Three Priests Named in Bransfield Report Have Been Reassigned

The Intelligencer
June 10, 2019

http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2019/06/archbishop-lori-three-priests-named-in-bransfield-report-have-been-reassigned/

Archbishop William Lori on Monday announced the resignation and reassignment of three priests involved in the scandal surrounding former bishop Michael Bransfield.

Acting in his capacity as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Archbishop William E. Lori Monday announced that three priests linked to former bishop Michael Bransfield — Frederick Annie, Kevin Quirk and Anthony Cincinnati — have resigned their administrative posts in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and assigned new duties.

The Rev. Frederick Annie resigned as Vicar General of the Diocese in September and has been assigned as Assistant Priest in Residence at St. Mary, Star City Parish in Morgantown.

The Rev. Anthony Cincinnati resigned as Vicar for Clergy and will continue serving as Pastor of St. Francis De Sales Parish in Morgantown.

The Rev. Kevin Quirk resigned as Judicial Vicar and Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph and further announced his decision to step down from his position on the Board of Directors at Wheeling Jesuit University and Wheeling Hospital. Quirk will serve as a Priest in Residence at Mater Dolorosa (Paden City) and St. Vincent De Paul (New Martinsville) Parishes and Holy Rosary (Sistersville) and St. Joseph (Proctor) Missions, where he will assist Administrator Rev. Brian J. Crenwelge in his pastoral duties. Crenwelge will also serve as Interim Director of Vocations for the Diocese.

An investigative report into Bransfield’s 13 years in Wheeling called for all three priests to be removed from their administrative positions. The report outlined “inappropriate and excessive spending” by Bransfield, along with credible accusations of sexual harassment against adults.