Second Title IV clergy disciplinary case filed against Episcopal priest Cayce Ramey. Meanwhile, Ramey holds “celebratory dinners” in conjunction with slavery. Seriously.

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has filed a second Title IV clergy disciplinary case against Cayce Ramey, the priest who claims to be engaging in a eucharistic fast over the Episcopal Church’s role in slavery. The second case alleges that Ramey violated a pastoral directive imposing administrative leave by attending the denomination’s 2024 General Convention, which was held in St. Louis, MO.

Hearing panel proceedings have been stayed in the second case pending the outcome of Ramey’s appeal to the Court of Review in his earlier Title IV case.

The stay is appropriate, as the Diocese will lack jurisdiction if Ramey is defrocked. In the meantime, if the Court of Review upholds the decision to defrock Ramey, there’s no point in spending additional time and money on a foregone conclusion.

As we have previously stated, we are not convinced that the original case will survive appeal. We are aware of no requirement in church canons for clergy to celebrate Mass. Nor has the Diocese provided evidence of a pastoral directive, which the bishop diocesan or the ecclesiastical authority of Virginia would have issued, requiring Ramey to say Mass.

That said, we have several related thoughts.

1. Ramey’s real goal in this appears to be credentialling. Specifically, he was, by all accounts, a feckless parish priest, indifferent to the well-being of his parishioners. Moreover, his self-serving nonsense about being a former Marine reeks of narcissism. Thus, his silly blather about how he’s being tried for being a heretic is nothing more than a lie intended to garner attention and establish his bona fides as an anti-racism consultant. To the contrary, he is being tried for what the Diocese of Virginia perceives to be a violation of church canons.
2. We maintain a cautious approach to the claim by the Diocese that priests are required to say Mass. Again, we see no support for this notion in the canons. And while eucharistic theology is foundational for the Episcopal Church, things can and should be more nuanced in practice. Specifically, while the church claims that liturgy can be transformational, we know plenty of clergy who say Mass faithfully yet are profoundly unethical. In other words, the Eucharist is but one component of a vibrant faith, and placing undue emphasis on celebrating Mass may have unhealthy theological and practical implications.
3. Even as a purported anti-racism consultant, Ramey appears to have slid into his seemingly habitual indifference. For example, he hasn’t updated his podcast or his website in almost four years—hardly indicative of a passion for racial justice. Or good marketing, for that matter. (Although this inertia may suggest depression—more on that in a moment.)
4. The very issues that Ramey appears to condemn — which are the denomination’s often transactional, money-based “solutions” to racism — appear at the heart of his consulting initiative. For example, Ramey offers a six-day “pilgrimage” to Ghana to learn about the slave trade for just under $4,000 per person. No doubt white supremacists tremble at the notion of 12 people undertaking this “transformative experience.”
5. Ironically, Ramey appears lily white tone-deaf on the issue of slavery, akin to people who choose to get married at an antebellum plantation. Specifically, his pilgrimage includes “opening and closing celebratory dinners.” We were not aware that the death, torture, and suffering inherent in slavery warrants celebratory events.

   

6. If Ramey is so concerned about the Episcopal Church’s failure to address racism and slavery, why is he hanging out at General Convention? Something about having his cake and eating it, too.
7. Despite our misgivings about the specifics of the Diocese of Virginia’s efforts to defrock Ramey, we believe the Diocese rightly wants to give Ramey the heave-ho. Yes, Susan Goff dropped the ball when she didn’t issue a written pastoral directive telling Ramey to celebrate Mass. Still, it’s very clear to us that the underlying issues with Ramey go far beyond those cited in the Title IV proceedings and include problems with his integrity and his lack of concern for those he purports to serve.
8. We reiterate our concerns about Ramey’s mental health, which we included in our previous coverage of this situation. While we are not in a place to reach any firm conclusions about these matters, a careful reading of the Title IV pleadings and supporting materials gives ample cause for concern. Hopefully, judicatories are taking steps to encourage Ramey to get appropriate mental health assessment and care.

We received no response to our request for comment from Ramey’s attorney, Jack W. Burtch, Jr., Esq.

Let’s hope that Ramey has the integrity to resign holy orders and quit wasting everyone’s time and money with his silly posturing. Not only is he doing nothing to end racism, but his antics are distracting from the need to address racism, gender inequality, pay disparity, the elevated levels of abuse LGBTQ+ face within the Episcopal Church, ineffectual governance within the denomination, and the highly conflictive nature of interpersonal relationships within the church.

In the meantime, for the love of the Almighty, would Ramey please quit holding celebratory events in conjunction with slavery?

It’s really not too much to ask.