Diocese of
Albany, New York
The Diocese of Albany (“the Diocese”), which was established on April 24, 1847, encompasses 15 counties in northern New York. It consists of 181 parishes and 29 missions, 101 deacons, 267 diocesan priests, four colleges and universities, 40 schools, and a population of 400,000 registered Catholics. The Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, who was installed as bishop on February 1, 1977, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of September 22-26, 2003.

The information set forth herein represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has established an outreach program that has been in place since 1990 and revised as required. The bishop, or his designee, has met on 19 occasions with victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who have reported the abuse since June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Theresa Rodrigues, who is a trained psychiatric social worker. The diocesan review board was established in 1993, consisting of eight members with varied backgrounds and education that are relevant to the tasks of the board. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form, including full-page ads in newspapers and announcements on five radio stations. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities pertaining to matters of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, including reporting procedures requested by local district attorneys. The Diocese has a procedure in effect to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. Its communications policy reflects the bishop’s commitment to openness and transparency relating to matters of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Diocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Diocese has selected and implemented the VIRTUS program to facilitate safe environment training. Standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as for diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other persons in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people, have been publicized. The Diocese utilizes Choice Point to conduct background checks on parish and diocesan personnel who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him to another ministerial assignment. Two retired/dismissed priests have taken up residency in other dioceses, and those bishops have been appropriately notified. On numerous occasions, the bishop has met with provincials and/or delegates to discuss and coordinate their separate roles concerning allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy. The Diocese has cooperated with Siena College in conducting research pertaining to sexual abuse of minors. Systematic and ongoing screening and evaluation techniques are employed by the Diocese to select candidates for ordination. The Diocese has a systematic, ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).¹

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Albany was found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 of Section I.

Note

1. USCCB, Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2001).

The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




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Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org