Frade said in widely broadcast remarks after Catholic Archbishop John C. Favalora admonished him for a disrespectful "public display.''

What a jerk! I guess ecumenism (in respect of public courtesy) is not high on the Episcopal Church's priorities. I don't see how Episcopalians can complain about any lack of ecumenism or open communion by the Catholic Church.

[MSF BU]

The inflow of Anglican Priests into communion with Rome has been substantial. Maybe Frade wants to make a show of the fact that they have picked up one.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

In truth, the Catholic response is that Cutie leaves the Catholic church less for his indiscretion, than for his vanity. With ease he could have stepped down from the Priesthood, there is no shame for being unable to withstand its rigors, and been with the woman for whom he lusts.

But he equally lusts for celebrity and sanctimony.

[SuziQ]

"Frade has been an outspoken proponent of gay rights. In 2003, he was the only one of Florida's five Episcopal bishops to support the Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as bishop of New Hampshire. "You have to understand that I am the bishop of Key West, the bishop of South Beach, of Fort Lauderdale,'' he told The Herald at the time."

This could have given him an excellent opportunity to save some souls by encouraging them to turn from their sinful lifestyles. I guess he didn't want to challenge them, since that might make them not like him.

[danamco]

He was the reason we left Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church in Davie, Florida!

He still send us letter begging for money to his discretionary funds!!

Every time I return them with the note, that until he can interpret 1.Tim 3:1-7, no money. He never answers. Last year at Easter we took my wife's mother (90) to her church and Judas Frade was there and during the peace "ceremony" he came down to all the pews and wanted to shake my hand, but I pulled it back leaving a surprise expression on his face. He is fat and would easily roll than walk!!!

[Kolokotronis]

“What a jerk!”

Oh, US, who cares? Cutie is an apostate (for a piece of tail of all things) and Frade is a heretic. Let them both be ANATHEMA!