Please pray that God might have mercy on his eternal soul.
A scandal-plagued U.S. prelate has passed away, one day after being hospitalized for a stroke.
Retired Albany bishop Howard Hubbard died today at age 84. This comes just weeks after news broke that Hubbard civilly married a woman.
Albany’s current bishop, Edward Scharfenberger, released the following statement:
The life of a priest is never about himself but for those whom he serves, to whom he is sent. As we commend our brother, Howard Hubbard, to the God of all mercy, we pray also for all those who, throughout the course of his life, as priest, bishop and friend, were inspired and encouraged along their own journey, especially those who received the sacraments through his ministry. Priests are called to sanctify, to “make holy,” to lift others up to God. As all priests are human, broken men, in need of redemption themselves from their own sins, we also pray for those who were in any way hurt or wounded by any priest they may have encountered. We join with everyone who can see this moment as an occasion to pray for all priests, living and deceased, and those they serve, to lift up our minds and hearts to the one God who alone knows our hearts and seeks the salvation of us all.
As Church Militant noted earlier this month, Hubbard has been accused of sexual abuse and was facing several lawsuits filed under New York’s Child Victims Act. Hubbard has also admitted to shuffling predator priests between parishes and failing to report abuse allegations to police.
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