ALBANY DIOCESE ADDS DECEASED PRIEST TO LIST OF OFFENDERS

After an extensive investigation, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany announced Tuesday that it added Father Alan Jupin, who died in 2019, to its List of Offenders for “reasonable cause” related to allegations of sexual abuse against minors. 

The decision came after the Diocesan Review Board hired an investigator to look into a 2019 allegation as well as historic allegations against Jupin, resulting in the finding of “reasonable cause” to accept the allegations as credible. Announcements will be made in the parishes where the late priest served. (The List of ­Offenders can be found at www.rcda.org/offenders.)

Jupin, who previously had been put on administrative leave by the Diocese in 2003 and 2011 for allegations of abuse that were later found by the Diocesan Review Board to have no reasonable cause for action, has been accused of sexually abusing a total of five minors in Schenectady and Albany during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

During his priesthood, Jupin was pastor of Our Lady of Fatima (now St. Kateri Tekakwitha), Schenectady, from 1989 until his retirement in 2007; pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, Colonie (now Christ Our Light, Loudonville), from 1979-89; pastor of St. John the Baptist, Schenectady, from 1972-79; associate pastor of St. John the Baptist, from 1971-72, and associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Delmar, from 1962-71. He also served as chaplain to the Colonie Police Department.

As is the case whenever any allegation is received, the Diocese immediately forwarded the related claim to the appropriate district attorney for review, per diocesan policy. Upon release from the district attorney, the Diocesan Review Board was able to commence its own investigation.

The independent Diocesan Review Board forwards all pertinent information related to an accused priest, allegations of abuse, and any investigatory reports to the Bishop, who then reviews everything before making a decision on whether to accept the board’s recommendation.

The Albany Diocese urges anyone who as a child was sexually abused by a Catholic priest or deacon to report the matter to a law enforcement agency or to the Diocese. To report an incident of abuse or to seek help, contact the Diocese’s Assistance Coordinator, Frederick Jones, at (518) 453-6646 or by email at [email protected].