Retired Bishop Emeritus of Albany, New York, USA, Howard J. Hubbard, Applies for Laicization and is Married in a Civil Ceremony at Age 84
The bishop emeritus of Albany, New York, USA, Howard J. Hubbard, got married in a civil ceremony. The 84-year-old had previously applied to the Vatican to be laicized, but this was refused. He is under investigation for cover-up and for committing sexual abuse himself. His successor as Bishop of Albany, Edward Scharfenberger, specifically stated in a statement after the civil marriage became known: "Bishop Hubbard remains a retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and therefore cannot enter into a marriage", even if he has been doing so for some time time it is forbidden to present oneself as a priest or to administer the sacraments in public.
Howard J. Hubbard served as Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Albany, New York, from 1977 until his retirement in 2014. In a guest article in the non-church New York daily Times Union in 2021, he admitted that he had not correctly dealt with allegations of abuse against priests during his tenure. According to other media reports, the Vatican is investigating allegations of sexual abuse, which he is said to have committed in 1977, shortly after his episcopal ordination. However, some allegations of sexual abuse against him have since been dismissed as unfounded.
Hubbard explained on August 1 that, in response to his request for laicization, he was encouraged to “wait patiently and in prayer and continue to abstain from public service until the seven civil cases against me for alleged sexual misconduct are resolved is". In view of his age, however, he did not want to wait any longer. Because he "fell in love with a wonderful woman", who "helped me a lot and took care of me because she puts her trust in me". She is "a loving and helpful companion on this journey". Hubbard did not disclose the identity of this woman.
Hubbard wrote:
“Last fall, after prayerful consideration and consultation, I applied to the Vatican to be returned to the lay state and to be relieved of my clerical obligations. In March, I received notice from the Vatican that my request had been denied,” Bishop Hubbard said in the statement titled, ‘A Letter to My Dear Colleagues and Friends.’ "I was encouraged to wait patiently and prayerfully and to continue to abstain from public ministry until seven civil lawsuits against me alleging sexual misconduct had been adjudicated.
“Shortly thereafter, the Diocese of Albany declared bankruptcy, as have six of the eight other Dioceses in New York State. I have been advised that it may be several years before the Albany bankruptcy case is settled and all of the Child Victims Act civil lawsuits adjudicated. Presently, I am 84 years of age and will turn 85 in October. I could be 91 or 92 before these legal matters are concluded.
“In the meantime, I have fallen in love with a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me. She has been a loving and supportive companion on this journey. After much prayerful reflection, we decided to marry and did so in July in a civil ceremony.”
Shortly after Bishop Hubbard released his statement, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany responded with his own statement to the faithful on the marriage.
“This certainly is unexpected news and like many of you, I am just now beginning to process it. While he is not permitted to represent himself as a priest or perform the sacraments in public, Bishop Hubbard remains a retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church does not acknowledge his marriage as valid,” Bishop Scharfenberger said in the statement.
“I urge you to pray for all survivors of sexual abuse and their families. Pray for all of the faithful in the diocese. Pray for our priests, deacons, the men and women religious, many of whom depended on Bishop Hubbard for their vocations. Also pray for Bishop Hubbard and all in his close circle, that they can help to guide him to act in accordance with God's will.
“This is a challenging time for many, but we are not alone. Let us remember that through the turmoil, the one constant for all of us is the comforting presence of Jesus, who shepherds us with the promise of everlasting life. Let us journey together, as a people of faith, believing that with God, in God and through God, healing is possible.
“Last fall, after prayerful consideration and consultation, I applied to the Vatican to be returned to the lay state and to be relieved of my clerical obligations. In March, I received notice from the Vatican that my request had been denied,” Bishop Hubbard said in the statement titled, ‘A Letter to My Dear Colleagues and Friends.’ "I was encouraged to wait patiently and prayerfully and to continue to abstain from public ministry until seven civil lawsuits against me alleging sexual misconduct had been adjudicated.
“Shortly thereafter, the Diocese of Albany declared bankruptcy, as have six of the eight other Dioceses in New York State. I have been advised that it may be several years before the Albany bankruptcy case is settled and all of the Child Victims Act civil lawsuits adjudicated. Presently, I am 84 years of age and will turn 85 in October. I could be 91 or 92 before these legal matters are concluded.
“In the meantime, I have fallen in love with a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me. She has been a loving and supportive companion on this journey. After much prayerful reflection, we decided to marry and did so in July in a civil ceremony.”
Shortly after Bishop Hubbard released his statement, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany responded with his own statement to the faithful on the marriage.
“This certainly is unexpected news and like many of you, I am just now beginning to process it. While he is not permitted to represent himself as a priest or perform the sacraments in public, Bishop Hubbard remains a retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church does not acknowledge his marriage as valid,” Bishop Scharfenberger said in the statement.
“I urge you to pray for all survivors of sexual abuse and their families. Pray for all of the faithful in the diocese. Pray for our priests, deacons, the men and women religious, many of whom depended on Bishop Hubbard for their vocations. Also pray for Bishop Hubbard and all in his close circle, that they can help to guide him to act in accordance with God's will.
“This is a challenging time for many, but we are not alone. Let us remember that through the turmoil, the one constant for all of us is the comforting presence of Jesus, who shepherds us with the promise of everlasting life. Let us journey together, as a people of faith, believing that with God, in God and through God, healing is possible.
Source: https://evangelist.org/news/2023/aug/01/bishop-hubbard-marries-in-civil-ceremony/
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