Our aim is to address serious allegations against Fr. Day, allegations which have shaken our congregation and threatened the well-being of our church community. Specifically, Fr. Day was under investigation for abuse related to an affair with a pregnant congregant. These allegations have raised deep concerns about the leadership within our church.
Although the diocese has failed to take action, it is important to emphasize that we did not lie. We encourage the reader to decide for themselves whether Father Ben has committed any wrongdoing. The key questions remain: Was his wife ever a member of Christ Episcopal Church? And does their sexual affair, which began while she was pregnant and engaged to another congregant, constitute a violation of Title IV? These are critical issues that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness, as they have the potential to undermine the integrity of our church and jeopardize the safety of its members.
With heavy hearts, we recognize the severity of these accusations, not just for those directly involved but for the broader church community. As members of Christ Episcopal Church, we cherish the trust placed in our leadership and the sanctity of our shared mission to spread the love of Christ. We are committed to telling the whole truth—presented clearly and without embellishment—about these events.
Violations of Safe Church Guidelines and Title IV
These guidelines are published and advertised by the diocese, and it is through such representations that the church recruits new members and raises money. It is imperative that the church uphold the very values it advertises and enforces its own rules. Clergy are strictly prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with members of their congregation. This conduct is a clear violation of Title IV, which sets the standards for clergy behavior within the Episcopal Church. Father Day, like all clergy, is required to complete Safe Church training, which explicitly prohibits sexual exploitation.
According to the Diocesan Policies for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation of Adults, any sexual relationship between a clergy member and a person with whom they have a pastoral relationship is considered exploitation. A pastoral relationship is defined as one between a clergy member and anyone who:
- Attends a congregation or ministry setting where the clergy member serves, or
- Seeks spiritual guidance from the clergy member.
Timeline of Events and Allegations
The timeline highlights a series of troubling events involving pregnant congregant Mallory Thagard Day (then Hamilton), Father Ben Day, and allegations of misconduct, including Father Ben’s affair with Mallory, which led to the breakup of her engagement. It is important to note that Mallory had joined the church and attended regularly with her fiancé and children, further complicating the situation. These actions, in violation of Title IV, are compounded by child abuse reports and the eventual marriage of Father Ben to Mallory. However, their marriage does not erase the sins and violations of Title IV, as the misconduct remains a serious breach of the Episcopal Church’s standards for clergy conduct.
Spring 2022:
Mallory Thagard Hamilton (now Mallory Thagard Day) joins Christ Episcopal Church while pregnant, bringing her three children and fiancé. The family quickly becomes known within the congregation, as children are an integral part of our community.
December 2022:
Mallory’s engagement is broken off, and she gives birth to her child. At the same time, a daughter who had been scheduled to participate in the church’s Christmas pageant disappears and is never heard from again.
Late 2022 – Early 2023:
Fr. Ben Day becomes romantically involved with Mallory, even though she was still pregnant. By January 2023, Fr. Day moves out of his residence located on church property and into Mallory’s luxury home. It seems unlikely that their romantic relationship began just after her child’s birth, but we can personally confirm that their relationship began while Mallory was still pregnant. Neighbors also reported seeing Fr. Ben frequently visiting Mallory at her home during this time.
This affair undoubtedly contributed to the instability in Mallory’s home, and during this period, police reports of child abuse surfaced, leading to one of the children being removed from her custody and placed with a relative out of state. The affair, combined with the resulting family turmoil, highlights the damaging impact of Fr. Ben’s actions.
Fall 2023:
Fr. Ben Day and Mallory marry at Christ Episcopal Church in Kennesaw, GA. We can personally confirm that Mallory, whom Fr. Day married, is the same individual who first joined the church under her previous name, Mallory Thagard Hamilton.
The Evidence
- Photo of Fr. Ben and Mallory Thagard Day: While we acknowledge their marriage, it does not erase Fr. Day’s misconduct, which remains a clear violation of Title IV. Allowing this marriage to absolve his actions would suggest that any clergy member who engages in abuse could simply marry and have their wrongdoing forgiven, which is unacceptable.
Ben Day, perjuring priest - Church Service Video (April 2022): A blurry video shows Mallory attending church while pregnant with her fiancé. Several other videos from the same day clearly show her children and fiancé, which we personally witnessed.
- Church Newsletter (May 2022): A newsletter written by Fr. Ben Day that welcomed Mallory into the church.
