Michael J. Bransfield

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Michael Joseph Bransfield
ArchdioceseBaltimore
DioceseWheeling-Charleston
AppointedDecember 9, 2004
RetiredSeptember 13, 2018
PredecessorBernard William Schmitt
SuccessorMark E. Brennan
Orders
OrdinationMay 15, 1971
by John Krol
ConsecrationFebruary 22, 2005
by William Henry Keeler
Personal details
Born (1943-09-08) September 8, 1943 (age 80)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Previous post(s)
MottoThy will be done
Styles of
Michael Joseph Bransfield
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Michael Joseph Bransfield (born September 8, 1943) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Bransfield served as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia from 2005 to 2018.

After Bransfield retired in 2018, a church investigation led by Archbishop William E. Lori and five lay experts examined "multiple allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties" leveled against him.[1] The report found that the accusations of sexual harassment were credible[2] and detailed Bransfield's diversion of diocesan funds to support a lavish lifestyle.[3]

In July 2019, Pope Francis banned Bransfield from residing in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and ordered him not to “preside or to participate anywhere in any public celebration of the Liturgy,"[4] thus barring him from engaging in public ministry within the Catholic Church.[5] Church leaders—some of whom had previously received gifts from Bransfield—were criticized for failing to respond to initial complaints concerning Bransfield and for later weakening restitution requirements.

Biography

Early life

Michael Bransfield was born on September 8, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia. He earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.[6]

Priesthood

Bransfield was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John Krol on May 15, 1971.[6] Bransfield received a Master of Philosophy degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was later a teacher and chaplain at Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and the chairman of its religion department.[7] In 1987, Pope John Paul II named Bransfield as an honorary prelate.[6]

Bransfield was named assistant director and director of liturgy (1980), director of finance (1982), and director (1986) at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.[8][9] When the shrine was named a basilica in 1990, Bransfield was appointed its first rector, serving in this position until 2004.[10][8][11][9]

Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston

On December 9, 2004, John Paul II appointed Bransfield as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.[12] He was consecrated on February 22, 2005, by Cardinal William Keeler, with then Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Bishop Bernard Schmitt as co-consecrators, at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Wheeling, West Virginia.

As a bishop, Bransfield was elected president of The Papal Foundation, a Catholic nonprofit organization that distributes funds to charitable organizations.[13] Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), he served a term as treasurer,[14][15]and as a member of the Conference's Communications Committee and the National Collections Committee;[7] he also co-authored a set of diocesan financial guidelines approved by the USCCB in 2002.[15]

Bransfield was a member of the boards of trustees of the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.[14] He held membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Accusations of sexual abuse and harassment

In April 2012, the Associated Press reported that Bransfield had been accused of sexual abuse of a boy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Accusations against Bransfield had been raised in testimony by a witness at the trial of two Philadelphia priests, one charged with attempted rape and the other with failing to report sexual abuse. Bransfield was not charged with a crime, and denied ever sexually abusing anyone.[16][17]

Resignation

When he turned 75 in September 2018, Bransfield submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. His resignation was immediately accepted by Pope Francis, who named Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore as apostolic administrator of the diocese.[18][19][20] At the time of Bransfield's resignation, he was described as an associate of McCarrick.[21]

Investigations and aftermath

After Bransfield resigned, Pope Francis directed Archbishop Lori to conduct an investigation into allegations that Bransfield sexually harassed adults.[1][22][19] The investigation was prompted by a August 2018 letter to Lori from Monsignor Kevin Quirk, a canon lawyer and top aide to Bransfield. In the letter, Quirk alleged that Bransfield had engaged in drug and alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, and financial impropriety.[23]

In 2019, the five lay investigators overseen by Lori submitted a 60-page report on Bransfield to the Vatican.[13] A copy of the Lori report was obtained by the Washington Post, which reported on the findings in June 2019,[13] Lori released a letter to the priests and laity of the diocese about the investigation on the same day as the Post article.[2] The Post published the full Lori report in December 2019.[24][25]

