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In shockingly frank deposition, former bishop admits moving alleged abusers from treatment to ministry

Bishop Howard Hubbard Abuse

Title: In shockingly frank deposition, former bishop admits moving alleged abusers from treatment to ministry
Author: Kevin Clarke
Publisher: America Magazine
Date: 04APR2022

In testimony conducted over four days in April 2021, Bishop Howard Hubbard, the former leader of the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., described in unusually frank terms how he moved diocesan priests who had been accused of molesting children in and out of treatment centers and back into ministry. He admitted that the transfers were consistently made without informing local police, families of abuse victims or Catholics in Albany’s parishes, where the men were reassigned.

Bishop Hubbard testified that parishioners were told that their pastors had been removed for “treatment” with no further explanation.

“My perspective is we did not reveal the reason for his treatment,” Bishop Hubbard told Jeff Anderson, the lead attorney for one of the survivors suing the diocese, in reference to one priest.
“And the reason for his treatment was he had been accused of sexually abusing a minor, correct?” Mr. Anderson asked.

“That is correct,” answered the bishop, who led the diocese from 1977 until 2014, answered.

Mr. Anderson pressed further. “As a matter of practice and protocol, you as the bishop were required to keep that secret to avoid scandal and protect the reputation of the church, of the diocese, correct?” he asked.

“I think both were reasons for not disclosing fully the reason for his treatment,” Bishop Hubbard responded, after clarifying objections from his attorney.

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