Ben Day, perjuring priest - Church Service Photo (August 2022): A photo showing a pregnant Mallory (Father Ben’s new wife) attending church with her then-fiance.
Ben Day, perjuring priest - Photos and Directory: Additional evidence includes a church directory with a photo of Mallory and her fiancé, as well as personal experiences of sharing meals with Mallory and her family at church.
- Email from Father Ben (May 2024): An email has been obtained in which Father Ben, during his failed campaign for local political office, responds to a concerned voter by denying that his wife was ever a member of Christ Episcopal Church. However, the evidence and eyewitness reports clearly prove otherwise. Laughably, Father Ben persists in the false claim that he has ever operated a political consulting firm— a claim thoroughly debunked by Anglican Watch, as detailed in their interim report: https://www.anglicanwatch.com/interim-report-atlanta-bishop-rob-wright-and-the-kennesaw-debacle/
Ben Day, perjuring priest
Legal Proceedings and Court Cases
Beyond the abuse allegations, Fr. Ben Day was involved in a court case with the father of Mallory’s child. The case was initiated by Fr. Day, accusing the father of sending him a lewd email. In the email, the father shared details of Mallory’s sexual history with Fr. Day. While we do not believe that the email constitutes harassment, we do believe that Fr. Ben exploited this incident to deflect attention from his own misconduct and further conceal his affair with Mallory, a member of his congregation.
In the context of Georgia’s harassment law (Section 16-11-39.1), the use of electronic communication for harassment or intimidation is prohibited. However, the legal case itself is distinct from the broader issue of Fr. Day’s actions as a clergy member and his violation of Title IV.
During a court hearing in Cobb County, Marietta, the judge remarked that if Mallory had been a member of the church, it would have significant legal ramifications. Both Fr. Day and Mallory denied this under oath. However, we can personally attest that Mallory, along with her children and fiancé, were indeed members of Christ Episcopal Church. By denying this membership under oath, Fr. Day committed perjury.
This false testimony has had serious consequences, leading to an innocent man facing criminal charges due to the deceit and misconduct of Fr. Day and Mallory.
Title IV Review and the Diocese’s Inaction
We understand the need for due process in handling allegations of this nature, but it’s essential that the church maintains transparency, integrity, and accountability throughout the process. Christ Episcopal Church has always been a place of healing, and those values must be upheld, even during times of crisis.
Unfortunately, the Diocese of Atlanta has failed to hold Fr. Ben Day accountable for his actions, particularly his sexual misconduct in violation of Title IV. The evidence is clear that Fr. Ben’s wife was a member of the congregation before their marriage, and their relationship, which began while she was pregnant with another man’s child and still a member of the church, constitutes a violation of church policy regarding clergy and sexual abuse. This lack of meaningful consequences only raises further questions about the leadership and oversight within the Diocese.
The Diocese’s review panel statement, which found no wrongdoing, is deeply troubling. As Christians, we believe the effects of Fr. Ben’s actions extend beyond the individual victims to the entire church community. We urge all faithful members, especially those following Anglican Watch, to carefully review the available evidence and consider whether the Diocese’s decision truly serves the best interests of the church and its mission.
A Call for Accountability
As members of Christ Episcopal Church, we remain unwavering in our commitment to holding church leadership accountable. While times of crisis can be difficult, we believe that transparency, accountability, and confronting wrongdoing are essential to preserving the integrity of our church. We will never stop working to reclaim our church from the grip of sin and deceit that you, Fr. Ben, and your wife, have brought into our community.
We continue to pray for healing, justice, and restoration for all those affected by these events. We also ask for the prayers and support of our broader Christian community as we navigate this painful chapter together. Although the road ahead is difficult, we trust that, through God’s guidance, our church will emerge stronger, more faithful, and more dedicated to its mission of love and service.
Furthermore, we call for you to resign from the church and step down from your position as a priest altogether. It is clear that you are not suited for the priesthood, given your actions, which include lies, deceit, and sexual abuse in direct violation of Title IV. Your betrayal of the trust placed in you has caused immeasurable harm.
In addition, we know that you committed perjury to cover up your affair with the pregnant fiancée of a congregant, and this act of dishonesty further undermines your credibility and integrity as a leader. You have shown a blatant disregard for the sacred responsibility of your position and for the welfare of the individuals you are meant to serve.
The truth cannot be hidden, and your continued presence in the church only perpetuates the pain and damage that you have caused. We implore you to make the right decision for the future of our community and for your own soul. We will not rest until justice is served, and until our church is once again a place of healing, faith, and truth.
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