Diocese adds deceased priest to list of offenders

After an extensive investigation, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany announced Oct. 16 that it will add the late Father Cabell B. Marbury to its List of Offenders, citing “reasonable cause” related to three allegations of sexual abuse against minors. The decision comes after an independent investigator, hired by the Diocesan Review Board, looked into new and historic allegations against Marbury. Parishes and schools where the priest served will be notified. (The List of Offenders can be found at www.rcda.org/offenders.)

Per diocesan policy, the Diocese immediately forwarded the November 2019 claim to the district attorney. The DA released the case back to the Diocese in February 2020, at which point the independent Diocesan Review Board was able to commence its own investigation. The Diocesan Review Board forwarded all pertinent information related to the accused priest, allegations of abuse and investigatory reports to Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who reviewed the findings before making a decision to accept the board’s recommendation.

Marbury, who died in 2014 at age 81, served most of his priesthood at Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School and Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, beginning in 1964. He served as theology teacher, band leader, guidance counselor, director and producer of school plays, director of guidance and vice principal. Upon his retirement in 2009, he remained in residence at the school, serving as a volunteer chaplain and member of the school board.

Ordained in 1964 for the Diocese of Albany, Marbury served as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart, Castleton, in June 1964; Blessed Sacrament, Hague, in the summer of 1964; and St. Pius X, Loudonville, from 1964-67. He also served as a weekend associate at various parishes, including the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, St. James in Albany (now St. Francis of Assisi), St. Paul’s in Schenectady, and St. Patrick’s in Cohoes.

Allegations of sexual abuse were filed against Marbury in 1993, 2003 and 2015. The 2019 allegation is a renewal of the 1993 allegation, which originally resulted in an agreement for counseling assistance, standard practice at that time for all those who came forward regardless of a decision on the allegation. In the 2003 case, the Diocesan Review Board found “no reasonable grounds” for abuse, and in the 2015 case, the Diocesan Review Board had insufficient information to make a decision. Marbury also has a current Child Victims Act (CVA) case pending against him.

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].