The Millstone: Week of October 25, 2026

This week: The New York Archdiocese nears an $800 million settlement, a former Rhode Island bishop faces abuse allegations, and a former Calvary Chapel pastor is arrested.

New York Archdiocese nears $800M settlement

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York is closing in on a settlement with 1,300 survivors to avoid bankruptcy. The agreement would pay more than $800 million to resolve claims of sexual abuse by clergy and lay leaders. Plaintiffs' lawyers finalized the deal, and all plaintiffs have signed off. Joseph Zwilling, the archdiocese spokesman, stated the parties are still working to finalize the agreement. The terms would call for the church to pay the specified amount to the survivors. This potential resolution comes as the archdiocese seeks to address the financial burden of numerous abuse claims.

Read more at BishopAccountability

Former RI bishop faces abuse allegations

A new lawsuit alleges that the late Bishop Louis E. Gelineau raped an altar boy at St. Luke’s Church in Barrington in the 1980s. The victim, now 56, said he had not talked about his experience before. Gelineau, who died in 2024 at age 96, oversaw a system where priests accused of abuse were moved from parish to parish. The former altar boy is suing the diocese for abuse he suffered from Gelineau and two other priests. The lawsuit revealed that Father Oscar Ferland sexually abused the victim between 1982 and 1987. Gelineau assaulted the victim twice while visiting the parish.

Read more at SNAP · BishopAccountability

Former Calvary Chapel pastor arrested

The former senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Montrose was arrested in connection with a case involving child sexual abuse. Benjamin Garate is no longer employed by the church and was removed from all pastoral duties and leadership responsibilities. According to court records, Garate has two hearings on Thursday afternoon. He is accused of several sex charges and child abuse. His bond was set at $60,000. The church stated it condemns sexual abuse in every form and has zero tolerance for exploitation or the misuse of spiritual authority. Calvary Chapel stated it supports a thorough investigation into the allegations against the former pastor.

Read more at SNAP

Arrests and charges

Williamsville, NY: Former executive pastor John Camardo III was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two children in Amherst. He pleaded guilty to rape in the second degree and course of sexual conduct against a child. SNAP

Zurich, Switzerland: The Reformed Church of Zurich apologized after admitting it failed to investigate reports of sexual assault by a vicar. An external investigation revealed at least ten women were victims of abuse between 1992 and 2006. SNAP

Karnataka, India: Police arrested Father Cyprian Pinto, parish priest of St. Vincent Ferrer Church, accused of sexually abusing minor boys. Investigators have identified five alleged victims. SNAP

Bolivia: The Bolivian Network of Church Abuse Survivors objected to the expulsion of laicized priest Francesc Peris from the Society of Jesus. They called the move a symbolic gesture that does not address Jesuit complicity in his misconduct. SNAP

Columbia, SC: Christian worship singer Richard Channing Shealy received a nine-count federal indictment for producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The charges follow 33 similar state charges. SNAP

Wilmington, DE: A jury returned guilty verdicts against former teacher Christopher Crisona for raping a student at St. Thomas the Apostle School in the 1990s. He faces a minimum of 47 years in prison. SNAP

Pawleys Island, SC: A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Pawleys Island Community Church and academy for allowing a registered sex offender to work on campus. The court found the plaintiffs failed to meet financial requirements. BishopAccountability

Lisbon, Portugal: All sex abuse claims against living Catholic priests in Portugal have been archived. Most cases were dismissed because the offenses were time-barred or had insufficient evidence for indictment. SNAP

Derry, Ireland: Fresh allegations emerged regarding the conduct of Father Edward Gallagher at Maynooth seminary. A former seminarian claimed Gallagher groomed him and made intrusive questions in the late 1990s. BishopAccountability

Lawton, OK: Lawton pastor James Lamont Newton was arrested and faces multiple felony sexual abuse and rape charges. He is accused of assaulting two juvenile males between 2010 and 2023. BishopAccountability

Belize: Pastor Kevin Tzib was remanded to Belize Central Prison after being charged with sexual assault and unnatural crime. He pleaded not guilty to six counts of sexual assault. BishopAccountability

Eastern Kentucky: Pastor Jared Salmons was indicted in federal court on charges of producing and possessing child pornography. He is accused of exploiting five minor victims in Knott County. BishopAccountability

Baltimore, MD: The Archdiocese of Baltimore and the survivors committee made progress in bankruptcy settlement talks. Mediation now includes parishes, schools, and affiliates, with a deal expected by year-end. BishopAccountability

See something we missed or got wrong? Report it here: send a tip or correction.

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

More from The DAM Show

Theocracy Watch: Christian nationalism in law and government. The bills, court cases, and politicians eroding the separation of church and state. Weekly. Add it to your subscription.

Burn something holy

Father Flanigan's Goat Scented Flesh Candle Leviticus says something has to burn. Goats are expensive. Light this instead. Made to order, $15.95. Get the candle

Or browse the full DAM Show merch store.

From the host

Anti-Theist: Against Religion Chris Mallard takes on the treatment of women in religion, the absurdities of the ancient texts, and the charlatans who use scripture to prey on the vulnerable. Paperback and Kindle. Get it on Amazon

Weekday mornings, 9 to 11 AM Eastern, on YouTube.

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.