Bishop Resigns as Pope Orders Inquiry in Sex Abuse Case

  Pope Francis ordered an investigation

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Catholic Bishop Michael J. Bransfield was forced to resign his post in West Virginia on Thursday amid accusations of sexual harassment.

Pope Francis ordered an investigation into Bransfield's conduct, directing Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore to lead a probe into whether accusations are true that Bransfield sexually harassed adults. Lori will also take over the diocese of Charleston-Wheeling.

"My primary concern is for the care and support of the priests and people of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston at this difficult time," Lori said in a statement. "I further pledge to conduct a thorough investigation in search of the truth into the troubling allegations against Bishop Bransfield and to work closely with clergy, religious leaders of the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop."

It's the latest revelation accusing a Catholic clergy member of sexual wrongdoing. Last month, a Pennsylvania grand jury accused six Catholic dioceses of covering up the abuse of more than 1,000 children by more than 300 clergy. Francis called for an unprecedented meeting of Catholic bishops in February to discuss the sexual abuse scandal and what can be done to keep children safe

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