Deposition from former Albany bishop released in diocese abuse investigation

Former Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard was questioned last April by attorneys representing people who claim they were sexually abused by priests in the Albany Diocese. The deposition that Hubbard gave under oath was made public on Friday.

Between 1977 and 2002, Hubbard said he received reports about 11 priests who were accused of sexually assaulting children.

Some of those priests were sent for treatment and then allowed to return to the ministry without the public’s knowledge.

When asked why he did not contact the police, Hubbard answered, "Because I am not a mandated reporter."

He says he wanted to avoid scandal and out of respect for the priesthood. Hubbard has also faced allegations of sexually abusing children, but denies it ever happened. He retired in 2014.

He wrote a letter to the Times Union last August, admitting that the church had failed to fully understand the impacts on victims and survivors.

Based on that letter, a request was filed to release his sworn deposition.

MORE: Bishop Howard Hubbard deposition transcript

The Diocese of Albany released this statement to NewsChannel 13:

"Our priority is the protection and assistance of victim/survivors and the discovery of the truth. The wounds persist, the accompaniment continues, the denial and cover up does not.

As we stated earlier, while we cannot offer detailed information on historic events that occurred long ago, we can with absolute conviction say that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany takes all allegations of abuse seriously and remains committed to uncovering the truth without fear or favor.

The Diocese has and continues to resolve pending claims of victims/survivors in mediations with the assistance of the court. We have settled claims with the intent to provide assistance to victims/survivors through mediation with their attorneys and the court."

Kevin Keenan

Interim Director of Communications

Diocese of Albany