New lawsuit details sexual assault allegations against former bishop

By Jessi Starkey
WCHS/WVAH
March 27, 2019

https://wvah.com/news/local/new-lawsuit-details-sexual-assault-allegations-against-former-bishop

Former West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield is facing new sexual assault allegations after an alleged victim came forward to say he endured years of abuse by Bransfield.

A lawsuit was filed by the alleged victim against the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, former Bishop Michael Bransfield and 20 unknown men in the church.

In a 21-page lawsuit the alleged victim identified as J.E. claims he was sexually assaulted by Bransfield, who is now banned from any leadership position in the church. His attorney Bobby Warner told Eyewitness News his client was pursuing his dream of joining the clergy. The lawsuit says J.E. was in seminary school when he encountered the abuse. The alleged sexual assault caused J.E. to drop out of seminary school, and he stated he feared coming forward to talk about the alleged abuse.

"The higher the level of power the more people have concern about if they will be believed,"Warner said. "The Catholic church is very powerful, and this was the most powerful person in the state of West Virginia."

The lawsuit said Bransfield would drink excessively with the church's money. While drunk, the lawsuit said he would make sexual advances and engage in inappropriate touching. Warner said he believes many people knew about the alleged abuse, and he claims nothing was done to protect his client or any other alleged victims.

"Despite what the church says about how they are changing, they just continue to cover these cases up," Warner said. "They can't police themselves. We've given them time to do that and clearly that is not happening."

Warner said he hopes this lawsuit will help change how the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese operates, and he hopes to encourage other victims to come forward.

"Now that he has come forward, other people may feel like they have the strength to do the same," Warner said. "There is strength in numbers. People may feel more comfortable if they know they are going to battle with other people."

The Wheeling-Charleston Diocese has denied multiple requests for an interview. An organization dedicated to helping survivors of abuse urges anyone to come forward for help. Contact "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" or SNAP at 636-433-2511.