Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

10 December 2025

Statement from the Most Reverend William R. Cavins, Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, on the Tragic Shootings in Kentucky

To the Honorable Governor of Kentucky and to the People of the Commonwealth:

With a heavy heart, I write to express profound sorrow and solidarity following the senseless shootings and loss of life that have shaken your communities. Violence of this nature wounds not only the victims and their families but the entire fabric of society. Every life is sacred, and every act of violence diminishes our shared humanity.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers and to uphold the dignity of every person. In this moment of grief, I urge all people of goodwill to join in prayer for the victims, for those who mourn, and for healing in Kentucky. Let us also commit ourselves to the hard work of building communities where peace, justice, and compassion prevail over hatred and fear.

Governor, I pledge the prayers and support of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, for you and all leaders as you guide the Commonwealth through this time of sorrow. May wisdom and courage accompany every effort to prevent such tragedies and to foster a culture of life and hope.

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

December 5, 2025

Pastoral Statement from the Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

Reformed Catholic Church

On the Scheduled Execution of Stacey Humphreys

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

We have learned that the State of Georgia has scheduled the execution of Stacey Humphreys for December 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This decision comes after the signing of a death warrant on December 3. Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the gravity of this moment.

First, we hold in prayer the victims of the tragic crimes and their families, whose suffering and loss cannot be measured. We acknowledge their pain and the deep wounds that violence leaves behind. As a Church, we stand with all who grieve and seek healing, and we recommit ourselves to supporting victims and their loved ones with compassion and care.

At the same time, we affirm the teaching that every human life is sacred, from its beginning to its natural end. The Gospel calls us to uphold the dignity of all persons, even those who have committed grave harm. Taking a life through state-sanctioned execution does not restore justice; rather, it perpetuates a cycle of violence. True justice seeks accountability, yes, but also mercy and the possibility of redemption.

We urge the faithful to pray for Stacey Humphreys in these final days, that he may experience conversion of heart and reconciliation with God. We also pray for those entrusted with carrying out this sentence, that they may be guided by conscience and compassion.

As followers of Christ, let us witness to the power of life over death, forgiveness over vengeance, and hope over despair. May our voices and actions reflect the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

November 27, 2025

A Thanksgiving Message to the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

Beloved siblings in Christ,

As we gather around tables of gratitude this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with joy for the blessings we share as a community of faith. In every act of kindness, in every prayer lifted, and in every moment of service, we see the grace of God at work among us.

Let us remember the words of Scripture:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NRSVUE)

May this season renew our commitment to compassion, justice, and love. Wishing each of you, our faithful members, lay leaders, and clergy a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

November 22, 2025

A Pastoral Letter on the Death Penalty

From the Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

Reformed Catholic Church

Concerning the Execution of Richard Barry Randolph in Florida

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Beloved in Christ,

Our hearts are heavy as we reflect upon the execution carried out by the State of Florida on Richard Barry Randolph (Malik Abdul-Sajjad). Events such as this confront us with painful questions about justice, mercy, accountability, and the unshakeable dignity of every human being. As your bishop, entrusted with the pastoral and teaching office within the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, I write to offer guidance and a word of Gospel-centered hope.

At the trial of Jesus, the Roman authorities pressed the religious leaders for a legal basis to demand His death. Their reply, recorded with stark clarity in John 18:31, is: “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

This line speaks with prophetic force today. Even in the deeply imperfect legal systems of the ancient world, there was a recognition that taking a life is an extraordinary act, one that falls under the most serious moral scrutiny. It reminds us that no human law or institution possesses the ultimate authority to extinguish a life made in the image of God.

In addition, this verse echoes the wider Gospel message seen in passages such as John 8, where Jesus disarms a crowd bent on executing a woman, saying: “Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone.” Again and again, Christ interrupts cycles of retribution and replaces them with compassion, accountability, restoration, and mercy.