Sexual harassment

The Lori investigative team determined that the allegations that Bransfield had sexually harassed adults were "credible". The report stated: "The team uncovered a consistent pattern of sexual innuendo, and overt suggestive comments and actions toward those over whom the former bishop exercised authority,"[2] specifically seminarians and young priests.[13] According to a diocesan spokesman, the investigation "found that no criminal activity was undertaken", and the Lori report was not submitted to law enforcement.[26] Lori stated that "the investigation found no conclusive evidence of sexual misconduct with minors by the former bishop during its investigation."[2] The Washington Post reported the opposite conclusion, stating that the report reads:

“We did not find conclusive evidence that Bishop Bransfield committed sexual misconduct with minors; however, there is significant reason for concern that this occurred,” the report stated, citing “several troubling incidents” involving altar servers.[13]

As summarized in the Washington Post, the Lori report gave the accounts of nine men in the diocese who accused Bransfield "of touching or groping them, kissing or exposing himself to them or of commenting on their bodies."[13] The report stated that the diocese's judicial vicar had attempted to ensure that altar servers were not left alone with Bransfield.[13] The report did not name the complainants;[13] Lori said that information was withheld "due to privacy concerns and at the request of those who alleged harassment by Bishop Bransfield."[2]

The Lori report also stated that;

  • Sexual abuse complaints were raised against Bransfield when he was a teacher at Lansdale High School and rector of the Basilica
  • The vicar for clergy in the diocese reported that at least six clerical assistants to Bransfield "were broken by" their experiences working under him;
  • As bishop, Bransfield abused alcohol and prescription drugs, including oxycodone, and that this "likely contributed to his harassing and abusive behavior."[13]

In interview with investigators, Bransfield denied engaging in any sexual misconduct.[13]

Financial impropriety

The Lori investigation also found that over a ten-year period, Bransfield gave a total of $350,000 in cash gifts to other Catholic clerics, "including young priests he is accused of mistreating and more than a dozen cardinals in the United States and at the Vatican."[13] Bransfield wrote the checks from his personal account, and the diocese reimbursed him for the value of the gifts.[13] The gifts came in the form of at least 565 checks made out to the clerics by name.[13]The Lori report also found that Bransfield, along with several subordinates, spent:

  • Approximately $1,000 per month on alcohol
  • $182,000 for fresh flowers delivered daily to the chancery
  • $4.6 million to renovate Bransfield's church residence after a fire damaged a single bathroom.[13]
  • church funds for a personal chef and chauffeur.[23]
  • $2.4 million spent in Diocesan funds for corporate jet, limo services and hotel stays.[27]

The Lori report found that the diocese financial board was "extremely passive" and lacked adequate financial controls, with "an almost complete absence of any meaningful review of financial decisions."[13][a] The investigators concluded that "Bishop Bransfield adopted an extravagant and lavish lifestyle that was in stark contrast to the faithful he served and was for his own personal benefit."[13]

Bransfield denied the findings of the Lori report, but provided no details to corroborate his denial.[13] In a July 2019 interview, he argued that his financial decisions as bishop were justified and approved by diocesan financial officials.[23]

One of Bransfield's other changes was that, as head of the board of the Wheeling Hospital, he appointed consultants who improved the financial standing of the hospital, a long-time money-loser, but at the cost of allegedly improperly billing Medicare and Medicaid. Once the hospital was making money, he moved much of its revenue into a charity controlled personally by him which sent some of the gifts to other prelates and officials described above. The hospital's apparent windfall was short-lived, as a Justice Department lawsuit eventually required the hospital to pay back $50 million in a settlement.[29][30]

Early warnings of financial impropriety

Beginning in 2012, multiple parishioners in Bransfield's diocese complained to church authorities in the United States and the Vatican that Bransfield was engaged in financial abuses, but these complaints were not acted upon.[23] Archbishop Lori, Archbishop Carlo Viganò, then the papal nuncio to the United States; Cardinal Raymond Burke, then the leader of the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican; and Archbishop Peter Wells, an official at the Vatican Secretariat of State, all received these complaints.[23] Viganò, Burke, Wells, and Lori were also recipients of cash gifts from Bransfield.[23]

