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His Excellency, The Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard
Bishop Emeritus of Albany
Hubbard at his retirement party in 2014
Diocese	Albany
Appointed	February 1, 1977
Installed	March 27, 1977
Retired	April 10, 2014
Predecessor	Edwin B. Broderick
Successor	Edward Bernard Scharfenberger
Orders
Ordination	December 18, 1963 by Martin John O'Connor
Consecration	March 27, 1977 by Terence Cooke, Edwin Broderick, and Edward Joseph Maginn
Personal details
Born	(1938-10-31)October 31, 1938 Troy, New York, U.S.
Died	August 19, 2023(2023-08-19) (aged 84) Albany, New York, U.S.
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Spouse	Jennifer Barrie (m. July 2023-his death)
Motto	Rejoice, we are God’s people

Styles of Howard James Hubbard
Reference style	His Excellency The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Bishop

Howard James Hubbard (October 31, 1938 – August 19, 2023) was an American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Albany from 1977 to 2014.

Biography

Early life

Howard Hubbard was born on October 31, 1938, in Troy, New York, to Howard and Elizabeth Hubbard. He attended St. Patrick's School and La Salle Institute in Troy, entering Mater Christi Seminary in 1956. He furthered his studies at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York, obtaining a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He then attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Priesthood

While in Rome, Hubbard was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Albany by Archbishop Martin John O'Connor on December 18, 1963. He engaged in graduate study in the field of social services at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

After his ordination, Hubbard served as associate pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Schenectady, New York, and at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Albany, New York. Hubbard also founded Hope House (a drug rehabilitation center) and Providence House (a crisis intervention center) and served as a "street priest" in Albany's South End. He served as vicar general of the diocese from 1976 to 1977.

Bishop of Albany

On February 2, 1977, Hubbard was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Albany by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on March 27, 1977. He was the youngest bishop in the country at the time, and was dubbed "the boy bishop."

Hubbard served as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for International Justice and Peace and on the Subcommittees on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Church in Africa. He also served on other national bishops’ committees, including the Committees on Human Values, Marriage and the Family, Communication, Laity and North American College.

Hubbard was appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Vatican's Secretariat for Non-Christians (later known as the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue). He was a supporter of the ecumenical movement, serving as Roman Catholic Co-chair of the Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation. Under his leadership as bishop, the Diocese of Albany maintained an active Catholic-Jewish dialogue.

During his tenure as bishop, Hubbard presided over a nearly $20 million renovation project at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He also led a parish consolidation process—known as "Called to BE Church"—that resulted in the closing of 33 parishes.

Hubbard had a reputation as a liberal bishop. He was known for progressive views on drug addiction and the prison population, and for advocacy of sometimes unpopular social justice issues. He is also noted for his anti-poverty efforts. Upon becoming bishop, Hubbard sold a large bishop's residence where previous bishops had lived with a domestic staff. He also dispensed with having a car and a driver. In 1992, he began living "in almost monastic simplicity in a nondescript, squat brick building" across the street from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. As of 2013, Hubbard reportedly collected an annual salary of $33,508, the same salary as any diocesan priest with a similar number of years of service. Hubbard once sued to prevent clinics providing abortion services to women from opening in Albany and Hudson, New York. He headed New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, a group opposing capital punishment.

Sexual misconduct allegations against Hubbard

In February 2004, Hubbard was accused of having engaged in homosexual activity with two different men in the 1970s. Hubbard denied both accusations and asserted that he had never broken his vow of celibacy. The diocese hired former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White to investigate them. In June 2004, White released a 200-page report stating that she had found no credible evidence to support the accusations against Hubbard. White said she found "no evidence that Hubbard 'led a homosexual lifestyle, engaged in homosexual relations or visited gay bars'". White indicated that her investigative team had reviewed more than 20,000 documents and conducted over 300 interviews in connection with the Hubbard investigation.

On August 14, 2019, a man filed a civil lawsuit accusing Hubbard of sexually abusing the plaintiff when he was a teenage boy in the 1990s. On August 16, 2019, Hubbard responded, "'With full and complete confidence, I can say this allegation is false. I have never sexually abused anyone in my life. I have trust in the canonical and civil legal processes and believe my name will be cleared in due course.'" Hubbard also announced that he was taking a voluntary leave of absence from public ministry until the matter was resolved. On September 16, 2019, an unnamed woman alleged that Hubbard and two other priests sexually abused her in the rectory of Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady in the late 1970s when she was a teenager. Hubbard denied this accusation as well.

