Former bishop Michael Bransfield barred from ministry

Michael Bransfield, who resigned as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, last year following a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual and financial misconduct, has been barred by Pope Francis from public ministry. The pope has also prohibited him from living in the diocese where he served from 2005 to 2018.

Pope Francis has named Baltimore auxiliary bishop Mark Brennan to lead the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.

The sanctions call on Bransfield to “make personal amends for some of the harm he caused.