Retired Bishop marries in a civil ceremony; SNAP Reacts

(For Immediate Release August 1, 2023) 

Disgraced Albany Bishop Hubbard marries in a civil ceremony.

In a bizarre turn of events, Bishop Hubbard, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, has announced he is now married despite ongoing civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. “I have fallen in love with a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me,” Bishop Hubbard, 84, said in the statement. Hubbard's ecclesiastical career, spanning, saw him serve as a priest for 60 years and a bishop for 46 years.

Hubbard’s decision comes after a failed attempt to seek a reversion to the "lay state" or a release from his ecclesiastical responsibilities through a formal appeal to the Vatican.

We are skeptical of Hubbard's motives; his latest move is another attempt to conceal secrets and deceive the public.  "It is astonishing to us the depth of selfishness cowards run to when their back is in the corner," said Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President. "We also cannot help but think of the countless number of victims who'd like relief or to retire and have closure from their lifetime of pain and suffering. Sadly, those who have endured the most harm will never be able to resign from that weight,” said Dougherty.

We stand with the courageous individuals who have come forward to expose Hubbard's alleged misconduct, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency within the Catholic Church. Their actions have provided a sense of security to Albany's Catholic community, which has been deeply affected by these revelations.

As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on supporting the survivors and ensuring that justice is served. We urge the public to stand with the victims and demand a thorough investigation into the allegations against Hubbard.

CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected] 267-261-0578 Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President, (814-341-8386 [email protected])

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)