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Records were created under disciplinary procedures mandated by Pope Francis to govern investigations of child sexual abuse allegations against bishopsALBANY — The Archdiocese of New York is waging a legal battle to block the disclosure of more than 1,400 pages of internal records related to its investigations of Howard J. Hubbard, who served as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany from 1977 to 2014. The records are being sought in connection with a Child Victims Act case filed against Hubbard, the Albany diocese and deceased former priest Francis P. Melfe, who like Hubbard is a target of multiple...

In a deposition released March 25, the former Bishop of Albany admitted that he did not report several instances of alleged sexual abuse of minors by priests, instead choosing to keep the allegations quiet and to refer the priests for treatment. Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard, who led the diocese from 1977 until 2014, is himself facing allegations of abuse — which he denies — as well as numerous lawsuits filed under New York’s 2019 Child Victims Act. That legislation set up a one-year window, since extended until August 2021, for clergy sex abuse lawsuits in cases where the statute of...

Interfaith Worker Justice Bishop Howard Hubbard Vice President of the Board

New York’s budget-cutting Gov. Andrew Cuomo may have found himself in hot water with the Catholic Church. Dr. Edward Peters, a consultant to the Vatican’s highest court of canon law, told CNS News that Cuomo committed an “objectively sacrilegious” act that “produces grave scandal” when he received communion on New Year’s Day. Cuomo, a Democrat, is pro-choice and supports gay marriage, two positions the church vocally opposes. Of serious concern to Peters, however, is that Cuomo, who divorced Robert Kennedy’s daughter Kerry eight years ago, is currently living with Food Network host Sandra Lee. “Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York,...

ALBANY -- A distraught clergy sex abuse victim has threatened to kill Bishop Howard Hubbard if his alleged abuser is cleared of sexual misconduct allegations, according to attorney John Aretakis.Without naming the victim or the priest, Aretakis sent a Jan. 15 letter to Hubbard's lawyer, Michael Costello, apprising him of the threat. Aretakis, who represents a number of clergy sex abuse victims, said he does not think the threat is credible, but said he still felt a warning to Hubbard was warranted."I feel a moral obligation to pass this information on," Aretakis said in the letter. "Please (tell) Bishop Hubbard...

Albany -- Parishioners wear purple ribbons to show support for Hubbard in face of sex allegations Parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul Church are wearing purple ribbons to show support for Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard as he fights allegations of sexual misconduct. Roman Catholics at several area parishes rallied around the bishop over the weekend after he was accused of having sexual relations in the 1970s with a young man who later committed suicide. Saturday worshippers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception placed about 50 votive candles around the bishop's chair. Sunday, parishioners at St. Vincent's donned purple ribbons....

Statement by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard First published: Friday, February 6, 2004 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...