Dino Cardelli, Former Calvary Chapel Pastor in Arcata, Convicted of Molesting Stepdaughters

By Gustavo Arellano Tue., Aug. 30 2011 at 9:20 AM

Last week, a judge in Humbolt County sentenced Dino Cardelli to the maximum sentence allowed--18 years--for molesting his two stepdaughters. This story is about as disgusting as you can get--Cardelli tried to convince one daughter that his rapes were biblically justified, and his wife committed suicide out of shame for what Cardelli did--and the best account out there is in the Eureka Times-Standard.

But what matters for us naranjeros is that Cardelli was part of the brotherhood that is Calvary Chapel's senior pastors.

Cardelli was a graduate of Calvary Chapel Bible College, and Chuck Smith must've seen something in the pervert, because he allowed Cardelli to start Calvary Chapel Arcata in 1995, even though he had just recently graduated. Sources tell the Weekly Cardelli was a regular at the annual Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor's Conference, where Smith checks in with the people trusted to carry His word.

Calvary Chapel Arcata has scrubbed all references to Cardelli from his website, but you can still hear his sermons over at this Calvary Chapel South Maui-run website. To quote the late, great Wally George: SICK SICK SICK!

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Bondservantjesusfreak

The person who made this article is probley in a cult. Calvary chapel church of arcata counciled me through drug addiction and into seven years sobriety and most important a relationship with Jesus Christ you need more prayer than Dino....

Jstasur

As horrific as his actions were; the precious blood of Jesus can cover his sins . . . and mine . . and yours.

Iamdaniella

That is true. However, by you saying that it comes across as your playing down his actions.

Jstasur

No . . just 'playing up' the forgiveness of Jesus.

Jstasur

As horrific as his actions were; the precious blood of Jesus can cover his sins.

moreintheknowthanintheknow

they were his adopted kids, doesnt matter really tho its still sick.

intheknow

Get your facts right. They weren't step daughters.

20ftJesus

I can imagine what this asshat used as the justification for raping his stepdaughters, and rationalizing the death of his wife -- Genesis 19.

Jenifer gattis

This is EXACTLY why Smith's lawyers have instructed him to act as a "non- denomational" Christan church. With out a centralized organization, Chuck's money is safe!

Guest

I am certain everyone connected to Calvary, near or far, is sickened by this. It may have been better to alert those who manage the page that his sermons were still up rather than causing a perception that anyone from Calvary would still support him in ministry. I understand that this is a blog post and not a journalistic piece but I believe industry standards would be to alert Calvary to the error and allow them to correct this.

gustavoarellano

Yeah, "journalistic" standards are to let evil-doers know of their deeds before we can tell the world about it. That might work in Chuck's kingdom, but not on our books...