Former Bishop of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Howard Hubbard has died.

Hubbard was hospitalized Friday after suffering a stroke. He was 84.

Hubbard was appointed the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Albany in 1977 and served in the role until retiring in 2014 at age 75.

Hubbard denied claims he sexually abused anyone, but acknowledged covering up child sex claims against other clergy while he was under oath in 2021.

In a statement, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger called his predecessor a priest, bishop, and friend, adding in part:

“As all priests are human, broken men, in need of redemption themselves from their own sins, we also pray for those who were in any way hurt or wounded by any priest they may have encountered.”

Hubbard earlier this month announced that he had married a woman in July and asked the Vatican to release him from the priesthood, a request…