Between 2005 and 2018, Bransfield had paid $350,000 to clergy in the United States and in the Vatican in what an aide described as an effort to "purchase influence".[31][32] In July 2019, after the Washington Post reported on the early warnings, "Wells, Burke and Lori said the gifts did not influence how they responded to parishioners' complaints," while "Viganò said he did not recall receiving complaints and did not give Bransfield favorable treatment" and said that he had donated the funds to charity shortly after the gift was made.[23]

Recommendations of the investigative team

The Lori report "recommended Bransfield be stripped of powers as bishop, removed from ministry and forced to pay restitution" and also recommended that Bransfield's three top aides be removed from office.[2]

Church disciplinary action

In March 2019, following the delivery of the investigators' report, Lori removed Bransfield from "any priestly or episcopal ministry either within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston or within the Archdiocese of Baltimore" pending review of the report by the Holy See.[1][33] In June 2019, Bransfield's three former top aides resigned.[34]

In July 2019, Pope Francis banned Bransfield from living in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and forbid him from presiding over or participating "in any public celebration of the Liturgy."[4] Though Bransfield was not laicized, these measures permanently excluded him from engaging in any form of public ministry in the Catholic church.[5]

Pope Francis also directed that Bransfield's replacement as bishop determine how Bransfield should "make personal amends" for his actions.[35]Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Mark E. Brennan was appointed Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston in late July 2019,[36] and installed in August 2019.[37]

Restitution

In November 2019, Bishop Brennan ordered Bransfield to pay restitution of $792,638 to the diocese and to issue an apology "for the severe emotional and spiritual harm his actions caused" to his victims and to the diocese.[38] Brennan also directed Bransfield to pay $110,000 in unpaid taxes to the US Internal Revenue Service. Brennan also revoked some of Bransfield's retirement benefits and barred him from burial in the diocesan cemetery.[38] Brennan's directive is believed to be a rare, perhaps unprecedented, example of a bishop being ordered to pay restitution.[38]

In early August 2020, Brennan indicated that Bransfield was not responding to him and had failed to apologize or respond to the restitution directive of November 2019.[39] Later in August 2020, the Vatican approved a reduced restitution package; Bransfield wrote a letter of apology that took no direct responsibility (apologizing for "any scandal or wonderment caused by words or actions attributed to me during my tenure as Bishop") and agreed to pay $441,000 in restitution to the diocese. However, Bransfield continued to maintain "I believed that such reimbursements to me were proper."[40][41] Under the Vatican agreement,[40][42] Bransfield was to receive a monthly stipend from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and have the diocese pay his health insurance coverage.[40][41] Bransfield also retained his title as bishop.[42] Many West Virginia parishioners were critical of Bransfield's lack of remorse and his apology letter saying he believed he did nothing wrong.[42]

The diocese said it would reimburse the costs of mental health assistance for "known victims" of Bransfield. Lori, as apostolic administrator, also directed the creation of a "third-party reporting system" for allegations against bishops of the diocese.[2]

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) called for a law enforcement investigation[2] and criticized the church discipline imposed against Bransfield by Brennan as insufficient because they suggested "that Bransfield alone should make reparations."[38] SNAP called for consequences for Church officials who concealed, or failed to address, Bransfield's conduct.[38]

Civil lawsuits

In March 2019, a former personal altar boy for Bransfield sued the Wheeling-Charleston Catholic Diocese, alleging that Bransfield had sexually harassed him for years and sexually assaulted him in 2014. The suit was settled on confidential terms in August 2019.[43]

Also in March 2019 West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of the State of West Virginia against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and Bransfield, alleging violations of West Virginia consumer protection laws.[44] The complaint specifically alleges that the diocese advertised itself as a safe place for children while "knowingly employed pedophiles and failed to conduct adequate background checks" on workers in Catholic schools and camps.[44] The lawsuit was groundbreaking because it named a diocese as a defendant rather than individual priests, and because it sought to make use of consumer-protection law to obtain discovery of church records.[44]

