Charleston, W.Va., Apr 19, 2012 / 10:20 am
Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charelston, W.Va. denied allegations of sex abuse against him during April 18 court proceedings in the criminal trial against a Pennsylvania priest.
“To now be unfairly included in that group and to hear the horrific allegations that are being made of me is unbelievable and shocking,” Bishop Bransfield said in an April 19 statement.
A witness in the trial against Monsignor William Lynn – who is accused of covering up sex abuse accusations within the Philadelphia Archdiocese – told the court that he was sexually abused by Philadelphia priest Fr. Stanely Gana on property belonging to Bishop Bransfield over 30 years ago.
The same witness, a 48-year-old man identified as “John,” claims that Bishop Bransfield brought several teenage boys to a farm owned by Fr. Gana, who told “John” that the bishop was having sex with one of them, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.