MORGANTOWN — A former seminarian alleges that former Bishop Michael Bransfield sexually assaulted him, and that Bransfield regularly drank himself drunk and then engaged in “grossly inappropriate” sexual behavior with other young seminarians.
The accuser, who goes by the initials J.E., also alleges that Bransfield’s actions led him to leave seminary and the church. He now “struggles to find purpose and meaning in his life, having lost forever the lifelong dream of joining the clergy.”
The allegations are outlined in a civil suit filed in Ohio County Circuit Court. Along with Bransfield, the defendants are the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, and 20 “John Does.” Ten of the John Does are employees or agents of the USCCB and 10 are employees or agents of the diocese.
One of the suit’s allegations appears to contradict a statement made by Archbishop William Lori, who is serving as Apostolic Administrator for the diocese pending a replacement for Bransfield.
In his June 5 letter to the Lay Faithful of the diocese, Lori said the investigation launched by the Vatican last fall “found no conclusive evidence of sexual misconduct with minors by the former bishop during its investigation.”
However, J.E. alleges, “Bransfield was a sexual predator with lustful disposition toward adolescent males. After being placed in a position of trust by defendants, Bishop Bransfield sexually abused, molested, fondled and assaulted J.E. and other adolescent and ‘adult’ males.”
Here’s an overview of the allegations in the complaint and subsequent case actions.
According to the complaint:
J.E. now lives in Pocahontas County, but during the period covered in the suit, lived in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and attended the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.
Bransfield was a binge drinker, consuming nightly a half or full bottle of Cointreau, an orange liqueur. Defendants knew he would “drink until he was intoxicated, at which point he would engage in grossly inappropriate behavior, including … making sexually suggestive gestures, hugging, kissing, inappropriately touching and fondling seminarians.”
In 2008, J.E. became part of the pontifical crew servicing Bransfield during mass at St. Joseph’s. He eventually became Bransfield’s personal altar server and then his interim personal secretary.
Per custom, Bransfield sought to have J.E. live in his personal residence. Msgr. Kevin Quirk, then rector of St. Joseph’s, “knowing Bishop Bransfield’s illegal and improper propensities toward molestation of young males, fought to keep J.E. from moving into Bishop Bransfield’s home, but did so in a manner that protected Bishop Bransfield’s true nature as a sexual predator.”
J.E. was required to travel with Bransfield, and in May 2014 was with him in Charleston, where one night Bransfield was drunk and locked himself out of the parish. Quirk phoned J.E. to let Bransfield in. Quirk stayed on the phone with J.E. for a while, but upon letting Bransfield in, J.E. ended the call.
Once inside, Bransfield exposed himself, “grabbed J.E. from behind, pulled J.E. against him, running his hands down J.E.’s chest and over his genitals.” J.E. broke away and locked himself in a room until daylight.
J.E. was “mortified and emotionally traumatized,” but Bransfield acted as if nothing had happened and carried on with church business.
J.E. had a lifelong dream of entering seminary, and Bransfield got him admitted over the objections of Msgr. Paul Hudok, Bransfield’s previous secretary. However, J.E. fared poorly, “overcome with depression and suffering a severe crisis of faith.”
He dropped out of seminary and found himself ostracized by former friends and colleagues. He left the church.
J.E. never reported the alleged assault, fearing reprisal, having “seen the treatment and ostracism of once highly regarded church members who had dared to criticize or speak ill of the Catholic Church or Bishop Bransfield.” It wasn’t until the recent public invitation by the diocese for victims to step forward that J.E thought he might be able to safely tell his story.
J.E. levels nine counts against the defendants: sexual harassment/assault against Bransfield; negligent conduct against the diocese; negligence, misfeasance, malfeasance and other charges against Does 1-10; vicarious liability against the diocese; breach of non-delegable duty against the diocese; negligent hiring, retention and supervision against the diocese; civil conspiracy against all defendants; fraudulent concealment against all defendants; intentional infliction of emotional distress against all defendants.
J.E seeks compensation for his losses and injuries, along with punitive damages.
Bransfield and the diocese have denied all allegations. In May, the diocese moved, with Bransfield signing on, to have the suit dismissed.
The diocese argues that because the alleged assault happened in 2014, the two-year statute of limitations is long past.
The USCCB also moved to have the suit dismissed, saying the circuit court has no jurisdiction over it. Also, while Bransfield was a member and general secretary, the conference is merely advisory and has no authority to hire, fire, direct, supervise or oversee individual priests.
Responding to the motion by the diocese and Bransfield, J.E. said a jury must decide if the defendants’ actions caused such fear, undue influence and distress so as to toll – meaning legally suspend – the statute of limitations.
Also, the May 2014 alleged assault wasn’t Bransfield’s sole tortious action, J.E. said. Bransfield groomed him over several years and J.E. was subjected to multiple acts of sexual harassment. Defendants knew Bransfield was a predator and concealed the knowledge until after Bransfield retired last year at age 75.
Contacted for comment on the suit, diocese spokesman Tim Bishop said, “The diocese cannot comment on pending litigation.”
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