An Episcopal priest who founded a Christian psychedelic organization after a magic mushroom experience has been kicked to the curb by his religious superiors over the drug’s legal status in the U.S.
Reverend Hunt Priest participated in a psilocybin study held by Johns Hopkins and New York University in 2016 and was so moved by his trip that he wanted to spread awareness about it. This immense enthusiasm for the natural psychedelic’s effects inspired him to leave his job at the parish and create the advocacy group “Ligare” in 2021.
On Aug. 5, Priest was officially expelled by the Episcopal Church for what the religious organization perceived as using his pastoral status to promote usage of psychedelic drugs. He had been a member for two decades.
Bishop Frank Logue of the Diocese of Georgia described it as “conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy,” according to a report from the Religion News Service. Also, “conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation,” as specified in the religious publication’s article.
Concerns also emerged about Ligare hosting a psychedelic retreat in the Netherlands with what concerned figures viewed as inadequate training. They perceived Priest to have a lack of concern for risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms, deeming him irresponsible.
“The long and short of it is that I felt there was a really reckless disregard for public safety and for considering the risks of psychedelic usage,” said Rev. Joe Welker in an interview with NPR. Welker is a former intern from Ligare who left over his feelings about the organization’s lack of concern regarding the dangers of bad trips and potential spiritual damage.
Priest’s expulsion follows a 13-month investigation inspired by a formal complaint filed by now Presbyterian pastor Welker. He has also been highly critical of the 2016 study Priest participated in.
Despite the criticism and conflict, Ligare adamantly believes that psilocybin can be highly beneficial for treating people with mental illnesses and addictions.
“Promising research into treating substance use disorders, end-of-life anxiety, as well as treatment-resistant depression and PTSD is re-fueling interest in psychoactive plants and fungi and their synthetic analogues,” the organization has stated.
The removal of Ligare’s founder from the priesthood highlights tensions brought about by the modern-day “psychedelic renaissance” and traditional religious institutions. Many other offbeat religious organizations in the United States have been integrating psychoactive substances into their worship practices and attracting condemnation because of it.
Read more: San Francisco psychedelic church shuts down over hostility from city officials
Read more: Colorado’s first psychedelic church opens its doors
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