Vatican agrees to weakened restitution for West Virginia bishop accused of sexual and financial misdeeds

By Michelle Boorstein The Vatican has approved much-reduced reparations, including an apology letter that takes no direct responsibility, for a former West Virginia bishop accused of misusing millions in church money and sexually harassing fellow clerics. Bishop Michael J. Bransfield stepped down in September 2018 as leader of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese amid allegations that he …