"Former Bishop Howard Hubbard Ties the Knot After Vatican Denies Request to Leave Priesthood"

Former Bishop Howard Hubbard, who applied to the Vatican last year to be relieved of his priestly obligations, has married a Capital Region woman in a civil ceremony. The Vatican denied his request and encouraged him to wait until civil lawsuits related to alleged sexual abuse against him had been resolved. It is unclear what will happen to Hubbard's standing in the Catholic Church, as priests are not currently allowed to marry. Current Bishop Edward Scharfenberger stated that the Church does not recognize Hubbard's marriage as valid.