Vatican announces sanctions on disgraced Bishop Bransfield
FREE Catholic Classes
By (CNA/EWTN)
7/22/2019 (2 months ago)
Catholic Online
(https://www.catholic.org)
Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston, will no longer be allowed to participate in public Masses or live within his former diocese. He must "make personal amends" for the harm he brought to the diocese, Pope Francis announced in a communique released on Friday afternoon.
Highlights
Wheeling, W.V., (CNA) - Bransfield is reported to have sexually harassed, assaulted, and coerced seminarians, priests, and other adults during his time as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. He was also found to have given large cash gifts to high-ranking Church leaders, using diocesan funds.
The July 19 Vatican communique, which was published Friday on the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston's website, was sent from the Apostolic Nuncio of the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
Bransfield's resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on Sept. 13, 2018, five days after Bransfield reached the retirement age of 75.
When Pope Francis accepted Bransfield's resignation, he appointed Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore as the apostolic administrator of the diocese. He also authorized Lori to start an investigation into the allegations made against the retired bishop, which at the time were described as financial abuses and the sexual harassment of adults.
A hotline for the investigation that was set up in September received more than three dozen calls during its first two weeks.In March, Lori announced that he had restricted Bransfield's ministry in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as well as in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and that the Holy See would be conducting an additional evaluation of the investigation. That assessment was released on Friday.
"Pending the assessment of the findings of the Holy See, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, I have directed that Bishop Bransfield is not authorized to exercise any priestly or episcopal ministry either within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston or within the Archdiocese of Baltimore," Lori said in a March 11 press release.
The Holy See's communique expands that restriction, and adds the additional prohibition on living within the diocese. Further, the Vatican wrote that Bransfield has "the obligation to make personal amends for some of the harm he caused."
Per the release, "the nature and extent of the amends to be decided in consultation with the future Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston."
After the investigation, Archbishop Lori confirmed that investigators had established a pattern of sexual malfeasance, and serious financial misconduct by Bransfield throughout his time as bishop.
"The investigative report determined that during his tenure as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, Bishop Bransfield engaged in a pattern of excessive and inappropriate spending," Lori said, citing renovations to multiple residences and the misuse of Church funds "for personal benefit on such things as personal travel, dining, liquor, gifts and luxury items."
Some bishops who received cash gifts from Bransfield pledged to return them.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2019 - Distributed by THE CALIFORNIA NETWORK
More U.S.
DNA test could reveal if Catholic supply store killer was involved in 1985 murder Watch
Last year, Thomas Bruce was accused of assaulting three women and killing one of them at the Catholic Supply of St. Louis retail store Nov. ... continue reading
New hotline connects women in crisis pregnancies to resources, community Watch
When Pamela Whitehead takes a call for LoveLine, a new pregnancy helpline, she listens. Austin, Texas, (CNA) - When Pamela Whitehead takes ... continue reading
In face of California fire, LA archdiocese expands fund for victims Watch
As a large fire continues to burn in southern California, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has expanded one of its support funds for the ... continue reading
New York will get statue of Mother Cabrini Watch
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the state will erect a statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. New York City, N.Y., (CNA) - New ... continue reading
Indian archbishop, parish priest killed in California car accident Watch
Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong, India and Fr. Mathew Vellankal died in a car crash Oct. 10 during a visit to the Diocese of Oakland. ... continue reading
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
Sin and Grace (3rd Grade) Classes 
Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
