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From the (Albany) Times Union Blog

I will make this one final update to this post on this busy day for the Roman Catholic Church in Albany! I viewed a livestream of the press conference with Bishop Hubbard and Bishop-Elect Scharfenberger at 11am. Bishop Hubbard was his typically gracious and funny self, speaking about how glad he was to know that Bishop-Elect Scharfenberger would be our new shepherd. He offered him some gifts, including a purple zuchetto that belonged to Bishop Edwin Broderick, and also a Mets cap, and a map of our physically large diocese.

Bishop-Elect Scharfenberger started with a prayer, and then offered his own equally funny, gracious and informative words in return. It was moving to hear his speak about his 93 year old parents, and his great gratitude for them. He then took some questions. As I am at work, I missed some of them, but I did hear someone ask what would happen between now and April 10, which will be the date of his episcopal ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception here in Albany. In a very wise reply, he said that the diocese was in good hands, and that he had a lot to do in Brooklyn, so that he would probably “make himself scarce” until April 10th. He seems easy going, funny, and warm; clearly he has a pastoral side.

So let us pray for both men, and for those who will miss Bishop-Elect Scharfenberger, for the Bishop-Elect as he transitions, for our diocese and for Bishop Hubbard as he starts retired life!

Inside Scoop

Bishop Hubbard received a letter from the Vatican yesterday, confirming his resignation and requesting that he remain in place until a successor could be named. The same priest who made that statement, was shocked by the announcement this morning. There was a scramble to issue statements, both short, from Hubbard and Scharfenberger. The following is from the Official Press Release, issued by the Diocese of Albany, earlier today.

Bishop-elect Scharfenberger attended Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Elementary School in Ridgewood and graduated from Cathedral Preparatory Seminary High School, Elmhurst in 1965. He entered Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston and graduated as an English major in June of 1968. The following fall he was assigned to study theology at the North American College in Rome, Italy where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology (S.T.B. summa cum laude) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1972.
Bishop-elect Scharfenberger was ordained a priest on July 2, 1973 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, by Bishop James A. Hickey, later Cardinal-Archbishop of Washington DC. He served as Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) at St. Stanislaus Church (Maspeth) and St. Ephrem Church (Dyker Heights) until 1976. He then was assigned to return to Rome for further studies. In 1977 he earned his S.T.L., summa cum laude, in Moral Theology from the Academy of St. Alphonsus. He was then assigned to the Catholic University of America where, in 1980, he earned his J.C.L. summa cum laude in Canon Law. He then served in a number of capacities in the Diocesan Tribunal of Brooklyn for 20 years. Between 1986 and 1990 he attended Fordham University School of Law where he earned his J.D. in May of 1990. He is admitted to the bar in New York (1991). Between 1993 and 2002 he served as the Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Brooklyn. A Judicial Vicar usually oversees the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and serves as chief canonical advisor to the bishop. During his years at the Diocesan Tribunal he also exercised pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills and at St. Matthew Church in Dix Hills. He has been the Administrator of the Diocesan Board of Mediation and Arbitration for the past 15 years as well as chaplain of the Kings County Catholic Lawyers Guild. He has served as instructor in Moral Theology at the diocesan Pastoral Institute and as an Adjunct Professor at St. Joseph’s College.
In 2002 Bishop-elect Scharfenberger was appointed Pastor of St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood, a large multi-ethnic parish, where he served for 12 years. During this time he also served as Promoter of Justice for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and was a member of the Diocesan Review Board for Sexual Abuse of Minors. His most recent assignments included Vicar for Strategic Planning, and Episcopal Vicar for Queens.

You draw your own conclusions.

Thank you NYer!! This is the first news I had heard of this appointment. Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - who told Bernadette Soubouris(sp?) that she(the Lady in the Grotto) is to be known as the Immaculate Conception.

I am so pleased - my daughter who is to be confirmed in April will be confirmed by the New Bishop!! I had prayed for this.

what’s he going to do with all the pink ladies.

Late to this thread, but has anyone read Bishop-Elect Edward Scharfenberger’s pro-life writings on the internet? They are outstanding. He has also prayed in front of abortion clinics.