Alfred Clifton Hughes

Alfred Clifton Hughes (born December 2, 1932) is an American Catholic prelate who served as archbishop of New Orleans in Louisiana from 2002 to 2009.

Hughes previously served as bishop of Baton Rouge in Louisiana from 1993 to 2002 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston in Massachusetts from 1981 to 1993

Biography

Early life Hughes was born on December 2, 1932, in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, as the third of the four children of Alfred and Ellen (née Hennessey) Hughes. He had two older sisters, Dorothy Callahan and Marie Morgan, and a younger brother, a Jesuit priest named Kenneth. Deciding to become a priest, Alfred Hughes entered St. John's Seminary College in Boston, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1954. He then furthered his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Priesthood Hughes was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Martin John O'Connor for the Archdiocese of Boston in Rome on December 15, 1957. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Hughes to pastoral work in parishes before sending him back to the Gregorian in 1959. He obtained a obtain a doctorate in spiritual theology in 1961. Upon his return to the United States, he became a professor, as well as spiritual director and lecturer, at St. John's Seminary in 1962.

Questions were raised concerning Hughes's handling of child sexual abuse cases by the clergy, in both Boston and New Orleans, and he was widely criticized for attempting to cover up such abuse, including trying to “perpetuate a practice of utmost secrecy and confidentiality with respect to the problem” . For this, he apologized and said, “Our action or inaction failed to protect the innocents among us, the children. I ask for forgiveness."

In April 2009, Hughes was among a group of American bishops who criticized the University of Notre Dame's decision to award US President Barack Obama an honorary doctorate at graduation exercises that Spring. The reasons Include Obama's support for abortion rights for women and other issues viewed as incompatible with Catholic teachings.

That same month, Hughes refused to attend commencement exercises at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans because author Donna Brazile, a supporter of abortion rights, received an honorary degree during the ceremony.

Resignation and Legacy On June 12, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Hughes' resignation as archbishop of New Orleans. He was succeeded by Gregory Aymond. Hughes continued to serve as apostolic administrator until August 20, 2009.

In his retirement, Hughes remained active as a professor and spiritual director at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and through ministry at Project Lazarus, a ministry to those with AIDS.