Howard Hubbard’s funeral has sparked controversy, a fitting end to a tenure riddled with controversy. While I won’t go into exhaustive detail about Hubbard’s role in local child sexual abuse scandals, it is well-documented. Furthermore, Hubbard himself has faced allegations of abuse, which he vehemently denied. In the weeks leading up to his passing, Hubbard’s personal life took a surprising turn.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the positive aspects of Hubbard’s life as well. His work with the poor and the addicted had a lasting impact on this region. Many people had their lives changed thanks to his efforts, which embodied the message of Jesus and the church. Unfortunately, these aspects were not emphasized during Hubbard’s funeral, causing frustration among family members who condemned the muted homily delivered by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger.
It’s important to consider the challenging situation that Scharfenberger faced during the funeral. The audience consisted of grieving family members, survivors of sexual abuse, and even Hubbard’s recently wedded wife despite the Vatican’s rejection of a laicization request. Given this extraordinary context, it was inevitable that the funeral would be awkward. Scharfenberger had to navigate a delicate balance, trying to please everyone while acknowledging the gravity of the sexual abuse scandal.
Scharfenberger opted to focus on the present and the future rather than dwell on the past. He acknowledged Hubbard’s failures without explicitly addressing the abuse scandals or his role in allowing abusive priests back into the ministry. Overall, it was a lovely homily centered on hope, God’s love, and mercy. Scharfenberger aimed to align the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany’s response with the broader Catholic public’s expectations in light of Hubbard’s marriage.
Some attendees appreciated the grace of Scharfenberger’s homily, while others felt he was avoiding directly addressing his predecessor. Engelman, one of Hubbard’s nephews, understood the difficulties faced by the bishop but believed Scharfenberger fell short in addressing the grief of the attendees. In the statement released by the family, they expressed their concerns and received significant public support.
While it is important to grant Hubbard the presumption of innocence, it’s questionable whether he truly reestablished the moral standing of the church as claimed by the family. During a meeting six years ago, Hubbard expressed regret over the harm caused by local and national scandals, acknowledging the significant decline in the church’s moral credibility. Rebuilding this credibility falls on the next generation of church leaders, including Scharfenberger.
In conclusion, Scharfenberger faced a challenging situation during Hubbard’s funeral. Balancing the diverse interests and sensitivities of the attendees was no easy task. While some appreciated his homily, others felt it lacked a direct acknowledgment of their grief. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the next generation of church leaders to rebuild the church’s moral credibility.
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