Msgr. Raymond A. Barton
A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Msgr. Raymond A. Barton on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, 11 a.m., at St. Nicholas Church, Virginia Beach. Msgr. Barton, 82, died on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Msgr. Barton was a 1958 graduate of Holy Cross School, Lynchburg. He received his formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Richmond on May 14, 1966. He was named a monsignor in 1997.
Msgr. Barton was well-known for his ecumenical work, having served as the diocesan vicar for ecumenism and interreligious affairs from 1996-2010. He co-authored the State LARC (Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic) Covenant and was the first Catholic to serve as president of the Virginia Council of Churches.
Msgr. Barton served as associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, from 1966-1968. He was a member of faculty at St. John Vianney Minor Seminary, Richmond, from 1968-1973. His pastorates include Sacred Heart, Norfolk (1973-1977); Holy Comforter, Charlottesville (1989-1992 and 1993-1999); and St. Nicholas, Virginia Beach (1999-2011). He was also co-pastor of Church of the Holy Apostles, Virginia Beach, from 1977-1989.
Msgr. Barton retired from active ministry in 2011.
He is survived by a sister, Therese Barton Bayse.
He was preceded in death by sisters, June Barton Farrar and Della Barton Pestridge; brother, James Linwood Barton; and his parents.