Survivors Applaud Removal of Accused Bishop's Name

West Virginia Catholic officials have taken a small step forward in healing for survivors by removing an accused bishop’s name from a gym named after him.

Former Bishop Michael Bransfield’s name has been taken off Wheeling Central Catholic High School, by the school’s board of directors. Given that Bishop Bransfield has faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, we believe that this was the right move by administrators at Central Catholic High School.

The very least church officials can do is remove honors for clerics who commit or conceal sexual wrongdoing. We hope that this step will bring some comfort to those whose abuse happened on Bransfield’s watch and to those who may were hurt by Bransfield.

CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

 

SNAP Network is a GuideStar Gold Participant