6:00: Morning News

‘Our faith does not depend on one individual,’ new bishop tells West Virginia Catholics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Massachusetts native and the current Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore is the choice from Pope Francis to lead the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as its ninth bishop.

Bishop Mark Brennan, 72, a longtime parish priest, was formally introduced during a Tuesday morning event in Wheeling following an announcement out of the Vatican earlier in the day.

Bishop Mark Brennan

“As I stand before you now for the first time, as a soon-to-be shepherd and servant for you, I want you to know how acutely aware I am of the deep disappointment and pain that you have experienced as a result of your former bishop’s misdeeds,” he said.

Brennan takes over for former Bishop Michael Bransfield who resigned last Fall and has since been stripped of his ability to participate in church activities, even in retirement, following an investigation into allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.

In part, Bransfield was accused of lavish spending of church money on private jet travel, home renovations and payments to his superiors in the Catholic Church and sexually harassing younger priests.

Of Bransfield’s actions, Brennan said this:

“Undoubtedly, they harmed individuals, but they also harmed this community of faith, this local church. It will be my highest priority to work with you on true reform and to open our minds and hearts to the healing power of Christ’s unconditional love.”

Though he is still part of the Catholic Church, Bransfield, who served as bishop from 2005 to 2018, is no longer allowed to live in West Virginia.

As a result, work has been halted on his planned retirement home, according to Brennan.

Any additional punishments will be up to Brennan who pledged to move “expeditiously” on amends in consultation with those in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

“Not being thrown out (of the church), let’s say, he (Bransfield) is still subject to the authority of the Church and I am hopeful that that will be enough to get him to cooperate,” Brennan said.

“If he doesn’t, then there will be some things I think we can do on our own.”

Brennan was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington on May 15, 1976 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Archbishop of Baltimore in December 2016.

He had previously graduated from Brown University with a degree in history before entering the Christ the King Seminary in Allegheny, New York and then attending the Pontifical North American College in Rome for theological studies, according to Diocese information.

After his Wednesday introduction, Brennan left for Michigan to attend the 45th reunion of his seminary class which was previously scheduled.

Brennan was due back in Wheeling later in the week ahead of a formal installation on Thursday, August 22 at 2 p.m. in Wheeling’s Cathedral of St. Joseph.

“Today is the start of new day in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,” declared Bryan Minor, delegate of administrative affairs for the Diocese, during his introduction of Brennan.

“The faithful Catholics across this Diocese have been praying earnestly and fervently for a new bishop for our Diocese.”

Until Brennan’s installed, Archbishop William E. Lori, the Archibishop of Baltimore, will continue to oversee Diocese operations.

Last September, he was appointed apostolic administrator.

“Along with the people of this Diocese, I had been praying — earnestly and fervently — that a new bishop would be assigned, never thinking that it would be me,” Brennan said Tuesday.

“(It was) because I saw how hard our Archbishop Lori was working to serve the people here.”

Brennan has some ties to West Virginia.

He remembers visiting Wheeling as a child. His mother grew up nearby in Washington, Pa. and both of his parents later retired in Martinsburg.

Going forward, Brennan said Bransfield’s actions would not define the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

“Our faith does not depend on one individual. Our faith is in God. Our faith is in Jesus Christ,” Brennan said.





More News

News
PSC approves settlements involving Mon Power, net-metering cases
Rate increase went into effect Tuesday.
March 27, 2024 - 9:42 pm
News
Speakers at Focus Forward symposium discuss AI capabilities in West Virginia
The event was organized by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
March 27, 2024 - 8:30 pm
News
Justice vetoes vaccination exemption bill, draws praise from healthcare groups
Educational and healthcare organizations banded together to urge a veto.
March 27, 2024 - 6:35 pm
News
Testimony wraps up in attempt to remove 2 Jefferson County commissioners from office
Three-judge panel hears 2 days of testimony.
March 27, 2024 - 5:11 pm