Milingo, 71, who once led an archdiocese in Lusaka, Zambia, wed Maria Sung, 43, a specialist in acupuncture, in a ceremony involving 60 couples at the New York Hilton in Manhattan. Moon, founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, chose the bride for Milingo, as is his custom. It was unknown where the couple planned to honeymoon, and Milingo said where he and Sung will live is "God's providence.・

In marrying, Milingo, who wore a black tuxedo rather than his priestly vestments, broke the priest's vow of celibacy, which almost certainly will result in his excommunication from the Church. That, he said, meant "nothing・to him.

"It doesn't affect me,・he told reporters after the ceremony. "I have an obligation to carry out what the Lord wants, and that's what I'm doing. God is still with me. I love my church.・

In a written statement, Milingo said, "I take this step only in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and only after many days of prayer and fasting. I suffer not the opinions of men, and seek only to do God's will.・

He said marriage is the fulfillment of God's purpose, and quoted two biblical passages: "It is not fitting for man to be alone,・and "Be fruitful and multiply.・

"God has shown me that the oneness of a Godly man and woman is a true reflection of the Holy Trinity,・he said.

Milingo also argued yesterday that the vow of celibacy has forced some in the church to indulge in "all manner of defilements.・

"Many are unable to reconcile this longing with their celibate vow, so their commitment has become a hollow shell,・he said. "All manner of defilements, including unnatural lust, illegitimate children and other secret horrors have burdened the lives of those who seek to serve him.

"The increase of homosexuality and pregnancy among priests and nuns has become common knowledge. In this way, Satan's blood has continued to flow into and through God's church.・

The Rev. Phillip Schanker, a spokesman for Moon, said Milingo sought Moon's advice in choosing a bride and has no intention to leave the Catholic faith.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told The Associated Press he would not comment "until we hear something directly from Milingo.・

Milingo, who herded cattle as a youth, was ordained in 1958 in Zambia. In 1969, Pope Paul VI consecrated him bishop of the archdioceses of Lusaka, Zambia. In 1973, according to a biography on his Web site, he discovered, "almost by accident, the charisma of healing,・a faith-healing philosophy for which he became famous in the region.

He also became controversial for "inculturation,・the development of an authentic African Christianity growing out of African values.

In 1982, after lurid allegations of heresy, witchcraft, sexual impropriety, and the misuse of money, the Vatican ordered him back to Rome and named him a special delegate for migration and tourism.

Milingo's involvement with exorcism was once featured on a TNT network show called "Faces of Evil.・In 1996, he told a convention of clergy and laity that the world needed more exorcists to aid the possessed. Of the church, he noted:

"Now the third dimension [of evil] is the most dangerous. It is subtle and most terrible ... I could not believe when I discovered this third dimension of evil. The third dimension is people who follow instructions in satanic sects ... Now with this third dimension, I'm sorry to say, our Church belongs to it.・