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Diocese rejects allegations A woman who identified herself only as "Donna" told the news media last week that in 1984, when she was in her 30s and married, she engaged in multiple sexual relations with an Augustinian seminarian who was assigned at the time to the Albany Diocese. He was ordained a priest in May 1984 and left the Diocese two months later. The Albany Diocese released a statement that said, "As we had done in the past, we again apologize to the woman, her family and anyone who was hurt by this reprehensible conduct. We are profoundly sorry for the suffering that his actions caused." When the Diocese learned what had happened, it responded positively to her request for counseling. "She also asked for and received compensation from the Augustinian Order and the Diocese," said the Diocese. "She was represented by an attorney and signed a voluntary agreement to resolve the matter." That agreement required confidentiality on the part of all parties; she admitted to the media that she was violating the agreement by speaking publicly. Last year, the Diocese revised its policy and no longer requires confidentiality when settlements are reached. The Diocese flatly denied "Donna's" allegation that Bishop Howard J. Hubbard sat in on her counseling sessions. "Bishop Hubbard met with the woman on several occasions," the statement from the Diocese explained. "At her request and as part of the healing process, he did meet with her and her counselor; but these were not situations where he was sitting in on this person's individual therapy." In an extensive interview about the sexual abuse of children that appeared in the March 13 issue of The Evangelist, Bishop Hubbard said: "It's been my policy to meet with any victim who wants to see me. I have met with numerous victims over the course of 26 years as bishop. I am still willing to meet with victims....I've always tried to hear what victims have to say, to apologize for the harm that was done, and to let them know that we regret the terrible trauma they suffered and want to provide counseling and support to them so they can find healing." (The complete interview with the Bishop is available under the "Bishop's Column" menu on this site's main page.) (4/3/2003) |