( CNN ) -- Father Alberto Cutie , an internationally known Catholic priest who admitted having a romantic affair and breaking his vow of celibacy , is joining the Episcopal Church to be with the woman he loves , he said Thursday . Father Alberto Cutie will deliver a sermon Sunday at a Florida Episcopal Church . `` I will always love the Catholic Church and all its members , '' he said at a news conference . `` But I want to start today by going into a new family . `` Here before this community where I have chosen to serve and where I live , I am going to continue to proclaim the word of God and my love for God , '' Cutie said . Cutie ( pronounced koo-tee-AY ) was received into the Episcopal Church earlier Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami , Florida . He will pursue the priesthood in the Episcopalian faith , the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said in a written statement . It was not immediately clear how long the process would take . John C. Favalora , archbishop of the Catholic Church 's Miami archdiocese , where Cutie served , said he was `` deeply disappointed '' by the news . `` Father Cutie 's actions have caused grave scandal within the Catholic Church , harmed the Archdiocese of Miami -- especially our priests -- and led to division within the ecumenical community and the community at large , '' Favalora said in a written statement . `` Today 's announcement only deepens those wounds . '' Cutie -- sometimes called `` Father Oprah '' because of the advice he 's given in Spanish-language media -- shocked the Catholic community when photographs of him embracing a bathing-suit-clad woman emerged this month in the pages of TV Notas magazine . The Cuban-American priest admitted having a two-year relationship with the woman , a long-time friend . She has not been publicly identified . `` This is something I 've struggled with , '' he said this month . `` I do n't support the breaking of the celibacy promise . '' Of his relationship with the woman , he said , `` Through the photos , it looked like a frivolous thing on the beach , you know , and that 's not what it is . It 's something deeper than that . '' After the photographs surfaced , Cutie was removed from his duties at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach and on the Radio Paz and Radio Peace Networks . In Thursday 's statement , Favalora said that , in the eyes of the Catholic church , Cutie now has the worst of both worlds : He may no longer perform a priest 's sacraments and any mass he might perform would be `` invalid , '' but he must abide by his vow of celibacy . `` Father Cutie is still bound by his promise to live a celibate life , which he freely embraced at ordination , '' Favalora said . `` Only the Holy Father can release him from that obligation . '' He had been president and general director of Pax Catholic Communications , home of Radio Paz and Radio Peace . In addition to his television and radio appearances , Cutie has written newspaper advice columns and a self-help book , `` Real Life , Real Love . '' The Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said Cutie will deliver a sermon Sunday at a church that diocese leaders are looking to restore : the Church of the Resurrection in Biscayne Park . Cutie will be a part of this effort to revitalize this church and others , the diocese said . Cutie was the first Catholic priest to host a daily talk show on a major secular television network , according to his information on the LinkedIn online professional network . Favalora also had harsh words for the Episcopal church 's decision to accept Cutie . `` This truly is a serious setback for ecumenical relations and cooperation between us , '' he said .
NEW : Archbishop at Alberto Cutie archdiocese `` deeply disappointed '' Alberto Cutie leaves Southeast church to be with woman he loves . Cutie joining Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Alberto Cutie . Priest had been photographed with woman in bathing suit Thursday .