Diocese responds to allegations against Bishop Hubbard

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany has released the following statement regarding allegations against Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard:

“While this charge is extremely distressing for the Diocese of Albany, the Bishop Emeritus is entitled to be treated in the same manner as any other priest or deacon who has been accused of abuse. The Diocese has clear policies and procedures in place when such accusations arise, and we expect those to be followed in this case, and in every case.

“It is critically important to remember that, like anyone else, Bishop Emeritus Hubbard enjoys the presumption of innocence, and we will withhold any judgment until all the facts are known and this case is resolved. We take all allegations seriously and pray for all who come forward with allegations,” the statement continued.

“In accordance with Pope Francis’ recently updated reporting guidelines (known as Vos Estis), Bishop Scharfenberger has informed the Papal Nuncio as well as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who serves as the Metropolitan Archbishop for the New York Province, of the legal claim against Bishop Hubbard. 

“After his conversation with the Cardinal today, Bishop Scharfenberger reported that Cardinal Dolan urged full cooperation with the investigation, expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for the clear directives in Vos Estis, and offered prayers for all involved.”

Bishop Hubbard was named in a lawsuit on Wednesday of allegedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in the 1990s. Wednesday was the first day of the Child Victims Act, in which victims of alleged sexual abuse have a one-year window to file claims against an abuser or organization no matter how long ago the alleged abuse took place.