In September 2019, a second sex-abuse lawsuit was filed in state court in Ohio County, West Virginia against Bransfield by a former seminarian who accused Bransfield of sexual harassment.[45][46] As of August 2020, one of the two sex abuse lawsuits filed against Bransfield was still ongoing, while the other was settled out of court.[47]

Criminal investigation

In October 2019, the Washington Post reported that police were investigating an allegation that Bransfield molested a 9-year-old girl during a September 2012 pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.[48] The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston was subpoenaed for documents in connection with the investigation.[48] Bransfield denied the allegation.[48]

On August 15, 2021, Bransfield issued a statement apologizing for his actions. Bishop Brennan in September has this comment about the apology: "For my part, I found his apology self-serving and lacking in any recognition of, or contrition for, actually having offended people."[49]

Notes

  1. ^ The diocese was organized as a corporation sole, giving Bransfield extremely broad authority to use diocesan funds without effective oversight. Bransfield could, for example, both initiate and approve payments to himself.[28]

References

  1. ^ a b c Gunty, Christopher (2019-03-12). "Two bishops removed from ministry over allegations of sexual harassment". America Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Comins, Linda (July 6, 2019). "'Credible' Accounts Accuse Sexual Harassment From Former Bishop Michael J. Bransfield". The Intelligencer Wheeling News Register. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  3. ^ Boorstein, Michelle; Boburg, Shawn; Jr, Robert O'Harrow (2019-06-06). "W.Va. bishop gave powerful cardinals and other priests $350,000 in cash gifts before his ouster, church records show". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ^ a b "Pope Francis issues disciplinary measures for Bishop Bransfield". America Magazine. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  5. ^ a b Axelrod, Tal (2019-07-19). "Vatican bans West Virginia bishop from public ministry over sexual misconduct allegations". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  6. ^ a b c "National Shrine Rector Named West Virginia Bishop". Catholic News Agency. December 9, 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Bishop Bransfield retires; headed Wheeling-Charleston Diocese since 2005". Catholic News Service. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  8. ^ a b Rutkowski, Ryan (2010). Catholic West Virginia. Arcadia Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 9780738586397. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Bishop Michael J. Bransfield". Bishop Accountability. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  10. ^ Lamb, Christopher (September 13, 2018). "Pope orders investigation into US bishop". The Tablet. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Bishop Bransfield Resigns, Being Investigated". Wheeling News Register. September 13, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 09.12.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. December 9, 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Boorstein, Michelle; Boburg, Shawn; Jr, Robert O'Harrow (2019-06-06). "W.Va. bishop gave powerful cardinals and other priests $350,000 in cash gifts before his ouster, church records show". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  14. ^ a b "Why the 'Metropolitan Plan' Doesn't Work | Commonweal Magazine". Commonweal Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  15. ^ a b "Diocesan Financial Issues" (PDF). Committee on Budget and Finance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  16. ^ "Scandalous charges by Stanley Gana against Bishop Bransfield". Catholic News Service. April 19, 2012. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  17. ^ "Witness priest said West Virginia bishop once abused teen". Associated Press. April 18, 2012.
  18. ^ "Rinunce e nomine, 13.09.2018" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. September 13, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Brockhaus, Hannah. "Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bransfield as inquiry into misconduct claims launched". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  20. ^ Hanna, Jason (September 13, 2018). "Catholic bishop in West Virginia resigns amid sexual harassment investigation". CNN. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  21. ^ Goodstein, Laurie (2018-09-13). "Fall of a West Virginia Bishop Widens the Catholic Crisis Over Sex Abuse". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  22. ^ "Vatican OKs sexual harassment probe of U.S. Bishop Michael Bransfield". NBC News. September 13, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Jr, Robert O'Harrow; Boburg, Shawn (2019-07-04). "Warnings about West Virginia bishop went unheeded as he doled out cash gifts to Catholic leaders". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  24. ^ Boburg, Shawn; Jr, Robert O'Harrow; Boorstein, Michelle (2019-12-23). "The Bransfield report: Post publishes secret Vatican document as parishioners demand answers". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  25. ^ McElhinny, Brad (2019-12-24). "Full report detailing Bransfield allegations is published by Washington Post". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  26. ^ Comins, Linda (March 12, 2019). "Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Investigation Finds 'No Criminal Activity' by Former Bishop Michael Bransfield". Wheeling News-Register.
