Retired Albany bishop Howard Hubbard, 84, marries woman

Retired Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard, who was accused of sexual abuse and unsuccessfully tried to leave the priesthood, said Tuesday that he’s taken a bride.

The Catholic church does not recognize the 84-year-old’s marriage, which was legally recognized in a July civil ceremony, according to the Associated Press.

Current Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger said the news of his former colleague’s nuptials was “unexpected” even though Hubbard, who retired in 2014, no longer acts as a priest.

“He remains a retired Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and therefore cannot enter into marriage,” Scharfenberger said in a letter to the diocese.

In 2021, Hubbard acknowledged helping to cover up sexual abuse allegations against priests, but insists he never abused minors. Last November, Pope Francis declined Hubbard’s request to be secularized, which would have made him a layperson no longer bound to a vow of celibacy.

Hubbard told the Vatican he’d “fallen in love with a wonderful woman,” but was informed his request to leave the church was being denied while legal challenges involving him were still pending.

Priests accused of sexual misconduct lose their power to participate in the church’s ministry. The diocese faces hundreds of sexual abuse allegations.

[ New lawsuit seeks court order forcing Catholic Church to disclose ‘secret’ lists of pedophile priests and brothers in New York ]

The newlywed octogenarian told reporters that his “life on the public stage has come to an end” and asked for privacy. He ran the diocese in New York’s Capital District for 37 years.

A representative for Hubbard declined further comment.

With News Wire Services