On August 12, 2020, a South Carolina resident accused Hubbard of child sex abuse in a lawsuit filed with the New York Supreme Court. The plaintiff alleged that Hubbard sexually abused him when he was ten years old on a 1975 field trip to West Point. The assault allegedly happened on an empty church bus. The plaintiff said that when he started feeling ill at West Point, Hubbard escorted him back to the bus to rest. Hubbard denied the charges.

Clergy abuse crisis

In 2004, the Diocese of Albany reported that 19 priests had credible accusations of sexual abuse against minors over the past 53 years, and that investigations were pending into allegations involving ten current and former priests. That same year, the diocese created the Independent Mediation Assistance Program to financially assist victims. On March 19, 2011, Hubbard placed three retired priests on administrative leave and removed another from the ministry after receiving allegations of child sexual abuse. Hubbard apologized in 2013 for shortcomings by him and the diocese in responding to the sexual abuse crisis.

Retirement and marriage

Hubbard submitted his required letter of resignation to Pope Francis on October 31, 2013, when he reached the age of 75. On February 11, 2014, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had accepted Hubbard's resignation and appointed as his successor, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger. Hubbard suffered a heart attack in July 2015.

Hubbard suffered a stroke in July 2022.

In November 2022, Hubbard petitioned the Holy See to remove him from the clerical state, explaining that he was already unable to function as a priest due to the diocese's policy of barring any clergy with active investigations from public ministry. The diocese said that was not their policy and that Hubbard had removed himself from active ministry. One publication reported that Hubbard has requested the dispensation so that he would be free to marry.

In July 2023, at the age of 84, Hubbard was married in a civil ceremony to "a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me," as explained in a statement. The current Bishop of Albany, Edward Bernard Scharfenberger, stated that the Catholic Church does not recognize the marriage, since the Vatican had not granted Hubbard's request for laicization. His wife was identified after his death as Jennifer Barrie.

A month later, he suffered a further stroke and was hospitalized. He died on August 19, at the age of 84.

References

1. "About Us: Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard". The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
2. "Retired Albany Bishop Hubbard says he has 'never sexually abused anyone'". National Catholic Reporter. August 19, 2019.
3. "Bishop Hubbard Discusses Psychologists and Social Workers". America Magazine. June 30, 2010.
4. ^ "Bishop Howard Hubbard celebrated 50 years after ordination". The Record (Troy). October 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
5. ^ "Hubbard reflects upon his long tenure as he prepares for retirement". The Record (Troy). October 27, 2013.
6. ^ Grondahl, Paul (September 29, 2013). "Hubbard: I tried to be a compassionate shepherd". Times Union.
7. "Third lawsuit accuses former Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard of sex abuse". Times Union. October 4, 2019.
8. ^ "Hubbard set for peace pilgrimage | The Daily Gazette". dailygazette.com. September 3, 2014.
9. "Pope Names Brooklyn Priest as Bishop of Albany, New York; Names Rockville Centre, New York Priest as Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. February 11, 2014.
10. "Albany Bishop Fights Abuse Allegation". Washington Post. March 4, 2004.
11. Gibson, David (February 2, 2010). "Through the eye of the needle exchange..." Commonweal Magazine.
12. ^ McGrath, Darryl (March 14, 2004). "In Albany, sexual accusations raise a bishop's high profile". Boston Globe.
13. Berger, Joseph (January 13, 1985). "Catholic Bishop Sues on Abortions". The New York Times: 1, 22. PMID 11647359.
14. "Bishop: Suspend the death penalty". Record Online. March 3, 2000.
15. Wakin, Daniel J. (June 25, 2004). "Report Clears Albany Bishop In Sexual Misconduct Inquiry". The New York Times.
16. Stanforth, Lauren (August 14, 2019). "Hubbard's past defenses of abusive priests — and of himself". Times Union.
17. Cropley, John (August 14, 2019). "Bishop Emeritus Hubbard accused of sex abuse". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
18. Hughes, Steve; Silberstein, Rachel; Goodwin, Mike (August 14, 2019). "Lawsuit: Former Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard sexually abused teen". Times Union (Albany). Retrieved August 15, 2019.
19. "In statement, Hubbard denies abuse allegations". Times Union. August 16, 2019.
20. Harris, Cayla; Hughes, Steve (September 17, 2019). "Former Albany bishop denies second abuse claim". Times Union (Albany). Retrieved September 17, 2019.
21. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (August 12, 2020). "Fifth child sex abuse claim filed against former Bishop Howard Hubbard". Times Union. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
22. Zangla, Ariél (July 22, 2021) . "Pain remains for priest who says he was abused as a child". Daily Freeman.
23. "Retired priest removed, 3 on leave". Times Union. March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
24. "Bishop search may take a while". Daily Gazette. November 9, 2013.
25. "Pope names bishop for Albany diocese; Rockville Centre to get auxiliary". National Catholic Reporter. February 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
26. "Brooklyn priest to replace Hubbard as bishop". Daily Gazette. November 2, 2014.
27. Clark, Dartunorro (June 22, 2015). "Former Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard leaves hospital after heart attack". Timesunion.com. Hearst. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
28. Lyons, Brendan J. (July 29, 2022). "Ex-Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard had stroke that led to car crash". timesunion.com. Hearst. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
29. Matvey, Mike (November 18, 2022). "Return To The Lay State". The Evangelist. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
30. "Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard asks Vatican for laicization". The Pillar. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
31. Mulholland, Mark (August 1, 2023). "Former Bishop Howard Hubbard, 84, gets married". WNYT.
32. "Funeral to be held Friday for former Bishop Howard Hubbard". WNYT.com. Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
33. "Retired Bishop Hubbard of Albany is hospitalized after suffering major stroke". National Catholic Reporter. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
34. Lyons, Brendan J. "Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard dies at 84". timesunion.com. Hearst. Retrieved August 19, 2023.

