FROM ROCCO PALMO'S "WHISPERS IN THE LOGGIA":
As the leadership of the US bishops entered the Papal Apartment for their first crisis talks
with the Pope, the storm of these weeks broke out on yet another front:
at Roman Noon this Thursday, the Pope accepted the resignation of
Bishop Michael Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston five days after the
West Virginia prelate turned 75, sending in Archbishop William Lori of
Baltimore "to conduct an investigation into allegations of sexual
harassment of adults" by the now-retired cleric.
Though the Vatican did not disclose the rationale behind the move in its announcement, Lori revealed the context in a subsequent statement, saying he was "instructed" to do so by the Holy See.
"I pledge to conduct a thorough investigation in search of the truth into the troubling allegations against Bishop Bransfield," the archbishop said, "and to work closely with the clergy, religious and lay leaders of the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop."
Having already made the trip to West Virginia's statewide church, the Baltimore prelate will spend the next two days gathering preliminary information in Wheeling. Lori's first public appearance isn't slated until Saturday night, when he'll celebrate the diocese's locally televised 6pm Vigil Mass in St Joseph's Cathedral.
The first US prelate to leave office over public reports of misconduct with adults since 2002, to date, the claims against Bransfield have not been openly specified. Together with this morning's announcement, the Wheeling Chancery opened a hotline to receive new allegations or tips for the coming probe.
Long known as one of the American hierarchy's top financiers (and,
accordingly, a prior USCCB Treasurer), Bransfield – a Philadelphia
native – first came to prominence over his two decades as rector of
Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception, transforming the nation's largest church into one of its
most prominent worship-sites. Over his decade-plus at the helm of the
West Virginia fold, the accused prelate often made news for his use of
the diocese's ample reserves to fund initiatives for health-care and
education, as well as relief efforts, across one of the nation's poorest
states, which has become one of the hardest-hit venues of the ongoing
opioid epidemic.
Developing – more to come.
In Mountain State, A Fresh Scandal – Pope Bumps WV Prelate Over Harassment Claims
Though the Vatican did not disclose the rationale behind the move in its announcement, Lori revealed the context in a subsequent statement, saying he was "instructed" to do so by the Holy See.
"I pledge to conduct a thorough investigation in search of the truth into the troubling allegations against Bishop Bransfield," the archbishop said, "and to work closely with the clergy, religious and lay leaders of the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop."
Having already made the trip to West Virginia's statewide church, the Baltimore prelate will spend the next two days gathering preliminary information in Wheeling. Lori's first public appearance isn't slated until Saturday night, when he'll celebrate the diocese's locally televised 6pm Vigil Mass in St Joseph's Cathedral.
The first US prelate to leave office over public reports of misconduct with adults since 2002, to date, the claims against Bransfield have not been openly specified. Together with this morning's announcement, the Wheeling Chancery opened a hotline to receive new allegations or tips for the coming probe.
Developing – more to come.
3 comments:
He is another one who was notorious for his extravagant dinner parties at the Shrine in DC always attended by handsome seminarians. I think he made the ugly ones wash the dishes (that’s sarcasm, I have no idea if it’s true). Again....if I knew didn’t a whole bunch of other people also know.
If you Google him, it would appear that this isn't the first time his conduct has come into focus. However, there, it would appear that no definitive conclusions were reached. Let us hope that his name isn't to be added to the list of those who victimized others in addition to letting the laity down.
People here complain about Pope Francis' simplicity in his lifestyle.
Then, they turn around and complain about a bishop's "extravagant dinner parties."
"We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn."
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