Bishop Michael Bransfield Story Archives - Page 2 of 3

West Virginia's New Catholic Bishop Set to Be Installed

West Virginia’s new Roman Catholic bishop is set to be installed this week.

A ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling for the Most Rev. Mark Brennan, who previously was auxiliary bishop of Baltimore.

The Wheeling-Charleston diocese includes nearly 75,000 Catholics and 95 parishes and encompasses the entire state of West Virginia.

Brennan vowed at an introductory news conference last month to work toward restoring faith in the diocese after a scandal over the former bishop’s sexual harassment of adults and lavish spending of church money.

Pope Francis named the 72-year-old Brennan to replace Bishop Michael Bransfield, who resigned in September 2018 after a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.

Pope Francis Bans Former W.Va. Bishop from Public Ministry, Residing in State

Following an investigation into a West Virginia bishop for sexual and financial misconduct, the Vatican has banned him from public ministry and handed down other sanctions.

According to a letter from the pope’s diplomatic mission to the United States, former Bishop Michael Bransfield has been banned from presiding over or participating in public worship.

The letter, which was posted Friday to the website of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, also states Bransfield is banned from living in the jurisdiction, which includes the entire state of West Virginia. Under the direction of a new bishop, Bransfield is also obligated to “make personal amends for some of the harm he caused.”

Bransfield stepped down in September 2018 after allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct, including gifting hundreds of thousands in cash to other Catholic leaders.

The findings of an internal investigation, released last month by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, found those allegations to be credible.

Three High Ranking Priests Step Down From Leadership Roles in W.Va. Following Investigation

Three priests have resigned from their high-ranking positions in West Virginia, according to a press release from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

The latest news from the Catholic Church in West Virginia follows an ongoing church investigation, which found that high ranking priests enabled predatory and harassing conduct by Former Bishop Michael Bransfield. Bransfield has denied wrongdoing.

Archbishop William Lori announced the resignations on Monday, saying monsignors under Bransfield’s command enabled misconduct and misspending. Monsignors Frederick Annie, Anthony Cincinnati, and Kevin Quirk will step down from their leadership roles, but remain priests. According to the press release, Quirk is also stepping down from his position on the Board of Directors at Wheeling Jesuit University and Wheeling Hospital.

Lori says the following personnel changes are effective immediately:

Father James DeViese Jr., J.C.L., will assume the responsibilities of the Judicial Vicar on an interim basis and oversee the Office of the Tribunal, while continuing in his role as Pastor of St. Patrick (Weston) and St. Boniface (Camden) Parishes and Good Shepherd Mission in Glenville.

Monsignor Joseph Peterson, currently Pastor of St. Michael Parish in Wheeling, will serve as Interim Rector of St. Joseph Cathedral and Reverend Carlos Melocoton Jr. will serve as Pastor of St. Michael.

Fr. Dennis Schuelkens will serve as Interim Director of Clergy Personnel while continuing as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker and Sacred Heart Parishes in Weirton.

Mr. Lawrence Bandi, President of Central Catholic High School in Wheeling will serve as the Archbishop’s representative to Wheeling Hospital. The Archbishop will soon appoint his representative to Wheeling Jesuit University.

“I am grateful to all of these individuals and to my brother priests for their hard work and dedicated service to the Church, especially in these challenging times,” Archbishop Lori said.

Archbishop Didn't Tell Vatican Whole Story on Fallen W.Va. Bishop

The bishop appointed by the Vatican to investigate the former leader of the Roman Catholic Church in West Virginia now has his own explaining to do.

Archbishop William Lori oversaw a probe of alleged sexual and financial misconduct by Bishop Michael Bransfield, who has denied wrongdoing. His team’s confidential findings in February prompted Bransfield’s ouster.

What Lori didn’t say in his final report to the Vatican in March is that he himself is among high-ranking clergy who accepted cash gifts from Bransfield.

The Washington Post reported that before and after versions of the still-secret report show names of Lori and others removed.

With the Post asking questions, Lori’s revealed some more details in a letter Wednesday, and followed up Friday with a video saying redacting the names was a mistake.

Investigation into Former Wheeling Bishop Reveals Allegations of Sexual Harassment, Misuse of Funds

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston released its findings Wednesday of an internal review investigating allegations made against former Bishop Michael Bransfield. The church says it found allegations of sexual harassment and financial improprieties to be credible.

Upon receiving the resignation of Bransfield last September, the Pope assigned the archbishop of Baltimore, William Lori, to lead the Catholic Church in West Virginia as well as an investigation into allegations lodged against Bransfield.

Lori addressed a letter to Catholics in West Virginia revealing the findings of his internal investigation. In that letter, he described a culture of fear Bransfield’s leadership fostered that enabled the abuse to go unchecked for more than a decade.

The five-month review showed that — during his 13-year tenure in West Virginia — Bransfield regularly made sexual innuendos and overtly suggestive comments and actions toward those he oversaw. The investigation also revealed patterns of excessive and inappropriate spending on renovations to his personal residences, as well as personal travel, dining, liquor and gifts.

Lori indicated that known victims of abuse will be reimbursed for the costs of mental health assistance, and that he’s mandating implementation of a third-party reporting system for any allegations against a bishop of the diocese. He also wrote that the bishop’s renovated residence in Wheeling will be sold.

As part of Bransfield’s lavish spending over the years, Lori says he himself received gifts that totaled $7,500. He says he has donated that money back to the church and asked that it be given to Catholic Charities, a non-profit focused on reducing poverty.

W.Va. Catholic Church Set to Release Names of 'Credibly Accused' Priests

The Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announced intentions today to release names of all priests that have been “credibly accused” of child abuse in West Virginia.

The press release says in an effort to build back trust in the church, the diocese is releasing all of the names they’ve been made aware of since 1950, along with a list of the accused priests’ assignments during their tenure with the church.

The action is led by Archbishop William Lori, from Baltimore. Lori was named Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese in September just after former Bishop Michael Bransfield retired from his post amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

“The trust of the people has been badly damaged,” Archbishop William Lori wrote. “Disclosing the names of all those credibly accused of abuse is a critical step toward repairing that broken trust. I pray this will lead toward healing and demonstrate the Diocese’s firm commitment to transparency and accountability.”

The release says none of the named are currently in active ministry.

Church officials are investigating all files and preparing a list that will be released once it has been reviewed by an “independent Diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board.”

The Diocese is also encouraging anyone victims of abuse by any member of the Church to contact civil authorities or the Office of Safe Environment at (304) 233-0880.