At the funeral Mass for Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany said that there is “much to be celebrated,” from Hubbard’s life, while also acknowledging that his predecessor “was not an uncontroversial figure at times.” Scharfenberger made the comments during his homily at the funeral Mass, held at the parish of St. … Read more
NOTE: This article was originally published on March 18, 2023. Earlier last week, Stephen Mittler, who was repeatedly abused by a Catholic priest in the 1980s and ‘90s, met in Washington, D.C., with some of the church’s most powerful leaders. Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany’s Bishop Edward Scharfenberger accompanied Mittler during the meetings. In one … Read more
The Diocese of Albany, New York, has at least temporarily banned the Traditional Latin Mass at two parishes to comply with an order issued by the Vatican last week. Effective immediately, parish churches in the diocese are prohibited from celebrating the Latin Mass in accordance with the “Missale Romanum” of 1962, according to a statement … Read more
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany quietly reached a $750,000 settlement agreement last month with a 47-year-old upstate man who accused a former priest of sexually abusing him as a child. Stephen Mittler’s case – involving allegations that serial sex abuser and former Albany priest Mark Haight, 73, abused him for over a decade – … Read more
People often associate the term “sex trafficking” with women or minors being transported across international borders to be used as sex slaves for high-paying clients. What many do not realize is that Catholic seminarians are also being trafficked for sexual purposes by priests or bishops. Foreign-born young men have come to the United States to study for the … Read more
The Guilderland and Minnesota law firms teaming up to represent the victims in these cases have previously filed 22 such lawsuits and say they are preparing 36 more. Other law firms are separately bringing similar cases. The state Legislature last year opened a one-year window for sex abuse victims to sue for incidents alleged to … Read more
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has taken legal action seeking to stop all outstanding clergy sexual abuse lawsuits while it navigates bankruptcy proceedings in federal court. The diocese filed a motion in federal bankruptcy court on Saturday seeking an injunction on lawsuits filed under New York’s Child Victims Act. About 250 lawsuits have been … Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo declared bankruptcy as it looks to settle over 250 lawsuits filed under the state’s modified Child Victims Act law “We have no more urgent work than to bring about justice and healing for those harmed by the scourge of sexual abuse,” said Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, the apostolic administrator of … Read more
Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany, whom Pope Francis appointed with oversight of the scandal-ridden Diocese of Buffalo until a new bishop is selected, has come under fire for concelebrating Mass Feb. 24 with priests credibly accused of sexual abuse. The invitation-only event for priests, held at St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish in Amherst and … Read more
Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany, New York, is in a tough spot. Appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo after the resignation of Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Scharfenberger is the public face of the Church in a place riddled with scandal and in dire need of urgent repair. But he apparently has little power to effect reform and little information with … Read more