Bishop vows effort to clear his name

In his first wide-ranging interview since a Feb. 5 press conference at which he vigorously denied an allegation of sexual misconduct levelled against him, a firm and focused Bishop Howard J. Hubbard told The Evangelist this week that "I am determined to leave no stone unturned to refute these charges and to restore my reputation."

The complete text of the interview begins on page 11 as part of an eight-page, in-depth examination of the issues surrounding two accusations of sexual misconduct made against the Bishop.

The Bishop also announced this week that he will meet with other area newspapers and the electronic media to clear his name.

On Feb. 4, a California man claimed that his brother committed suicide after having a sexual relationship with the Bishop in the 1970s. Two days later, a Schenectady man alleged that the Bishop had solicited sex from him in the same time frame when the man was a teenage prostitute.

Strong denials

Leaving no doubt about his response to those or any accusations, Bishop Hubbard said in the interview: "I am not guilty of these charges -- or of any charges of sexual abuse of any child or any adult."

During the course of the interview, Bishop Hubbard repeatedly denied the allegations made against him and vowed to remain as head of the Albany Diocese.

He also shared the emotional toll the allegations have taken on him, noting that when he heard of the first claim, "my life was turned upside down, and I found myself in the most surreal situation imaginable."

He described the experience of talking about sex at a press conference as "very embarrassing and very humiliating."

While determined to prove his innocence, the Bishop said he retains another goal. "I am committed to do all in my power to bring healing to the victims and to their family members," he said. "That will remain a priority for me, no matter what."

Topics

During the interview, the Bishop talks about:

* how he found out about the allegations,

* his plans to consider such options as suing for slander or defamation,

* the support he has received from Catholics, and

* his understanding of those who are skeptical about his innocence.

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