Jupin was “granted voluntary leave of absence from ministry” in May 2003 by then-Bishop Howard Hubbard amid allegations of sexual abuse, said diocesan spokeswoman Mary DeTurris Poust, adding that she believes the allegations claimed he had abused two teenagers in Schenectady in the 1970s. Jupin, she said, was later reinstated, following an investigation.

Under a new policy of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, no one can access personnel records alone, said spokeswoman Mary DeTurris Poust. Only the diocesan chancellor and archivist now have access to personnel files, and only if they are together. 

Until this year, the two alleged victims of Gerald Miller had been unable to take legal action against the former priest who gave sermons in Altamont and the Hilltowns. The passage of the Child Victims Act has allowed them to move forward with this, said their attorney.

Convicting perpetrators who now remain safe — shielded by a short statute of limitation — would stop them from hurting other children.