Reverand Cutie: A Modern Day Thorn Birds Romance

My cousin, Aparna, and I had a tradition when we were growing up. Every year, when I visited India, Aparna and I would sit up all night and watch the movie, The Thorn Birds, starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. We probably did this for over 10 years, and the night before I got married, we watched it again with our younger cousin, Radhika. We just LOVED the forbidden romance of the Father Ralph and his young Meggie, and the notion that true love could overshadow not only ones aspirations of success (Father Ralph had Vatican ambitions), but even a commitment to God. When I read today about the love scandal involving Rev. Alberto Cutie, a Father Oprah in the Spanish speaking world, who admitted to a 2 year affair with a woman whom he loves, AND I saw his photo (he is cute!), I was taken back to those sweet memories of watching a corny film with my cousin! Rev. Cutie undoubtedly had a promising careeer - he had written a book called Real Life, Real Love, appeared on television and radio and given self-help advice. Along the way, he admits he fell in love. But the problem was that, as a Catholic priest, he had taken a vow of celibacy, to show his commitment and devoted love for God. In admitting that he loved this woman, his words included "wrong", "unfortunate", "apology" and "struggle". Choosing to become a priest, and to take a vow of celibacy, is undoubtedly a personal choice. And the Catholic Church has faced enough scandals over pedophilia and sexual abuse to tarnish its image. But, the romantic in me, who admits she loved the scene where Richard Chamberlain relinquishes his priests robes to just be a man for the weekend, asks should Rev. Cutie be apologizing so profusely for falling in love?