Michael Joseph Bransfield | |
|---|---|
| Archdiocese | Baltimore |
| Diocese | Wheeling-Charleston |
| Appointed | December 9, 2004 |
| Retired | September 13, 2018 |
| Predecessor | Bernard William Schmitt |
| Successor | Mark E. Brennan |
| Previous post(s) | |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 15, 1971 by John Krol |
| Consecration | February 22, 2005 by William Henry Keeler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1943 |
| Motto | Thy will be done |
| Styles of Michael Joseph Bransfield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Michael Joseph Bransfield (born September 8, 1943) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Bransfield served as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia from 2005 to 2018.
After Bransfield retired in 2018, a church investigation led by Archbishop William E. Lori and five lay experts examined "multiple allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties" leveled against him.[1] The report found that the accusations of sexual harassment were credible[2] and detailed Bransfield's diversion of diocesan funds to support a lavish lifestyle.[3]
In July 2019, Pope Francis banned Bransfield from residing in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and ordered him not to “preside or to participate anywhere in any public celebration of the Liturgy,"[4] thus barring him from engaging in public ministry within the Catholic Church.[5] Church leaders—some of whom had previously received gifts from Bransfield—were criticized for failing to respond to initial complaints concerning Bransfield and for later weakening restitution requirements.
- ^ Gunty, Christopher (2019-03-12). "Two bishops removed from ministry over allegations of sexual harassment". America Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Comins, Linda (July 6, 2019). "'Credible' Accounts Accuse Sexual Harassment From Former Bishop Michael J. Bransfield". The Intelligencer Wheeling News Register. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WaPoCashwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Pope Francis issues disciplinary measures for Bishop Bransfield". America Magazine. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
thehillspeakswas invoked but never defined (see the help page).