WEST VIRGINIA
My Fox Philly
West Virginia Roman Catholic Bishop Michael Bransfield on Thursday denied sexual abuse accusations made by a witness at a priest abuse trial in Philadelphia. “I have never sexually abused anyone,” Bransfield, the leader of West Virginia’s 76,000 Catholics, said in a statement released through the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Bransfield said he’s deeply saddened by the child-abuse scandal that’s been linked to former colleagues and friends from a Pennsylvania seminary where he graduated in 1971.
“Over the years, I have felt devastation for both the victims and the church as I learned about the terrible actions they took with innocent victims,” Bransfield said. “To now be unfairly included in that group and to hear the horrific allegations that are being made of me is unbelievable and shocking.” …
Advocates for abuse victims criticized Bransfield for issuing a statement instead of taking questions.
“It’s important to remember that both accusers gave testimony yesterday under oath. Bransfield didn’t,” said David Clohessy, St. Louis director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Earlier this week, a prosecutor at the trial complained of problems getting a Wheeling priest to come testify. The would-be witness, Monsignor Kevin Quirk, is an aide to Bransfield. A Wheeling judge now wants proof he’s a material witness.
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