Posted on 12/09/2004 10:06:09 AM PST by Land of the Irish
WASHINGTON DC, USA, December 9 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II has named Msgr. Michael J. Bransfield, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston.
Bishop-elect Bransfield, 61, was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia May 15, 1971 by the late John Cardinal Krol.
A Philadelphia native, the bishop-elect was educated in the Philadelphia archdiocesan school system and conducted his studies for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pa., where he received a master’s degree in divinity. He later earned a master’s degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
The bishop-elect was assigned to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as Director of Liturgy in 1980 and was named its Director of Finance in 1982. He became the National Shrine’s tenth executive director in 1986.
Pope John Paul II named Bishop-elect Bransfield a Prelate of Honor in 1987. He was made the Shrine’s first rector in 1990 when the Pope designated the Shrine a Basilica.
Bishop-elect Bransfield will become the eighth bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, a diocese that encompasses the state of West Virginia, succeeding Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt. His episcopal ordination and installation is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2005, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
In a message posted at the National Shrine's website, Bishop-elect Bransfield said: “I am honored and deeply grateful to the Holy Father for entrusting me with the pastoral care of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.”
“I look forward to serving the faithful of West Virginia, and to growing with them in holiness and grace. I ask their prayers for me and pledge my fervent prayers for them. Wheeling-Charleston is a vast diocese with a long and noble history. I look forward to discovering more about it and to becoming a part of the fabric of its community,” he said.
Letter to the Editor (Seattle Catholic) (8/26/03) Dear Editor,
I do not believe the Statement of the National Basilica in regard to their denial of permission to the FSSP is sincere.
Just three years ago, during a National March for Life in Washington DC, I heard a rumor that a Traditional Latin Mass was to be celebrated at the Shrine the morning of the March. When I inquired in which side chapel it was to be offered, I was directed to the Liturgy Office, were I spoke with the assistant director.
He was so full of opprobrium and prejudice against the Traditional Latin Mass and spoke so openly and favorable of the modernist errors on the liturgy, that the recent denial to the FSSP is no suprise to me.
The Statement appears rather to be an attempt to placate benefactors of the Shrine and excuse their own prejudice. They should be more honest and say they are bigots and modernists, so that the laity may know who to send their money to the next time the get a mailing from the National Shrine Director.
Sincerely in Christ, Br. Alexis Bugnolo
Another disappointing promotion.
Anyone starting to see a pattern here?
Between this and Wilton Gregory, things aren't looking very positive today.
In his defense, if being a leftist sympathizer, trad-hater, Kerry supporter, financial mis-manager, heretic or gay-promoter were diqualifyers to running a diocese poppy would only have a meager handful of bishops to choose from.
I was so sure that Monsignor Danny Thomas, also from Philadelphia, would be promoted to bishop this time around. I fear McCarrick has become the kingmaker.
"Another disappointing promotion."
I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. On the one hand this maladministration of the Church may just hasten the demise of the whole Conciliar edifice.
On the other hand, how many more souls will be lost because of the actions and inactions of evil shepherds?
This is exactly why it is our duty (by "our" I mean all Catholics) as the church militant to move as many over to the tradtional/orthodox faith as possible.
Although some are in abject denial, it's become glaringly apparent that we'll get no help from our compromised leadership.
"The bishop-elect was assigned to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as Director of Liturgy in 1980 and was named its Director of Finance in 1982. He became the National Shrine’s tenth executive director in 1986."
fssp vs natl shrine (8/26/03)
Editor (Seattle Catholic):
In the mid 80s I attended some kind of an event at night at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It was not a Mass, but a popular Catholic singer/entertainer John Michael Talbot. There was a woman in a light, whispy and flowing dress who danced around part of the time of the musical performance. The audience was involved in motion and chorus, as I recall.
Also in the mid 80s at the National Shrine, during the daytime, I attended an event there which invited non-Catholics. I sat in a pew next to a Jewish man, who was stressed out. Lots of speakers. Then everyone stood and sang "We shall overcome".
But they can't find it in their hearts to allow FSSP to say the trad Mass there! They put forth their reasons for this; and, just like the "clarity" of the V2 docs, they shuffle the responsibility onto some increasingly abstract series of concepts. They remove any personal responsibility from their decision. What cowardly people!
Now that I think of it, the first time I went to Confession at the Shrine, there were two voices on the other side, and they argued with each other over how to respond to me.
Yet another time I asked the Christian Brother, who was in charge of questions and answers at the Shrine, about the fact that a friend of mine, a Methodist, would go to noon Mass and receive holy Communion. The brother explained to me that it is ok for non-Catholics to take Holy Communion in some situations. He was vague about it, and had no problem with it at all.
Even Cdl Ratzinger, as your link reads, in his EWTN interview points the blame for problems precisely on the personally evasive behavior of the bishops of this nation. The Natl Shrine excuse demonstrates it perfectly.
John L. Sillasen
You can't blame it all on McCarrick. The above events occured while Bransfield was in some role of authority at the Shrine.
Ping!
The reason has become glaringly obvious.
That's partially true. It commemorates Our Lady's appearance at Pontmain during the Franco-Prussian War. It's way too modern for my tastes.
That's right; on this point I can't complain. It was asked for; he gave it. And he didn't have to, either. Really it was downright nice of him.
Actually, it was Cardinal Hickey who gave the original permission for the Tridentine Mass.
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