Rebel News returned to Bathurst to continue investigating the August 24 destruction of Saint-Simon’s historic Catholic church, built in 1917 on New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula.

Gilles Mallet, originally from Saint-Simon, has been charged with arson. The allegation has not been proven in court, and he remains presumed innocent.

But Rebel News has been examining what happened during the years Mallet spent in British Columbia.

According to members of his family, Mallet had experienced previous psychotic episodes. His sister told Rebel News she had intervened on multiple occasions and believed marijuana use may have contributed to his mental-health crises.

Mallet later became deeply involved in Indigenous spirituality, ceremonies and activism in British Columbia. Sources have identified Chief Rueben George and Chief Darrell Bob as influential figures in that environment.

One former community member described some ceremonies as “witchcraft” and alleged that extreme anti-Christian narratives were promoted, including disturbing claims involving residential schools. Those allegations have not been independently verified by Rebel News.

Sources also allege that activists Stacy Gallagher and Chris Gee were in Saint-Simon before the fire, although their presence alone does not establish any involvement in a crime.

The most striking evidence remains footage apparently recorded as the church burned, in which Mallet can be heard saying: “Stacy… Stacy Gallagher, your wish comes true.”

What “wish” was he referring to?

Rebel News believes those connections and allegations warrant scrutiny as investigators determine whether Mallet acted entirely on his own or whether outside influences played any role.

Mallet is now back before the courts, although a publication ban restricts what can currently be reported about the proceedings.

Rebel News will continue investigating at SaveOurChurches.ca.

Please donate to support our investigation into Canada's church arsons!

Fire destroyed All Saints Orthodox Church in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan — built by Ukrainian immigrants in the 1950s — on the night of September 30. The cause has not been determined, and Rebel News founder Ezra Levant is heading there to report from the ashes: a flight to Saskatoon, a three-hour drive and a same-day turnaround to get the story out fast.

When a church burns in a small town most newsrooms have never heard of, Rebel News shows up. This kind of journalism costs money — flights, fuel, accommodations. If you believe it matters, please chip in to help cover Ezra's trip to Meadow Lake and keep our reporters on the road, shining a light on a crisis the mainstream media would rather you never see.

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