Philadelphia Media: Bishop Bransfield Implicated in Sex Abuse Scandal

By Amy Wadas
WTRF
April 19, 2012

http://www.wtrf.com/story/17526183/cbs-3-in-philadelphia-reports-bishop-bransfield-implicated-in-sex-abuse-scandal


According to KYW-TV in Philadelphia, the Bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, Michael J. Bransfield, is being accused of being linked to an alleged predator priest and child abuse in the early 1980's.

A witness brought this all out in the open in a Philadelphia courtroom. He told a jury he was raped by Father Stanley Gana.

KYW reports that the witness testified that Gana put him on the phone with then Father Michael J. Bransfield, who allegedly said he was going to have the boy sent to him.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reports that another witness told the jury on Wednesday, that Bransfield actually had sex with teenage boys. That witness told the judge that Bransfield brought multiple boys to a farm where Gana allegedly raped them.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reports that Bransfield has never been charged with sexually assaulting any children.

The Wheeling-Charleston Diocese left this comment in response to the allegations:

"The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston will issue a statement Thursday afternoon, April 19, regarding the testimony heard today during legal proceedings in Philadelphia."