Kathy Willens, The Associated Press Roman Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and his bride, Marie Sung, pose following their marriage in New York yesterday at a group wedding arranged by Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

NEW YORK - A Roman Catholic archbishop who says God wants him and the Catholic Church to shed the celibacy rule married a South Korean acupuncturist yesterday in a group wedding conducted by Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, 71, was wed in a group marriage ceremony yesterday at the New York Hilton. The bride, chosen for him this week by Mr. Moon, is Marie Sung, 43.

"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, a controversial faith healer from Zambia who also practices exorcism, said in a statement issued in New York on the eve of the wedding.

According to Canon Law, Archbishop Milingo may be subject to excommunication if the Vatican finds him guilty of apostasy, or renouncing his faith. Catholic priests are not allowed to marry without first leaving the clergy.

About 60 other couples of mixed races representing major religions were also married during the one-hour ceremony at the New York Hilton Hotel conducted by Mr. Moon and his wife. The women wore white bridal gowns and veils, the men wore tuxedos.

As the couples stood arm in arm, Mr. Moon, whose followers regard him as a messiah, read their marriage vows in Korean. They responded "yes" in unison.

Archbishop Milingo has long been at odds with the Catholic hierarchy, although he remains based in Rome and still carries his title. In the statement, he said he had kept his priestly vow of celibacy since 1958, but has decided it's time for Catholicism to change.

"The sacrifice of celibate life has fulfilled its purpose. We enter the era when every man and woman is called to fulfill his or her original purpose to reflect God's image," he said.

Archbishop Milingo was archbishop of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, when he ran afoul of the Vatican over his ministry of faith healings and exorcisms. He resigned under pressure in 1983, a rare occurrence with an archbishop below normal retirement age and in good health.

Archbishop Milingo then was brought to Rome as a functionary in the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, but continued public meetings of healing and exorcism. Last year, he was quietly retired from the post.

Archbishop Milingo's statement said 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."

He 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 ravaged by HIV/AIDS.

"I offer my eternal gratitude and respect to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. I am and always will be devoted to the church that I love," he said.

The marriage is the latest in a string of embarrassments Archbishop Milingo has caused the Vatican.

In defiance of diocesan bishops in Italy, Archbishop Milingo has presided at colourful masses and meetings at which he has carried out impromptu exorcisms.

In each of the past two years, he has appeared at group weddings conducted by Mr. Moon. The rituals, called Holy Blessing Ceremonies, are a central practice of Mr. Moon's religion. Mr. Moon arranges the marriages personally and does not require those who take part in his wedding ceremonies to follow his religion.

Most Roman Catholics consider Mr. Moon's doctrines well beyond the bounds of traditional Christianity. For instance, Mr. Moon says Jesus was divine, "but he is not God," and followers regard Mr. Moon as the messiah who is completing the salvation Jesus Christ failed to accomplish.

Asked at a news conference whether the church would now excommunicate him, Archbishop Milingo said: "It doesn't affect me," though he added, "I have no desire to leave the church that I love."

He said he still considers himself a Catholic and that Mr. Moon's religious teachings are in line with the Bible, but the Vatican was expected to take action against him.