External links

• Diocese of Albany

Episcopal succession

• Biography
• Catholicism
• New York (state)

v t e Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Ordinaries	Bishops John McCloskey John J. Conroy Francis McNeirny Thomas Martin Aloysius Burke Thomas Cusack Edmund Gibbons William Scully Edwin Broderick Howard James Hubbard Edward Bernard Scharfenberger
Churches	Cathedral Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany Parishes Christ Sun of Justice Church, Troy St. Clement's Church, Saratoga Springs St. Mary's Church, Albany St. Mary's Church, Ballston Spa St. Paul the Apostle (All Saints on the Hudson), Mechanicville Saint Stanislaus Parish, Amsterdam Closed/suppressed parishes St. Joseph's Church, Albany St. Mary's Church, Hunter
Education	High schools Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School, Schenectady Saratoga Central Catholic High School, Saratoga Springs Independent schools Academy of the Holy Names Christian Brothers Academy, Albany La Salle Institute, Troy Closed Bishop Maginn High School, Albany Cardinal McCloskey High School, Albany Cathedral Academy, Albany Holy Cross High School, Albany Kenwood Academy, Albany Marylrose Academy, Albany Mercy High School, Albany St. Ann's Academy, Albany St. John's Academy, Albany St. Joseph's Academy, Albany St. Mary's High School, Albany Vincentian Institute, Albany Bishop Scully High School, Amsterdam St. Joseph's High School, Amsterdam St. Mary's High School, Amsterdam St. Patrick's Academy, Catskill Keveny Memorial Academy, Cohoes St. Agnes High School, Cohoes Commercial Academy of the Sacred Heart, Cohoes Sacred Heart High School, Cohoes St. Joseph's Academy, Cohoes St. Patrick's Academy, Cohoes St. Mary's Academy, Glens Falls Bishop Burke High School, Gloversville St. Mary's Academy, Hoosick Falls St. Mary's Academy, Hudson St. Mary's Academy, Little Falls St. John's Academy, Rensselaer Our Lady of the Star Academy, Saratoga Springs Bishop Gibbons High School, Schenectady Notre Dame High School, Schenectady St. Adalbert's High School, Schenectady St. Columba's Academy, Schenectady St. John's Academy, Schenectady St. Joseph's Academy, Schenectady Catholic Central High School (Troy, New York) St. Augustine's Academy, Troy St. Joseph's Academy, Troy St. Mary's Academy, Troy St. Michael's Academy, Troy St. Patrick's Academy, Troy St. Peter's Academy, Troy St. Bridgid's Academy, Watervliet St. Patrick's Academy, Watervliet
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