  27. ^ Boburg, Shawn; Jr, Robert O'Harrow (2019-09-13). "A penthouse, limousines and private jets: Inside the globe-trotting life of Bishop Michael Bransfield". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  28. ^ Ashley McKinless, Explainer: How could Bishop Bransfield misuse funds for years without raising red flags?, America (June 12, 2019).
  29. ^ "West Virginia Hospital Agrees To Pay $50 Million To Settle Allegations Concerning Improper Compensation To Referring Physicians". Office of Public Affairs: US Department of Justice. September 9, 2020.
  30. ^ O'Harrow Jr., Robert; Boburg, Shawn (October 26, 2019). "From West Virginia to the Vatican: How a Catholic bishop secretly sent money from a church hospital to a cardinal in Rome". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Boburg, Shawn; O'Harrow Jr., Robert; Harlan, Chico (December 26, 2019). "Ousted cardinal McCarrick gave more than $600,000 to fellow clerics, including two popes, records show". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Guidos, Rhina. "Report says McCarrick fund gave more than $600,000 to clerics, two popes". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on 2019-12-28. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  33. ^ "Archbishop Lori Restricts Bishops Bransfield, Bennett From Exercising Ministry". NCR. 2019-03-11. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  34. ^ Jr, Robert O'Harrow; Boburg, Shawn (2019-06-11). "Three priests accused of enabling W.Va. bishop's 'predatory and harassing conduct' resign". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  35. ^ Boorstein, Michelle (2019-11-26). "West Virginia bishop calls for predecessor, accused of sex and financial misconduct, to pay $792,000 in restitution and to apologize". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  36. ^ Pitts, Johnathan (2019-07-23). "Baltimore auxiliary bishop to bring pastoral ways to a West Virginia diocese troubled by scandal". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  37. ^ Comins, Linda (August 23, 2019). "Brennan installed as new Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston". The Inter-Mountain. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  38. ^ a b c d e Boorstein, Michelle (2019-11-26). "West Virginia bishop calls for predecessor, accused of sex and financial misconduct, to pay $792,000 in restitution and to apologize". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  39. ^ Boorstein, Michelle (2020-08-11). "Disgraced West Virginia bishop Michael Bransfield was told a year ago to make restitution. His successor says Bransfield has gone incommunicado". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  40. ^ a b c Boorstein, Michelle (2020-08-20). "Vatican agrees to weakened restitution for West Virginia bishop accused of sexual and financial misdeeds". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  41. ^ a b McElhinny, Brad (2020-08-20). "Disgraced Bishop Bransfield writes to apologize 'for any scandal or wonderment'". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  42. ^ a b c "At Mass, Faithful Say Michael Bransfield's Apology Not Enough". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  43. ^ "Lawsuit accusing ex-West Virginia bishop of drunken sexual assault settled; replacement to be installed today". Baltimore Sun. 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  44. ^ a b c Boorstein, Michelle; Bailey, Sarah Pulliam; Jackman, Tom (2019-03-19). "West Virginia accuses Catholic diocese and former bishops of sex abuse cover-up in unusual consumer protection lawsuit". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  45. ^ "Second Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against Former bishop Michael Bransfield". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  46. ^ "Lawsuit accuses retired West Virginia bishop of sexually harassing seminarian". Crux. 2019-10-02. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  47. ^ "Survivors Network: Apology 'cannot absolve' Bransfield". Martins Ferry Times Leader. August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  48. ^ a b c Boburg, Shawn; Jr, Robert O'Harrow (2019-10-03). "Former W.Va. bishop Michael Bransfield is under police investigation for alleged abuse of 9-year-old girl on church trip". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  49. ^ "W Virginia bishop blasts 'self-serving' and 'anemic' Bransfield apology". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston
2004–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
none
 Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
1990–2004 		Succeeded by
Walter R. Rossi
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