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Bishop's press conference statement (6/26/04) The following is the text of Bishop Hubbard's statement at a press conference, held June 26 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany: Four months ago, I came before you to say that I have honored my commitment to celibacy, that I have never abused anyone in any way and that I have told the truth. But, this afternoon, I am different from the man who stood here on February 5, 2004. It has been a profoundly painful and disillusioning experience to be falsely accused, and to see and hear those falsehoods repeated over and over again, hundreds of times, in the media. I knew that I was innocent, but at times I was plagued by the fear that, with so many falsehoods being spread, the truth might not be found. I commend the Diocesan Review Board for choosing investigators of the highest caliber in Mary Jo White and her team, and I am grateful for the thoroughness and professionalism of the investigation they conducted. I said on February 5th that my life had been an open book. But I must tell you that nothing in my prior experience had prepared me for what was ahead. I was asked for and provided to the investigators my personnel and seminary files, my medical records, my checking and credit card accounts, my phone and cable bills, my phone messages, my correspondence, my secretaries' notes, my calendars, my computer hard drive, the mail I sent, and the mail I received. I also submitted to a polygraph examination. My colleagues, friends and associates were interviewed, as were individuals who disagree with various aspects of my leadership of the Diocese. I am grateful to all who came forth to meet with the investigators, to offer any information they had and to answer their questions. This has been the greatest trial of my adult life. But every day of the last four months has been brightened by my brothers and sisters in our Church, and by the hundreds of people in the community, persons of all faiths, who reached out to me in friendship and prayer. I shall never forget their words of encouragement, support and good humor. The love and support of my family and friends have been a rock. Though I would never have chosen this experience -- no one would -- I have come, in the past few months, to recognize its value in my life. I now more fully appreciate the role of suffering in our human existence. Only by experiencing the complete loss of control over one's life do we truly see that we are in God's care at all times. The adversity and turmoil of the last four months have saddened many hearts, perhaps robbed some of their faith. Conversely, for me, they have had the effect of affirming my faith. I have seen more clearly the goodness of people, the power of prayer, and the wisdom of putting one's troubles in God's hands. I believe the individuals who made and sponsored these false allegations are in pain, and I believe they may attribute their pain to me as head of the Church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. I am praying for them, and I will continue to pray for them. I hope before long their hearts will be filled with peace, and I hope they will pray for me as well. Let me be clear: The false allegations against me did not materialize in a vacuum. They are, at least in part, a product of the rampant anger over the way our Church -- and individual Church leaders, including myself -- mishandled the problem of clergy sexual abuse of minors in the past. My suffering, as painful as it has been, in no way compares to the pain and anguish of true victims of clergy sexual abuse. For four months, their cause, unfortunately, has been obscured by the false accusations against me. I quote from the report of the White investigation, page 167: "The allegations and conduct we have seen serve only to retard the discovery and remediation of legitimate allegations of sexual abuse by the clergy. We sincerely hope that this Report will lead in some way to the opening of new avenues of civil discussion, and a re-examination of the parties' respective conduct, in an effort to find common ground where the emphasis is on assisting actual victims of clergy sexual abuse." To me, this is a very sad -- yet very accurate -- assessment. We as a Church have two pressing obligations in this matter: First, to keep children safe by preventing sexual abuse. Second, to provide compassion, support and assistance to those who as minors were sexually victimized by members of the clergy. Last year, an independent national audit found that we in the Albany Diocese were meeting our obligations on both counts. But on the second especially -- our outreach to victims -- I believe we still have more to do. This Diocese will provide financial and other assistance to actual victims. The amount of money spent on the White investigation, whatever it may be, will not compromise the financial resources available to support victims. That is why, at my request, former New York Court of Appeals Judge Howard Levine is now in the final stages of developing an overall approach to investigating claims of abuse and providing assistance for individuals who were sexually abused as minors by clergy of our Diocese. Judge Levine has advised me that, after several months of consultation with victims, attorneys and other experts in the field, he will be ready to implement his program shortly. For my own part, I recommit myself to do everything in my power to help and support individuals who were victimized as minors. I want every victim to know -- and I will find the proper way to communicate this to them -- that I want to sit down with each of them, one-on-one, and say, on behalf of the Diocese and our Church, I am sorry for the pain and anguish they have suffered. I have met with many victims of clergy sexual abuse over the years. I hope those with whom I have not met will give me the opportunity to apologize in person. Until we as a Church have reconciled with the victims of clergy sexual abuse, our work will not be finished. I am 65 years old. I have been a priest for 40 years, Bishop for 27. It has been and is a wonderful ministry. I hope that God will continue to allow me to serve the people of the Albany Diocese for many years, and to use whatever gifts I have to bring joy, peace and healing to people and to our Church. Perhaps I can use what I have learned through this ordeal to ease the suffering of others. I love the priesthood, and I look forward to my work every day, energized by the opportunity to help people on their life's journey. I'm troubled by the mistakes we have made but thankful for the opportunity to apologize, to show that we recognize our human flaws and to do better. I'm not put off by differences among us over doctrinal and social issues. I am encouraged by the search for common ground among people of good will. I am very optimistic about the future, especially when each year I meet thousands of young people around the Diocese at Confirmation. What I see in them is the joyful love of God and wellspring of faith that I pray will be the future of our Church. I am overwhelmed by the good that goes on in this world and in our own Diocese. I want to do more of it, encourage more if it, celebrate more of it and help others to see it. (6/24/04) |