"If I am expecting a baby, it would be in the interests of the child to know its father," Maria Sung said. "He would want to know his father."

Sung, 43, also threatened to begin a hunger strike today until she sees her husband, Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, who disappeared into seclusion six days ago.

In May, Milingo and Sung scandalized the Catholic Church by marrying at a mass wedding in New York organized by the Unification Church's Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

The Vatican responded by saying Milingo would be excommunicated unless he renounced the marriage by Aug. 20.

Last week, the 71-year-old Milingo suddenly appeared in Italy in an apparent bid to repair his relations with Rome.

After seeing Pope John Paul II, he began what was described as a voluntary retreat at an undisclosed location for "reflection and prayer." It was expected to last two or three weeks.

"I told God that if he did not want me to die, he should give me back my husband," Sung said.

She said she had not taken a pregnancy test, but added: "I am late by at least one month."

The Korean-born Sung rebuked the Vatican for keeping Milingo away.

"Before being a Catholic, he is a human being," Sung said. "He is not private property of the Catholic Church. All I want is to find my husband."

Post Wire Services