Abuse Allegations False  The Roman Catholic bishop of West
Virginia wrote in an email to supporters Monday that he is
grateful that two men have come forward to defend him against
allegations that he sexually abused one of them in the 1970s,
and that their assertions provide proof that he's innocent. In
an email to clergy, parishioners and employees of the Diocese of
Wheeling-Charleston, Bishop Michael Bransfield said he has never
abused anyone. The letter also was posted on the diocese
website. It comes after allegations surfaced during a recently
completed Philadelphia priest-abuse trial in which a witness
testified that a priest who abused him told him that Bransfield
was sexually involved with a young teen. The alleged victim and
another man told The Philadelphia Inquirer in a story published
Sunday that the allegations were false. Bransfield remains under
investigation for another claim, which he denies.