Catholic Archbishop’s wife not pregnant

The South Korean woman whose marriage to a Zambian archbishop rocked the Vatican spared the Church further embarrassment today by announcing she was not pregnant.

Maria Sung, 43, who married Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, 71, in a Moonie mass wedding, took a pregnancy test at a Rome hospital this morning.

She said earlier in the week that her period was late, saying it could be from fatigue or pregnancy.

‘‘I’m relieved by the fact that I do not have to care about a child, so I can focus with all my spirit and heart to find my husband,’’ Sung said at a Rome hotel where she is staying.

She announced the test three days after the Vatican released what it said was a letter from Milingo saying he was leaving her and returning to the Roman Catholic Church.

Sung is also reportedly on a hunger strike aimed at forcing Milingo to meet her.

‘‘I think this hunger strike is the only way to find my husband,’’ she said.

The Zambian archbishop had said celibacy is poisoning the priesthood and that God’s blessings were meant to be given through the family.

But his letter to Pope John Paul said he was recommitting his life ‘‘in the Catholic church with all my heart.’’

Sung says she hasn’t heard from her husband since Aug. 8, the day after he met with the pope, and says she fears the Vatican is holding him as a prisoner against his will.

The Vatican has not disclosed Milingo’s whereabouts, saying only that he is on a spiritual retreat and that he should be left alone to pray.