A former New York bishop has died at 84. He promoted social justice, but covered up rape allegations
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Howard Hubbard, a retired Catholic bishop who acknowledged masking up allegations of sexual abuse in his upstate New York diocese and not too long ago married a lady in a civil ceremony, has died after affected by an enormous stroke
FILE — Bishop Howard Hubbard swings incense throughout an Ash Wednesday communion service, on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Feb. 25, 2004, in Albany, N.Y. Hubbard, a retired Catholic bishop who acknowledged masking up allegations of sexual abuse in his upstate New York diocese and not too long ago married a lady in a civil ceremony, has died after affected by an enormous stroke, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. He was 84. (AP Picture/Jim McKnight, File)
The Related Press
ALBANY, N.Y. — Howard Hubbard, a retired Catholic bishop who acknowledged masking up allegations of sexual abuse in his upstate New York diocese and not too long ago married a lady in a civil ceremony, has died after affected by an enormous stroke. He was 84.
Hubbard handed away at Albany Medical Middle on Saturday after being hospitalized for the stroke days prior, bishop spokesman Mark Behan confirmed.
Hubbard was referred to as a champion of social justice causes throughout his lengthy tenure main the Albany, New York-based diocese from 1977 to 2014. However his status suffered because the church turned engulfed in sexual abuse scandals.
Hubbard had adamantly denied accusations that he abused minors. However he acknowledged in a 2021 deposition that he and the diocese lined up allegations of sexual abuse towards youngsters by monks partly to keep away from scandal.
Final fall, Hubbard stated he needed to be returned to the lay state — go away the clergy — since he might now not perform as a priest attributable to a U.S. church coverage that bars accused monks from ministry. He stated his request to the Vatican was rejected in March and he was inspired to attend whereas the seven civil lawsuits towards him proceeded.
As a substitute, he introduced earlier this month that he had not too long ago married an unidentified girl.
“I may very well be 91 or 92 earlier than these authorized issues are concluded,” Hubbard stated in a ready launch on the time. “Within the meantime, I’ve fallen in love with an exquisite girl who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me.”
The present bishop of the upstate New York diocese, Edward Scharfenberger, stated the church didn’t take into account Hubbard’s marriage to be legitimate.
A whole lot of lawsuits have been filed towards the Albany diocese beneath a state regulation that allowed folks to sue over sexual abuse they are saying they endured as youngsters, generally a long time in the past.
The diocese filed for chapter this yr amid the flood of lawsuits.
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