Bishop Bransfield Mentioned in Testimony

Metronews
April 18, 2012

www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=52228


The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston says it has no comment at this time in connection with testimony Wednesday in a clergy sex-abuse trial taking place in Philadelphia that mentioned Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Michael Bransfield.

A witness in the trial testified that he was raped by another priest in a beach house owned by Bransfield.

The 48-year-old man also told the jury he was told by Stanley Gana, a now defrocked priest, that Bransfield was having sex with another boy he saw at the Philadelphia area farm years ago.

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston released the following statement Wednesday:

"The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is learning of media reports originating from legal proceedings underway in Philadelphia, and Bishop Michael Bransfield's name was brought up in court today. Until such time that the facts and issues surrounding this testimony are made fully known to the Diocese, we cannot comment at this time."

Before Wednesday's testimony the Diocese had called the trial a "circus" and an attempt to "smear" people who weren't on trial.