The Millstone: Week of November 1, 2026

This week: The Archdiocese of New York agrees to an $800 million settlement, a Polish bishop becomes the first in his country to be convicted for failing to report abuse, and the Diocese of Alexandria's bankruptcy disclosure is rejected.

Archdiocese of New York agrees to $800 million settlement

The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to an $800 million settlement with approximately 1,300 survivors who allege they were sexually abused by clergy. The Freedom From Religion Foundation notes this is the second-largest settlement involving a Catholic archdiocese in U.S. history. The agreement follows more than seven years of litigation and is expected to be formally signed in early November. It underscores the financial consequences of decades of institutional secrecy and failures to protect children from sexual predators within the church.

Read more at FFRF

Polish bishop convicted for failing to report abuse

Bishop Andrzej Jeż of Tarnów has been found guilty in the first ruling of its kind in Poland for failing to promptly inform law enforcement about child sex abuse allegations against priests under his authority. The court handed him a non-custodial sentence requiring him to donate 25% of his earnings for two years to a charity supporting victims. The Diocese of Tarnów announced it disagrees with the ruling and will file an appeal. The verdict also orders Jeż to pay 20,000 złotys to the foundation.

Read more at SNAP · BishopAccountability

Court rejects Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy plan

Bankruptcy Judge John Hodge has denied the Diocese of Alexandria's motion for approval of its Chapter 11 disclosure statement, ruling that it contains significant legal defects that cannot be cured by additional disclosure. The judge stated that soliciting votes on the plan as currently drafted would be futile and needlessly expend estate resources. Several plaintiffs had objected early in the process. The rejection delays the diocese's resolution and requires further legal steps before the church can emerge from bankruptcy.

Read more at SNAP

Arrests and charges

Amherst, NY: Former executive pastor John A. Camardo, III, was sentenced to eight years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two children. He must register as a sex offender upon release. BishopAccountability

Brooklyn, NY: Paul Lewis, founder of Messengers for Christ World Healing Center, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl from his congregation who was 11 when the abuse began. SNAP

Columbia, SC: Zachary Turnage, a Midlands church daycare worker, was charged with second-degree assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after inappropriate texts and images were found on a child's phone. SNAP

Tucson, AZ: Jose Mora was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted sexual conduct with a minor. He is a suspect in the Golden Dawn Tabernacle Church congregation and must register as a sex offender. SNAP

Yenagoa, Nigeria: Pastor Ambros Mark was arrested for allegedly defiling two girls aged 13 and 14 who were members of his church. The case came to light after the 14-year-old girl disclosed the abuse to her father, a police officer. SNAP

Pelzer, SC: Tracy Black, a self-proclaimed pastor, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation. He previously allowed a convicted sex offender to be a prominent member of his congregation. SNAP

Mangaluru, India: Father Cyprian Pinto was granted bail after being accused of sexually abusing minor boys at the St Vincent Ferrer Church. The local bishop was reportedly aware of the allegations two months before the First Information Report was registered. BishopAccountability

Arlington, TX: A second woman is suing Koinonia Christian Church and lead pastor Ronnie Goines, alleging he groomed and sexually assaulted her. The lawsuit claims the assault occurred at his home and hers after they met in Dallas. BishopAccountability

Paramus, NJ: A former student filed a new lawsuit accusing Paramus Catholic High School of covering up sexual abuse by former gym teacher and hockey coach Bernard Garris, who is credited with more than 20 accusers. BishopAccountability

Sheffield, UK: Former church leader Stephen Timmis and his wife Janet have been charged with eight counts of rape against one victim. The offenses are alleged to have taken place between May and September 2008 while Stephen was a leader at the Crowded House Church. BishopAccountability

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Charges are allegations. Everyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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How this is made: The Millstone uses AI to help gather, sort, and draft stories from public news reports. Every story links to its original source.