Bishop Michael Bransfield

The Latest

Bishop Mark Brennan.

West Virginia bishop revives lay-led advisory council

Feb 8, 2021

The Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston is reviving a lay-led advisory council as part of reforms following the 2018 departure of disgraced... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield.

Bishop Michael Bransfield: I do not want to 'do battle' with successor

Sep 24, 2020

By Ed Condon

Retired West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield told CNA Thursday that he is retired, wants to stay retired, and does not... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield, Bishop Emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston. CNA file photo.

Bishop Bransfield offers 'apology', repays $400k to W Virginia diocese

Aug 20, 2020

Bishop Michael Bransfield has repaid more than $400,000 to his former diocese, and issued a narrowly-worded apology to the faithful... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield, Bishop Emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston. CNA file photo.

W Virginia's Catholic bishop says emeritus Bishop Bransfield not in contact

Aug 15, 2020

By Kevin J. Jones

Bishop Michael Bransfield, who headed West Virginia’s only Catholic diocese before retiring amid scandal, has not communicated with his successor... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

W. Virginia’s scandal-ridden Bishop Bransfield must make amends for ‘betrayal’

Nov 27, 2019

By Kevin J. Jones

The disgraced Bishop Michael Bransfield, former head of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese, should apologize to his victims of sexual harassment, apologize... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

Bishop Bransfield facing new abuse allegation

Oct 3, 2019

Former Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Michael Branfield is facing an allegation that he touched inappropriately a nine year-old girl during a... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

Bishop Bransfield's life of luxury

Sep 13, 2019

Bransfield spent nearly one million dollars on private jets and over $660,000 on airfare and hotels during his 13 years... Read more

Bishop Mark Brennan.

Pope Francis names Bp Mark Brennan to follow Bransfield at West Virginia diocese

Jul 23, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Tuesday named Bishop Mark Brennan the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia following financial corruption and alleged sexual assault... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield (CNA file photo) with Vatican communique announcing restrictions

Vatican announces sanctions on disgraced Bishop Bransfield

Jul 19, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop emeritus of Wheeling-Charleston, will no longer be allowed to participate in public Masses or live... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica from the keyhole on Aventino Hill, Rome Italy. Via Shutterstock

Analysis: Vatican calls for trust, Catholics wait for transparency

Jul 5, 2019

By Ed Condon

In the debate between bishops and the faithful, both sides accept the need for transparency but have very different understandings of the word.  Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

Bishops received money from, and complaints about, Bransfield, report says

Jul 3, 2019

Allegations of financial impropriety against former Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Michael Bransfield went unheeded for years, according to a new report.  Read more

Bishops at the USCCB General Assembly in Baltimore, June 2019.

Analysis: At USCCB meeting, will words speak louder than votes?

Jun 13, 2019

By Ed Condon

While the ostensible purpose of Thursday votes is to establish Vos estis lux mundi in the life of the Church... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

Bishops to return 'gifts' from West Virginia's Bishop Bransfield

Jun 10, 2019

Several bishops and other Church leaders have said they will return money given to them by retired West Virginia Bishop... Read more

The USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 12, 2018.

Analysis: Bp. Bransfield, the USCCB, and the Holy Spirit

Jun 6, 2019

By JD Flynn

The U.S. bishops arrive in Baltimore next week for their second plenary meeting in the year of serious crisis that... Read more

Archbishop William Lori speaks at a Legatus conference on Feb 8, 2013.

‘No excuse, no adequate explanation’: Lori releases findings of Bishop Bransfield investigation

Jun 5, 2019

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore has released a letter to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston addressing the findings of a preliminary... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield.

New lawsuit claims Bishop Bransfield sexually abused seminarians

Mar 28, 2019

A new lawsuit against the former bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, claims that the prelate sexually assaulted seminarians, a claim... Read more

Bishop Michael Bransfield. CNA file photo.

Bishops Bransfield, Bennett restricted from exercising ministry

Mar 11, 2019

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore announced on Monday restrictions on the ministry of both retired West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield... Read more

Archbishop William Lori. CNA file photo.

Archbishop Lori: Investigative team is already working in WV diocese

Sep 26, 2018

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore has begun an investigation into the alleged misconduct of Bishop Michael Bransfield, who until recently... Read more

A bishop's pectoral cross.

Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bransfield as inquiry into misconduct claims launched

Sep 13, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Thursday accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael J. Bransfield from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,... Read more