I have the misfortune to be in the Albany Diocese and haven’t seen this yet, but have no doubt it is possibly pending. Lay people have limited qualifications to Bless others - they are not ordained, so the validity of the whole premise is suspect anyway.
I think Hubbard is getting old enough to retire soon!!! Our Diocese is a mess - it has deliberately been deconstructed.
Ditto! Fortunately, I have found a wonderful community at St. Ann's. We will be relocating from Troy to Watervliet, in about one month. You are welcome to join us for Sunday Mass (still in Troy), at 10:30 am.
I don't know if you have followed the history of Hubbard's destruction of this diocese. Back in 94, the Wanderer Press did a 10 part series entitled "Agony in Albany". You can read the pdf file here.
Bishop Hubbard turns 75, one year from yesterday. Let's pray that our Holy Father Pope Benedict, will send us a solidly orthodox bishop to rebuild the diocese.