WHEELING (WV)
Intelligencer
October 25, 2018
Roman Catholic church officials are doing the right thing in preparing to release a list of names of priests and deacons “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children in West Virginia. It is a good start toward repairing the church’s damaged relationship with its flock in the Mountain State.
It is unfortunate that the decision regarding West Virginia had to come after the release this past summer of a Pennsylvania grand jury report alleging that hundreds of “predator priests” victimized children in that state. Some may wonder whether that was the catalyst that convinced church officials to act in our state.
It also is troubling that the action came only after the former head of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, ex-Bishop Michael Bransfield, retired from his post. Church officials have said allegations that Bransfield sexually harassed adults are being investigated.
After Bransfield’s departure, the diocese was placed under the supervision of Archbishop William E. Lori, of Baltimore. It was he who made the announcement Wednesday. “The trust of the people has been badly damaged. Disclosing the names of all those credibly accused of abuse is a critical step toward repairing that broken trust,” Lori said.
According to the diocese, it will release the names of priests and deacons “credibly accused of child sexual abuse” since 1950, which is as far back as church records go. Diocese officials noted the list will not include the names of any priests currently in the ministry.
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