In a decision released earlier today, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta declined to act in a Title IV case against Ben Day, the rector of Christ Church, Kennesaw, GA.
At issue is that various parties directly injured by Day’s alleged misconduct have declined to testify in the matter. While we understand the reasons for this, we have several related thoughts:
- The decision overlooks irrefutable evidence that Day is violating the previous Cobb County court order prohibiting him from drinking alcohol. Indeed, his own social media review of a restaurant in Alexandria VA states that he again consumes alcohol.
- We have heard from a number of parishioners who are troubled by Day’s behavior but fear retaliation. Based on Day’s alleged track record, that fear is not unwarranted. But to ignore his conduct is to give him power; as Christians, we are called to bring light to the darkness.
- Church records make clear that Day knew his current wife, Mallory, was in a relationship with another man, and 8.5 months pregnant to that man, when he had a purported sexual encounter with her.
- Church records make clear that Mallory was a parishioner when Day had intimate relations with her. Sexual conduct with a parishioner is per se abusive absent the prior consent of the bishop and appropriate steps for one party to leave the parish.
- Ben’s claim that Art Blackburn threatened him is, made to the Kennesaw Police Department and under oath in court is, to put it succinctly, BS. Feel free to quote us. The other word that comes to mind is “perjury.”
In other words, there’s documentation all over the place that shows the Day’s conduct is unacceptable, and we remain firm in our conclusion that Ben Day needs to go. Indeed, his various fabrications when running for local office, including his claim to run a non-existent political consulting firm, should be adequate to give him the heave-ho.
So, we are publishing the decision below—which, we note, omits the obligatory notice under church canons of the right to appeal.
In the meantime, we encourage church members to either speak up, or vote with their feet.
As to persons considering Christ Church Kennesaw as their spiritual home, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
It should not be this hard to get integrity from Episcopal clergy.
The parishioners and victims scared into silence by the “Christian” leadership.
This is a pathetic response from Rob Wright and co. How many times does Mallory need to attend Christ Church to be considered a parishioner?! Ben Day sent out a church newsletter with her full name welcoming her into the church. There are multiple published photos online of her pregnant self, her children, and her fiancé at the church. My family and I have eaten at church at the same table next to Mallory and Art. They were there!
I saw with my own eyes and ear that Father Ben Day, proclaimed in court and under oath that Mallory was never a parishioner. This is a lie!
Not to mention that Mallory was received into the denomination at Christ Church. In light of this, it is impossible to conclude with a straight face that a pastoral relationship did not occur.
In that context, ANY intimate relationship with a parishioner is inherently abusive, whether ostensibly consensual or otherwise.
Relatedly, we remind parishioners: You have the right to speak out. Do not let Ben’s manipulative, abusive, dishonest conduct intimidate or sway you. As Christians, we are called to bring light to the darkness—-which is not to say that the darkness will necessarily cooperate.