Church report on Bransfield detailed lavish spending, harassment
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The amends accepted by The Vatican today for Michael Bransfield stem from the findings of what's become known as the "Bransfield Report," which looked deeply into the former bishop's personal conduct and his personal spending habits while in West Virginia. Here are some of the key findings of the report:
* "During the period of his episcopacy, the operating expenses of the diocese exceeded its income by $187 million, causing the bishop to draw from the diocese's endowment and mineral rights account to make up the deficit and pay for various projects initiated by the bishop. Bishop Bransfield exhibited a pattern of using diocese funds as if they were his own without regard to need or whether the diocese could afford a particular project."
* "Bishop Bransfield adopted an extravagant and lavish lifestyle that was in stark contrast to the faithful he served and was for his own personal benefit. The bishop traveled frequently, almost exclusively by first class airfare or private jet. He spent large sums on gifts, flowers and alcohol, and authorized the renovation of his personal residences at unreasonably high cost."
Remodeling costs for three residences used by Bransfield totaled $6 million, the investigators said. These expenditures included $4.6 million spent on the bishop's former home at 52 Elmwood Place in Wheeling; $722,792 at a residence in Charleston; and $697,105 for a residence on the Welty TownHomes site in Wheeling.
After the report was prepared, the diocese announced plans to sell the Elmwood Place home. David H. and Meredith McKinley of Wheeling later purchased that property for $1.2 million.
* "Bishop Bransfield's abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs likely contributed to his harassing and abusive behavior. Although Bishop Bransfield's sexual harassment and intimidation occurred both during the day and night, multiple instances of abuse were reported when the bishop was heavily intoxicated and/or under the influence of prescription pain medication."
* "By failing to take any action, the chancery monsignors (at the time Kevin Quirk, Frederick Annie and Anthony Cincinnati) enabled the predatory and harassing conduct of Bishop Bransfield, and allowed him to recklessly spend diocesan funds for his own personal use. Further, independent, qualified lay and clergy board members should be selected to serve appropriate advisory roles in connection with actions taken by diocesan-related entities and should receive support for their proper functions."