WHEELING (WV)
Catholic News Service
April 8, 2019
By Colleen Rowan
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is addressing a lawsuit filed by the state “with utmost seriousness,” while “steadfastly affirming” the diocese’s rigorous child protection standards, said the diocese’s apostolic administrator, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey announced March 19 a civil suit against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and Bishop Michael Bransfield, the diocese’s former bishop.
He alleges the defendants violated the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act by failing “to disclose to consumers of its educational and recreational services that it employed priests and laity who have sexually abused children.”
Pointing to its “rigorous Safe Environment Program, the foundation of which is a zero-tolerance policy for any cleric, employee or volunteer credibly accused of abuse,” the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in a statement reacting to the suit said it “strongly and unconditionally rejects” Morrissey’s assertion that it is not wholly committed to the protection of children.
On March 29, Lori addressed the issue in a letter to the priests, religious and laity of the statewide diocese.
“We are addressing this lawsuit appropriately and with the utmost seriousness while steadfastly affirming our ongoing commitment to the rigorous policies and practices in place to ensure the absolute protection of those young people entrusted to our care,” the archbishop said.
The faithful also received a letter from the diocese March 22 stating that the diocese’s Safe Environment Program employs mandatory screening, background checks and training for all employees and volunteers who work with children.
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