Accused Priest: Bishop Howard James Hubbard

Lawsuits Against Bishop Howard J. Hubbard

As of March 2021, seven priest abuse lawsuits have been filed against Hubbard. These filings were made possible under the New York Child Victims Act. These lawsuits claim Hubbard and several other priests sexually abused minors. An additional lawsuit claims Hubbard covered up child sex abuse committed by another priest. 

Hubbard has denied all bishop abuse allegations. However, following the first lawsuit, Hubbard did announce his decision to take a leave of absence from public ministry until matters are resolved. 

Vatican Investigation Of Hubbard

Due to his status as a bishop, Hubbard is also under investigation according to Vos estis lux mundi. 

In May 2019, Pope Francis published Vos estis lux mundi — which literally translates to “You are the Light of the World.” This apostolic letter addressed the ongoing child sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. It also established procedures for investigating abuse allegations against bishops. 

Under Vos estis, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York will investigate the abuse claims against Hubbard. The investigation is currently on hold until the civil cases against Hubbard are resolved. 

Hubbard isn’t the only New York State priest under investigation. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is also being investigated under the procedures listed in Vos estis. Like Hubbard, DiMarzio is facing multiple allegations of child sex abuse. 

Other Sexual Abuse Accusations Against Hubbard

In 2004, a man accused Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of engaging in a sexual relationship with the man’s younger brother. The younger brother committed suicide in 1978. According to the allegations against Hubbard, the alleged relationship contributed to the younger brother’s decision to take his own life. 

Less than a week later, Hubbard faced a second sexual misconduct allegation. A former male prostitute claimed Hubbard paid him for sexual acts twice. Hubbard was named in several other allegations of sexual relations with men and minors. However, some of the sources of these allegations later recanted their claims of the alleged abuse. 

The New York District Attorney declined to investigate the allegations. Thus, the Diocese of Albany hired an independent investigative team, led by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, to look into the allegations. 

The investigation concluded after four months. The investigative team found no credible evidence of the allegations. Furthermore, the final report noted that the investigative team found “no credible evidence to substantiate the allegations that Bishop Hubbard ever led a homosexual lifestyle or engaged in homosexual relations at any time.”

The Life Of Howard Hubbard

Howard James Hubbard was born in Troy, New York, on October 31, 1938. 

Education

Hubbard attended St. Patrick’s School and La Salle Institute in Troy, New York.

In 1956, he entered Mater Christi Minor Seminary in Albany, New York. He earned a philosophy degree from St. Joseph’s Seminary and College. Additionally, Hubbard attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. 

He would later attend the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., for postgraduate studies in social services.

Priesthood

On December 18, 1963, Hubbard was ordained at the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome, Italy. He became a priest for the Diocese of Albany.

Between 1964 and 1977, Hubbard served in various positions in and around Albany, New York:

Position	Assignment/Parish	Location
Associate Pastor	St. Joseph's Church	Schenectady, NY
Associate Pastor	Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception	Albany, NY
Chaplain	Kenwood Convent of the Sacred Heart	Albany, NY
Vicar General	Diocese of Albany	Albany, NY
Administrator	Diocese of Albany	Albany, NY

Hubbard Appointed Bishop of Albany Diocese

On February 1, 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed Hubbard as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. He was the ninth bishop to hold the position. At 38 years old, he was also the youngest Catholic Church bishop in the United States at the time. On March 27, 1977, Hubbard was ordained as a bishop at Siena College in Loudonville, New York.

In 2013, at the age of 75, Hubbard submitted his required resignation to Pope Francis to initiate his retirement. The Vatican accepted Hubbard’s resignation in 2014 and appointed his successor.

Hubbard remains a Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Albany in his retirement.

Abused By Bishop Hubbard Or A Priest Like Him? We Can Help You Seek Justice

In every state, survivors abused by Catholic clergy members have come forward with allegations. As state lawmakers expand the legal deadlines for child sexual abuse claims, survivors are taking legal action.

If you were abused by a Catholic priest, a bishop or another clergy member, you may have legal rights to seek compensation—even if that abuse happened decades ago.

Our law partners, The Meneo Law Group, will help you determine your legal options and treat your case with the sensitivity it deserves.

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