Maverick Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo yesterday married a Korean acupuncturist in a group wedding organised by the Unification Church of the Rev Sun Myung Moon, leaving himself open to excommunication.
"At 71 years of age, after a lifetime of devotion to the church and to my priestly vows, the Lord has called me to take a step that will change my life forever," Archbishop Milingo said in a statement issued in New York, on the eve of the wedding.
According to Canon Law, he may be subject to automatic excommunication if the Vatican finds him guilty of apostasy, or renouncing his faith. A controversial faith healer from Zambia who also practises exorcism, Archbishop Milingo was married to Ms Maria Sung (43), chosen as his bride by Rev Moon.
About sixty other couples of mixed races representing major religions were also married during the one-hour ceremony at the New York Hilton Hotel conducted by Rev Moon and his wife.
Archbishop Milingo's statement said that as a celibate priest, matrimony had been the furthest thing from his mind.
"It is only through the command of Jesus, and the counsel and support of Reverend and Mrs Sun Myung Moon, that I take this unexpected and bold step that I have wrestled with in my heart for some time."
The Archbishop said he and his new wife would return to Africa to bring a mission of healing and renewal to the continent where many countries are being ravaged by HIV and AIDS.
The marriage is the latest in a string of embarrassments the Archbishop has caused the Vatican over what some church authorities consider his unorthodox methods.