Bishop Hubbard accused in third lawsuit

Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard has been accused of allegedly sexually abusing a minor in the 1970s, according to a lawsuit filed on Oct. 3.

The lawsuit alleges Bishop Hubbard and a Father Joseph Mato sexually abused a minor from 1976-78. The Diocese of Albany and St. Michael the Archangel Church in Troy, but not Bishop Hubbard, are named in the lawsuit as defendants. No details of the alleged abuse are included in the lawsuit. There was a priest with a similar name who worked at St. Michael’s during that time frame, but the Diocese has never employed a Father Joseph Mato.

Mary DeTurris Poust, communications director for the Diocese, said the Diocese’s independent review board had previously investigated these allegations and "found no reasonable grounds to sustain the allegations.” She could not offer “further comment as Review Board investigations are confidential and because the matter is currently in litigation.”

Since the Child Victims Act (CVA) went into effect in the state on Aug. 14, Bishop Hubbard, who has taken a leave of absence from the Diocese, has been named in three separate lawsuits.

Bishop Hubbard has steadfastly denied the multiple allegations, saying in September: “I have stated before and I repeat that I have never sexually abused anyone of any age at any time.”