The Millstone: Week of September 27, 2026
An insurer pays survivors directly, Chicago payouts pass $400 million, and two pastors face charges.
This week: an insurer pays survivors directly for the first time, Chicago's payouts pass $400 million, and two pastors face charges.
Winona-Rochester survivors collect $30 million straight from the insurer
More than 145 survivors of clergy abuse in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, will share $30 million paid by the diocese's insurer, U.S. Fire. The deal was announced September 4. The diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and had already agreed to a $28 million settlement; many of the cases date back to the 1970s. Attorney Jeff Anderson called it the first time survivors have been able to collect directly from the insurance company, a precedent other insurers will be watching.
Chicago Archdiocese payouts pass $400 million
On September 15, Jeff Anderson and Associates announced nine more settlements with the Archdiocese of Chicago, totaling $5.475 million. That pushes the archdiocese's payouts to survivors past $400 million over four decades. The firm also launched a national database of credibly accused clergy that survivors can search. The archdiocese noted most allegations involve incidents from 30 to 50 years ago.
Read more at National Catholic Reporter
Former Falls Church youth pastor indicted
Jeffrey Turner Taylor, 66, a youth pastor at a Falls Church, Virginia church from 1990 to 2002, has been indicted on federal child sexual abuse charges. Prosecutors allege he groomed boys by presenting his conduct as spiritual guidance, and took boys to ministry events in other states and countries, between 1990 and 2008. He also allegedly abused a boy while serving at two churches in Atlanta. Taylor faces up to 105 years if convicted; these are allegations and he is presumed innocent.
Kansas pastor arrested on sex abuse and witness intimidation charges
Wade Booth, 70, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pleasanton, Kansas since 2007, was arrested September 1 on felony charges including unlawful sexual relations with a minor and witness intimidation. His ministry ties reach back to the late 1970s across Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was booked into the Linn County Justice Center on a $750,000 bond. The charges are allegations.
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