Report: Philadelphia DA Investigating W.va. Bishop

By Philip Stahl
WTOV
July 8, 2012

http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/report-philadelphia-da-investigating-wva-bishop/nPpW2/

[with video]

[Montco reviewing case against cleric first reported in 2007 - Philadelphia Inquirer]

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.---

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting the Philadelphia District Attorney's office is investigating allegations made by a former high school student against Bishop Michael Bransfield of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

An article published Sunday reports that he fondled a Lansdale Catholic High School student in the late 1970s.

According the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia learned of the allegations in 2007 and then forwarded it to the Montgomery County prosecutor's office.

According the article, prosecutors are currently reviewing a complaint against Bransfield.

It was April that Bransfield's name was brought up by a defendant in a case with now convicted Msgr. William Lynn. That boy said that Bransfield would have sex with young boys at his home. Another boy under oath said he heard that Bransfield raped and molested young boys along with a former seminary classmate Stanley Gana.

Bransfield later denied all claims and said that he never sexually abused or assaulted anyone.

Bransfield, 68, has been at the helm of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston since February 2005.

In a statement to NEWS9, Diocese Spokesman Bryan Minor said on Sunday:

"You may be following upon an article that appeared in today's edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120708_Review_of_2007_allegation_a_W_Va__bishop_had_fondled_a_Montco_student.html?cmpid=125459048

Our stance is that this is old news.

It appears to us to be further reference by the Inquirer to information released during this year's clergy sexual abuse trial in Philadelphia. Bishop Bransfield's name was used in those proceedings, which were reported extensively by media in Philadelphia and the Ohio Valley from April 17-19. In fact, in this article-- http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-20/news/31374257_1_abuse-allegations-clergy-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-report -- you will see this reference: [Prosecutors are also aware of a separate allegation "of a fondling of a student by Bransfield," Blessington told Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina. He did not elaborate, and the judge has barred the lawyers from publicly commenting in the case.]

Now the transcripts have been released and the Inquirer is running with the story again.

At that time, Bishop Bransfield released a statement responding to all allegations, and he stands today by that response. It can be found at this web address:

http://www.dwc.org/news/1254-a-statement-from-bishop-michael-j-bransfield.html

Even though these are not new allegations against Bishop Bransfield, this story was still published by the Inquirer.

Regardless of what news is reported or repeated in this matter, the Diocese asks the community to please pray for our Bishop, our Diocese, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all those affected by sexual abuse in any way."