In the Reformed Catholic tradition, we hold that:

• Every human person retains God-given dignity, even when they have committed grave harm.
• Justice must be restorative, seeking truth, accountability, and the healing of victims rather than the replication of violence.
• Modern society possesses non-lethal means of protecting the public, ensuring safety without ending a human life.
• The Gospel’s command to mercy is not optional; it is the truest expression of Christian justice.

Therefore, the Reformed Catholic Church opposes capital punishment and calls the faithful to advocate for alternatives that protect society while respecting the sacredness of life.

The execution of Richard Barry Randolph brings grief to our diocesan family in several dimensions:

• We grieve for the victims of the crime, for their families, and for all who continue to live with trauma and profound loss.
• We pray for the soul of Richard Barry Randolph, trusting that even the most troubled life is known to God, and that grace can reach into any heart.
• We acknowledge the suffering of correctional officers, chaplains, medical personnel, and officials required to participate in executions, actions that often leave lasting moral and emotional wounds.
• We lament the moral cost to our society, which is diminished whenever violence is answered with violence.

Executing a person does not restore life, heal wounds, or truly satisfy justice as the Gospel envisions it. True justice is measured not by how effectively we punish, but by how faithfully we uphold human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and create conditions for repentance, reconciliation, and healing.

John 18:31 speaks across the centuries, reminding us that life and death ultimately belong to God alone. The early Church’s refusal to participate in executions was not separate from the Gospel, it was a direct consequence of it.

For Christians, mercy does not erase accountability, but it transforms the way we pursue justice. It insists that even the guilty remain children of God. It demands that punishment never crosses the threshold into killing. It calls us to imitate Christ, who conquered death not by inflicting it, but by transforming it through love.

I ask the clergy, religious, and laity of our diocese to respond in the following ways:

Prayer

• Pray for the victim(s) of the crime and their families.
• Pray for the soul of Richard Barry Randolph (Malik Abdul-Sajjad).
• Pray for those who administer the death penalty.
• Pray for lawmakers to seek compassionate and life-honoring alternatives.

Pastoral Care

• Offer presence and support to families who suffer from violent crime.
• Minister to parishioners who work in corrections or justice systems, providing spiritual care as needed.

Education

• Teach the Gospel principles of mercy, dignity, and restorative justice in parishes and diocesan formation programs.
• Encourage study of Church teaching on life, justice, and the dignity of the human person.

Advocacy

• Encourage efforts toward reform that limit or abolish capital punishment.
• Support programs that provide healing and restoration to victims and their families.
• Promote criminal justice approaches that preserve life while ensuring accountability and public safety.

Beloved, the Gospel never teaches that some lives are beyond the reach of God’s love. The cross itself shows us a Redeemer who stood alongside the condemned and opened the door to paradise even in the final moments of a criminal’s life.

May our diocese stand as a witness to this radical mercy.

May we proclaim with courage that every life has worth.

And may our actions reflect the love of Christ, who came not to destroy life, but to save it.

In Christ’s Love,

+William

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Bishop

Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

Reformed Catholic Church

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

November 12, 2025

Statement from the Most Reverend William R. Cavins, Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, on the Mine Collapse in West Virginia

It is with deep concern and prayerful solidarity that we have received the news of the miners trapped underground in West Virginia. On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, which includes West Virginia, I wish to assure you, the miners, their families, and all those involved in rescue operations of our constant prayers.

We are praying earnestly for the miners’ safe return, for comfort and strength for their loved ones, and for courage and wisdom for all who labor tirelessly to bring them home.

The people of West Virginia, and especially those who work in the mines, embody the spirit of perseverance, faith, and community that inspires us all. Please know that we stand with you in hope, faith, and compassion during this time of trial.

May Almighty God protect the miners, sustain the rescuers, and bring peace to every anxious heart.

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

October 13, 2025

On the Tragic Shooting in South Carolina – October 12, 2025

Statement of the Most Rev. William R. Cavins

Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, I join all people of faith and goodwill in decrying the horrific violence that has once again shattered lives and communities, this time in South Carolina. The loss of life and the suffering of those injured and traumatized weigh upon us all.

