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DOSSIER – This archive photo from February 21, 2005 shows the Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va, Michael Bransfield in his new office, in Wheeling, West Virginia. The diocese of the Roman Catholic Church of West Virginia issued the names of nine more priests who, according to her, were credibly accused of sexual abuse of children. In March 2019, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a lawsuit accusing the diocese and former bishop, Michael Bransfield, of knowingly using pedophiles and having failed to properly verify the background of camp and school employees. (AP Photo / Dale Sparks, File)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – An investigation into a former Catholic Bishop of West Virginia in West Virginia revealed a "consistent set" of sexual insinuations and suggestive comments and actions toward his subordinates, head of state said Wednesday. of the diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The investigation concerned complaints against ex-Bishop Michael Bransfield, who had resigned last year. A team of investigators determined that the charges of sexual harassment against Bransfield were credible, said the Archbishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, William Lori, who released the report.
He found no conclusive evidence that Bransfield committed sexual misconduct involving minors, he said.
The investigation also determined that Bransfield had misused church funds, said Lori.
No one answered a phone message left at the phone number indicated for Bransfield. He had also been involved in a 2012 case involving Philadelphia priests accused of sexual assault, but he denied assaulting anyone in this case.
"I am deeply grieved and sorry for the harm that the former bishop caused to those for whom he had been accused of watching," said Lori in a letter published by the diocese. "There is no excuse, nor any adequate explanation, to solve the troubling question of how his behavior has been able to stay so long, without the responsibility we must impose on those to whom we have so much entrusted."
According to the survey, Bransfield also misused church funds, spending on meals, alcoholic beverages, gifts, personal trips and luxury items. The total amount was not revealed, but Lori said he himself received financial donations totaling $ 7,500 from Bransfield.
The archbishop said that he had returned all the money to the diocese "in light of what I came to learn from the treatment of diocesan finances by Bishop Bransfield" and asked that he donated to Catholic charities.
In addition, Bransfield has made expensive renovations to his private homes in Wheeling and Charleston, as well as his retirement home project, said Lori.
The investigative team consisted of five lay investigators, Catholic and non-Catholic, Lori said. The completed investigation was sent to the Holy See for final judgment.
In March, Catholic Church officials imposed ministerial restrictions on Bransfield, who resigned in September after 14 years as bishop of the diocese. The Vatican commissioned the Archbishop of Baltimore, Lori, to take over.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a lawsuit in March, accusing the diocese and Bransfield of knowingly employing pedophiles and failing to properly verify the background of camp staff and the police. 'school.
In a statement released Wednesday, Morrisey called for the publication of the diocese's thorough investigation.
Last month, the diocese published the names of additional priests who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of children, bringing to 40 the number of priests or deacons accused serving in West Virginia.
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