West Virginia attorney general sues Catholic bishop, saying he 'knowingly employed pedophiles'

"Parents who pay and entrust the Wheeling-Charleston diocese and its schools to educate and care for their children deserve full transparency," Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said in a statement.

"Our investigation reveals a serious need for the diocese to enact policy changes that will better protect children, just as this lawsuit demonstrates our resolve to pursue every avenue to effectuate change as no one is above the law."

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, Morrisey said he opened an investigation last fall after a grand jury in Pennsylvania found evidence that more than 300 Catholic priests had abused children in that state since the 1950s. Most of the accusations dated to before 2002, when many Catholic dioceses in the United States instituted new child safety protocols.

CNN reached out to the diocese but did not receive an immediate response.

While more than 13 states are investigating the Catholic Church, Morrisey's is believed to be one of the first to use consumer protection laws to hold Catholic officials accountable.

Morrisey alleges that Bishop Michael Bransfield, who resigned in September amid allegations of sexual misconduct with adults, advertised a "safe environment" for children at Catholic programs and events.

"The Diocese, however, has a long history of not providing a safe learning environment for students in its schools and children attending its recreational camps," the lawsuit states.

Morrissey is seeking a judicial order restraining the Diocese of Charleston-Wheeling from violating the state's Consumer Credit and Protection Act, as well as a judgment and the imposition of monetary penalties against Bransfield and his former diocese.

The suit comes as the Catholic Church is facing clergy sexual abuse scandals on several continents. Last month, Pope Francis convened an unprecedented summit of Catholic leaders to address the crisis, but the meeting ended without concrete proposals.

Archhishop of Baltimore William Lori announced on March 11 that he had completed a five-month investigation of "multiple allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties" against Bransfield. The investigation was not made public. The Vatican is now expected to view the evidence.

"Pending the assessment of the findings of the Holy See," said Lorid, "I have directed that Bishop Bransfield is not authorized to exercise any priestly or episcopal ministry within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston."

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