×

Survivors Network hopes lawsuit spurs greater action

PARKERSBURG — An organization advocating for victims of abuse by priests hopes a lawsuit by the attorney general of West Virginia encourages similar actions.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday announced a lawsuit was filed in Wood County against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, claiming the diocese and Michael Bransfield, the former bishop of the diocese, knowingly employed pedophiles and didn’t conduct adequate background checks of employees.

“Failing to conduct background checks for those working or volunteering around children is bad enough. Employing known perpetrators is far worse,” the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said in a statement issued by Judy Jones, Midwest Regional Leader of S.N.A.P. “These decisions put children at unnecessary risk and why? To save some time on paperwork or make a hiring process easier? Such actions are absolutely mind-boggling.”

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, appointed apostolic administrator of the diocese, last week announced an investigation into alleged sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties by Bransfield is complete and sent to the Vatican for final judgment. Lori was appointed by Pope Francis in September and was instructed to conduct an investigation.

Lori also announced last week that Bransfield was not authorized “to exercise any priestly or episcopal ministry within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.”

“We are grateful to West Virginia A.G. Patrick Morrisey for undertaking this investigation and bringing these egregious oversights into the light,” S.N.A.P. said. “Knowing what went wrong and who oversaw these failings is the best way to make changes and prevent this from happening in the future.

“We hope that this move by Morrisey will prod other law enforcement officials to think outside the box, but will also encourage survivors, witnesses, and whistle blowers in West Virginia to come forward and report to police,” the S.N.A.P. said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today