No act of violence can ever bring peace, justice, or healing. It only deepens our collective wounds and distances us from the love to which God calls humanity. As disciples of Christ, we are reminded that every person, regardless of circumstance, is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity, compassion, and safety.

I call upon all the faithful of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, and our brothers and sisters throughout the nation, to pray for the souls of the departed, for comfort to those who mourn, and for healing to those who are wounded in body, mind, or spirit. Let our prayers also rise for the first responders and medical professionals who serve selflessly in moments of crisis.

May this tragedy awaken in us a renewed commitment to reject hatred and work unceasingly for peace, reconciliation, and the protection of all human life.

May the God of mercy, who wept at the tomb of His friend, bring consolation to all who grieve.

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

October 10, 2025

Statement from the Most Reverend William R. Cavins,
Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

On the Munitions Explosion in Tennessee

With deep sorrow, I have learned of the tragic munitions explosion that occurred in Tennessee. My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones, to those who have been injured, and to the families and communities now bearing the weight of grief and uncertainty.

We join together in prayer for the souls of those who have died, entrusting them to the mercy of God. We pray also for the wounded, for first responders, and for all who are laboring to bring aid, comfort, and healing in the wake of this devastating event.

Violence and destruction, whether intentional or accidental, remind us of the fragility of human life and our shared responsibility to seek peace and safety for all. May this tragedy move us to renewed compassion, deeper solidarity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting life at every stage.

May the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, comfort the people of Tennessee and all who mourn this day.

Most Rev. William R. Cavins, Founding Bishop

October 8, 2025

Pastoral Letter on the Harm of Conversion Therapy and the Misuse of Public Funds

To the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs

Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ, who calls us to love without condition and to uphold the dignity of every human being.

In recent months, our nation has witnessed renewed debate over the practice known as “conversion therapy,” particularly in light of a case before the Supreme Court challenging Colorado’s ban on such practices for minors. This moment compels us, as followers of Christ and stewards of justice, to speak clearly and compassionately about the grave harm caused by conversion therapy and the moral scandal of using taxpayer dollars to fund it.

Conversion therapy, also referred to as “sexual orientation change efforts” or “reparative therapy,” encompasses a range of practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices are rooted in the false and discredited belief that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer is a disorder to be cured. The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Medical Association have all formally rejected conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful. [www.psychiatry.org]

Decades of psychological research have shown that conversion therapy is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and trauma. A 2020 study found that only 3.2% of individuals reported even slight changes in sexual orientation after undergoing such efforts, while many reported long-term emotional damage. The harm stems not only from the methods used but from the underlying message: that one’s identity is unacceptable and must be changed. [www.apa.org]

It is especially troubling that, in some cases, public funds, including Medicaid dollars, have been used to support these practices. Legislation such as the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act (H.R. 4244) has been introduced to prevent this misuse of federal healthcare resources. As people of faith, we must insist that our shared resources be used to heal, not to harm; to affirm, not to shame; to liberate, not to oppress. [thanedar.house.gov]

Our Church teaches that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not pathologies to be corrected but aspects of the sacred diversity of human life. We affirm the goodness of LGBTQ+ people and reject any theology or therapy that seeks to erase their God-given identities.

To our clergy: I urge you to preach and teach with clarity and compassion on this issue. Let our communities be places of refuge and affirmation, where no one is told they must change who they are to be loved by God.

To our faithful: If you or someone you love has been harmed by conversion therapy, know that you are not alone. The Church stands with you. We grieve the pain you have endured and commit ourselves to justice, healing, and truth.

To our elected officials: We call upon you to end the use of public funds for conversion therapy and to enact laws that protect LGBTQ+ youth from these abusive practices. Let our policies reflect the best of our shared values: dignity, compassion, and respect for all.

May Christ, who welcomed the outcast and healed the brokenhearted, guide us in our witness. May the Holy Spirit empower us to speak truth in love. And may our Diocese be a beacon of hope for all who seek a Church that truly reflects the inclusive heart of God.

In Christ’s love,

✠ The Most Rev. William R. Cavins
Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs
Reformed Catholic Church