When the bishop calls in from out of town to say he’s on your side, something’s awry:
The following quote is from the Most Reverend Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Bishop Bransfield provided these remarks today from Phoenix, Ariz., where he is attending the annual national meeting of the Knights of Columbus:
“As the only Catholic college or university in West Virginia, Wheeling Jesuit University has my utmost support during this period of transition, said the Most Reverend Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. “I wish nothing but continued success for the University and for the Jesuit Community in Wheeling.”
“Although Wheeling Jesuit is not owned or administered by the Diocese, we share our Catholic identity and a common mission of education and service in our Mountain State. I am proud of the accomplishments of this wonderful university. I look forward to its continued advancement.”
The Wheeling Jesuit U. president has left in an unexplained “change of leadership.”
Blithe Spirit 
To clarify this, Wheeling Jesuit University is not part of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It is separately charted by the Jesuit community. When leadership change (incoming or departing presidents) affects the university, our bishop historically has made a comment. Our bishop comments when there are disasters, deaths of clergy and well-known parishioners, and many times when reporters call me and ask for one….like the reporter who called and asked for a comment over this matter.
The same holds true with Wheeling Jesuit when our bishops retire or are installed, they comment in kind. Both institutions are bonded by our Catholic identity, but since Wheeling Jesuit is the ONLY Catholic college or university in our entire state, that bond is further enhanced. I suspect you have more than one Catholic college or university in your Archdiocese, correct? Furthermore, Wheeling Jesuit is located less than two miles from our Cathedral.
Sincerely,
Bryan Minor
Executive Director of Communications and Development
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Wheeling, W.Va.
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I found it curious that the bishop’s statement emphasized that he was not part of the board of directors and that the diocese does not “own” or “administer” the university. These statements conceal more than they reveal. No where does the bishop explicitly say that he was not involved in the matter.
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