Statement by Bishop Howard Hubbard

I do not know Thomas Zalay. I have never had any elationship with Thomas Zalay. I have never sexually abused anyone of any age. I have honored my vow of celibacy.

I stand before you today with a clear conscience. I am at peace with God and within myself because there is absolutely no truth to the allegations which have been leveled against me.

I do not know why these allegations have been made against me. I cannot speak to the motivations of the people involved. As great as the pain I feel today, I empathize with the pain and anguish this family must have endured. I will keep all of them in my prayers. I did not know Thomas Zalay in life, but I will pray for his eternal peace.

In the past, as you know, I have never been afraid to apologize for mistakes that I and others may have made in handling the scandal of sexual abuse of minors by priests. But today I have nothing to apologize for. The allegations are completely, utterly false.

Some have wondered whether I should step aside. While I will continue to consult with our lay and religious leadership throughout the Diocese -- the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Presbyteral Council and with my fellow bishops -- I believe I would be wrong to dignify an absolutely false charge by walking away from my responsibilities here.

I assure Albany County District Attorney Paul Clyne and you that I will cooperate in every way with his investigation of this allegation. I will make available any information or record he requests. This matter also has been referred to our Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board, which will also address this allegation, as it would any allegation of this sort against any other priest. I am no different from any other priest in this Diocese. I will not investigate myself.

I am willing and eager to take a polygraph test so that there is no question in anyone's mind about the falsity of this allegation.

I first learned of this matter -- and first heard Thomas Zalay's name -- yesterday afternoon when I received a phone call from the Chancery. I immediately offered to take a polygraph test and then caught the first plane home so that I could be here today and speak to you in person.

I am most grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of calls and e-mails and messages of support that I have received over the last 24 hours. These are a treasured source of strength for me in this very difficult time.

My only regret today is that Catholics throughout our Diocese, the church, my brother priests and my family have to endure the pain of this false claim. I have every confidence in God's providence and I am sure that justice will prevail.

I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't care whether he is a liberal or a conservative, he still deserves a fair hearing and due process. But is he affording that same fairness to his priests?

But wait a second. Isn't that the new policy of the bishops -- priests are immediately suspended upon the least allegation, no matter how little credibility it might have? So Hubbard refuses to "dignify an absolutely false charge," but what about the hundreds of priests whose reputations are ruined by false charges? Why don't they get the same opportunity?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.